The radiator is slowly fading out of use these days with the rise of more efficient heating systems and sophisticated air conditioners. In the 1970’s and 80’s houses were built using a system of radiators that pumped steam and hot water from a central boiler to heat sources in each room of the house that would then distribute the warmth. This method is inexpensive but sadly inefficient. As technology advanced in the home building industry both the single-pipe radiator and the double design became obsolete.

Out of the two types of design the double radiators were the more advanced. Rather than using a single coil to pump water and steam they would pump steam through one coil and water through another. The double coils allowed the radiator to heat up faster and warm the room more effectively. The only problem was they became extremely hot.

Even though the technology is falling out of practical use many people still purchase double radiators today. There are three reasons you might want to purchase an old double radiator even with the existence of better technology: cost, aesthetics, and oddball functionality.

Inexpensive Heat Source:

The cost of heating a home with the latest central heating technology can be expensive. Water and steam are an abundant resource that can be recycled to save on cost. Double radiators are an inexpensive and eco-friendly solution to heating your home, particularly if the home was built before the new technology took hold of the market.

Vintage House Reconstruction:

The appeal of classic architecture in homes will never go away and decorators have been taking advantage of the look of vintage double radiators for a while now. In order to complete the vintage look of a room you need to have all of the old hardware. Even if you heat your home with advanced technology you can still get the look of a previous era by installing radiators. Antique dealers and collectors are able to make their living selling refurbished vintage radiators to customers with a taste for the old.

Extra Food Warming Space:

Radiators don’t always have to be used to heat a room, they can heat just about anything. One of the more out of the ordinary uses for double radiators can be found in the catering industry. People may throw a large dinner party and run out of space to store food on the stove or on the table. If you need to keep food warm before serving it you can set it down on a working radiator and it will act as a simmering stove. Clever uses like this have allowed sales to stay afloat even while the technology falls out of existence.

Runtal Radia RTR-2924-R001 Hydronic Towel Radiator–Over $300 may seem a bit expensive for a towel heater, but you are paying for quality, here, which is why the Runtal towel radiator is one of the best you can buy. The panels are very easy to clean, and it runs quietly, which means you don’t have to deal with any annoying noises while you are in the bathroom. There is even a timer on it so you can set it to work just for the length of time you plan on being in the bathroom. Some people even find ways to use the Runtal Radia in the laundry room. It helps to dry your wet towels rather quickly, too, so they don’t get a musty smell.

Premium Chrome Curved Heated Bathroom Towel Radiator Rail—Measuring 59 by 19.75 inches, this towel radiator will do everything you need it to do. However, it is one of the more expensive models on the market, coming in at nearly $500. This radiator features an output of 457 watts, and it can even be plumbed directly into your central heating system so it works along with the rest of the heat in your home. There is a 5-year guarantee on the product.

Towel Radiator (White)—This may be one of the most expensive towel radiators on the market, as it costs approximately $1,400. However, it is quite powerful and works on both the towels as well as the room. 600 watts should be plenty for this particular towel radiator.

Towel radiators can come in handy during any time of the year. While they are mostly beneficial during the winter months, you can get endless use out of them all year round.

Delonghi TRD0715T Safe Heat Oil-Filled Radiator – this particular radiator costs about $74.95, which is a very efficient price to pay for a lot of heat. In fact, you know that you are saving money by using this because it is energy-efficient. Of course, for safety reasons, it has been permanently sealed so nobody can hurt themselves on hot parts sticking out. It is made from rustproof metal, and it also features back panel controls so you can set the heating levels just where you want them to be.

Optimus H-6010 Portable Filled Radiator Heater – Coming in at $36.35, this special radiator never needs refilling, and it never leaks any oil out of it. It has three different heat settings, one at 600, 900, and 1500 watts. The automatic thermostat control is another nice touch. A power indicator light is a great thing to have, because it tells you when the heater is on and when it is not. This is designed to be easily portable.

New HW Oil Filled Radiator (Indoor & Outdoor Living) – Paying over £200 for an oil radiator may seem outrageous, but this one has incredible features that you should not pass up. It has a very nice thermostat, and it works for spot heating as well as helping to heat your whole room. It is very handy to have on the cold winter nights when your room is very frigid.

Ace Midea Fans HO-0221 Oil-Fill Radiator Heater – With a price tag of just $49.99, this oil filled heater is a great deal indeed. It has 3 heat settings, 7 fins, and an adjustable thermostat so you can control how hot your room is.

No matter what you are seeking in an oil filled radiator, these four are quite incredible devices. They should be able to help you save money on your heating bills this winter.

Reasons to Opt for Cast Iron Radiators

Image by Scott Robinson

Cast iron is known for its high specific heat count that makes it the perfect material to be used for making radiators. Good heat capacity means greater ability to store and radiate heat so that it warms up the surrounding air and gradually heats up the entire room. Materials with a lower specific heat would take longer time to heat up and hence would not be very energy efficient. Using cast iron radiators helps in reducing the carbon footprint as they can be hooked up with natural sources of energy without any problem. Once you switch off cast iron radiators they lose their heat gradually and therefore they are one of the most consistent and constant sources of heat energy.

Things to Look for When Buying Cast Iron Radiators

Every cast iron radiator available in the market is made up of certain basic components irrespective of shape, size or style. However, you need to pick up a model that matches well with your overall home décor and the size of the room that it has to heat. For bigger rooms you would need to pick up a radiator that has a greater number of columns and coils so that the device has a greater surface area. The larger the surface area, the greater the heat output and. Other things to look for besides selecting the shape and design of your cast iron radiator is to ensure that it has been tested and cleared as per European or American standards and that it comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.

Advantages of Installing Cast Iron Radiators

From Victorian tubular radiators to sleek and stylish flat panel modern designs, you have a variety of options to select from if you want to buy a cast iron radiator. If you live in an old home that already has an iron heating system then you can make it more efficient by pairing it with a natural resource boiler. Not only will this system make your home more eco-friendly, it will also increase the resale value. Last but not the least, iron heaters provide consistent heating and do not create any hot or cold spots like forced air heaters.

Cast iron radiators are a perfect choice for people looking for an economical and environmentally friendly heat source. Consistent and faster heating coupled with their economical prices make these heating devices a popular buy.

Benefits of Designer Radiators

There have been numerous technological advancements in last 60 years. Now flat panel radiators with special fins welded at the rear of the radiator panel are available in the market that are extremely energy efficient and help in heating up the room in an even manner in the shortest possible time. Modern radiators are available in various shapes and sizes. Designer radiators are available in traditional as well as contemporary designs in a variety of colors and materials. You can buy a heating device that blends in with your existing home décor or could even standout as a beautiful piece of art.

Types of Designer Radiators

There are different kinds of radiators available in the market to suit different tastes and budgets. Steel panel convector heaters are some of the hottest selling products and are often installed in both residential complexes as well as commercial buildings. Another popular buy is the bench radiator that could be placed in any room and you can buy a bench seat to use it as a seating area. Portable and programmable electric radiators are a good buy if you want to slash your electricity bills and do not want to install central heating in your home. These lightweight radiators can be easily moved around and will automatically cut down the power supply when the desired temperature is reached. Towel radiators, flat panel radiators and marble effect radiators are other types of designer radiators to select from.

Best Place to Search for Designer Radiators

For the perfect designer radiators, a great place to go to is your local home improvement store. If you are looking for more variety then browsing online catalogs of heating device vendors would be a better option. For best results, make a list of the types of features you’re looking for and set a budget. Having a few guidelines set before you begin shopping will help ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for.

Gone are the days of traditional chrome and cast iron radiators that took a long time to warm up a room. Now you have have the option to select from a large variety of energy efficient designer radiators that can assist you in bringing down your utility bills while turning your house into a cozy home.

Check out the other articles on Double Radiator to get more ideas for heating options for your home.

When houses are built, everything has to be done on a budget. The construction companies will buy in bulk and try to get the cheapest price for their doors, interiors and radiators. Because of this, it is usually the cheapest size available that is fitted into homes. These radiators may not be big enough to heat the size of the room and can be a real problem when it comes to those cold months. Home radiators can be replaced and it really isn’t that difficult a job to take on, it’s choosing the right radiator for your room. You have to think about the size of your room and the length of the walls. If you can, buy the biggest radiator available to fit your wall. If the space is small but your room is big then you could invest in a double radiator.

Double radiators produce double the amount of heat but they fit into a smaller space. This makes them idea for flats, small spaces and particularly cold atmospheres. Double radiators do not cost double the price and can be found quite cheaply. By buying in bulk (very handy when you are replacing all the radiators in the house) you can reduce the price down and save yourself a few pennies. So if you want to stay warm and cosy in your own home, why not take a look at replacing your current radiators with more efficient new ones.

The type of radiator you go for will depend on the style of your house. If you are living in a traditional Victorian semi with period features then you are likely to want to go for the more classic roll top design while if you are looking for a more modern look then you may want to look for a funkier style of radiator. For those of you who are looking for functionality rather than glamour, why not try the standard radiator. They are available from most diy stores (although you could probably find them cheaper online) and they don’t cost a small fortune.

If you are looking for a more efficient item then you could opt for a double radiator. They produce double the heat and are very handy for heating large rooms or for having under windows (which is where most of a home’s heat escapes). So if you are thinking of renovating a house or simply changing the radiators in your home, why not take a look at all the different options that are available. Whether you choose cutting edge radiators or simple yet effective standard products, you will be safe in the knowledge that your home will be warm and cosy for many years to come.