ASK THE EXPERT
A guide to energy-efficient heating
Alex Burgess of The Radiator Company provides some advice to self-builders on achieving energy efficient heating solutions for their property, for planet and pocket
WHAT ARE THE MOST EFFICIENT
RADIATORS? With the population increasingly looking to find ways to make sustainable choices, and with energy efficiency high on the agenda, we’re finding more and more homeowners asking for advice on this topic. There are several design features that can make a significant difference in achieving energy efficiencies, but before these are considered, the most important step is ensuring the radiator is the right ‘size’ for the space. This isn’t about dimensions however: to heat any space effectively and efficiently, the radiator must be able to match its heat output performance to the space and this is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). So how much heat (BTU) do you need for your space? This can be worked out easily using online tools, such as the BTU calculator, by simply entering a few details about the room and its dimensions to provide you with the correct figure. From here, you are then able to match your heat requirements with your choice of radiator. It should be easy to identify the BTU output for any radiator on the market as this information should be included with any description. To aid comparison between designs, all outputs should be calculated using a standard formula that produces what is called the Delta T, the norm for all radiators should be based on a Delta T of 50. If you are installing a radiator to be used with renewable energy sources, the calculations may need to be adjusted as the heating system may produce different flow and return temperatures – meaning the output calculations would be based on a different Delta T. We suggest you call the manufacturer to ascertain the correct figure based on your system.
If you fail to calculate the BTU measurement, you are likely to find yourself with either a radiator that cannot heat the space sufficiently, or conversely, overheats the space. Both scenarios will place potentially huge, unnecessary demands on the central heating system and boiler as they try to compensate for the gap.
WHAT’S THE MOST EFFICIENT
RADIATOR MATERIAL? Radiator designs that are manufactured with materials that offer more sustainable benefits are increasing in popularity. As a material that is fully recyclable at the end
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www.sbhonline.co.uk sep/oct 2021
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