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Why radiators are disappearing from new building design


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adiators were introduced in UK building design in the late 1800s, evolving from ornate, heavy Victorian cast-iron systems to steel and


aluminium panels. While they have been a popular method of heating residential and commercial buildings, they are now being left behind in a world focused heavily on low-carbon technologies and more energy-efficient systems.


The transition towards low-temperature heating systems


The Part L Building Regulations reflect a design shift towards low-temperature heating systems, requiring any new wet heating systems to be designed for a maximum flow temperature of 55°C. This reduces the effectiveness of conventional


radiators, which were designed for flow temperatures between 70 and 80°C. Heat pumps, by contrast, operate most efficiently at much lower flow temperatures. If the water running through the system is cooler,


radiators will need a much larger surface area to emit the same amount of heat to heat the room – roughly twice the usual size. This makes them expensive, bulky and difficult to fit into standard building layouts. Additionally, there will likely be a significant push to switch from gas boilers to heat pumps in the coming years, especially with the Future Homes Standard effectively ruling out gas boilers in new homes across England from March 2027 onwards.


Tighter building envelopes


The UK’s seasonal climate has focused building design on insulation, driving the specification of high-performance glazing and airtight construction. Radiators are typically installed directly under


windows to counteract draughts via air convection. However, increasingly airtight building envelopes and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems mean homes need less heat – a demand low-temperature emitters can easily meet. With no draughts at the window, there’s also no need to position radiators beneath it.


Open-plan, minimalistic living


Shifting occupant demands are driving interior design that favours minimalist aesthetics and open-plan living. Traditional wall-mounted radiators compromise usable square footage and dictate furniture placement.


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Low-temperature heating systems, such as heat pumps or underfloor heating, reduce the need for radiators, giving greater flexibility in room layouts and creating uninterrupted visual lines.


An increasing number of viable alternatives


With net zero targets sharpening the focus on low- temperature renewables, heating methods that integrate well with these systems and maximise space are becoming an important aspect of building design. Underfloor heating leverages the entire floor as


a large-surface radiant emitter. While remaining discreet, this operates efficiently at low flow temperatures and combines well with heat pumps. By providing all-in-one heating, cooling and humidity control through unobtrusive wall or ceiling outlets, air-to-air heat pumps offer an ideal solution for year-round climate regulation and reduce the need for traditional radiators. Fan-coil units offer another potential alternative,


cooling as effectively as air conditioning. They also heat a room quickly and, with low thermal mass, cool down quickly too.


The importance of coordinated building design


There is currently still a disconnect between building design and heat source specification. Ultimately, if


façade strategies, site servicing routes, and structural grids are designed early without incorporating low- temperature distribution, this gap is embedded into the design. Developers, architects and designers must cost in heating and cooling from the outset, rather than trying to shoehorn them into an existing design, which is almost always more expensive. Thicker walls, ceiling features, or fitted wardrobes offer discreet ways to coordinate heating and cooling with minimalist design while meeting strict space constraints.


Cooling must also be considered. A single system


that can heat and cool the building reduces the need for radiators, supporting minimalist design, improving occupant comfort, and lowering energy consumption. Reversible air-to-air heat pumps are already


standard in hotter countries, so the UK built environment should look to them for inspiration. These systems operate identically to traditional air conditioning units by extracting heat from inside the building and releasing it externally. This process is reversed in winter to provide heating. With environmental standards and occupant


expectations for comfort and design ever-evolving, and a warming climate adding cooling to the brief, radiators are playing a diminishing role in building design. Despite the importance of low-temperature heating, the gap between building design and specified heat sources needs narrowing. That starts with early design and a coordinated, holistic approach.


The shift towards heat pumps and other low-temperature heating systems, along with the rise of underfloor heating, minimalist design demands and ever-tightening energy efficiency regulations, means radiators are specified less often. Alex Hill, managing director at Whitecode Consulting, identifies the reasons behind the transition away from radiators and highlights the importance of avoiding coordination issues in building design by incorporating heating and cooling opportunities early


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