RADIATOR TECHNOLOGY
Evolutions in efficiency, design and compliance
Radiator technology is evolving. It is emerging from the need to reduce energy demand through improved insulation and heating system design and for compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document Part L, which states that heating system water temperatures should be reduced to 55 degrees Celsius going forward. Jackie Kilgallon, showroom manager at Zehnder Group UK offers some insight
W
hile heat outputs might decrease as a result, the logical expectation is that heat losses from buildings would similarly
diminish, due to improved insulation and better air tightness. This modern approach will not only improve the thermal efficiency of a property but help to create a new equilibrium for year-round comfortable climates. As such, radiator design and the materials used to manufacture them has advanced, improving efficiency, aesthetics and integration with modern heating systems, for example with Heat Pumps as a heat source. Over the years, mainland Europe has operated with lower system temperatures compared to the UK, and most radiators perform exceptionally well with reduced flow and return temperatures. Installers are central to ensuring this compliance while delivering comfort to building occupants - so choosing a model from a manufacturer championing the latest high-performing standards is essential to hit this balance. Below are a few choices to consider:
Design
Whether sourcing a radiator for a central living space, bathroom, wet room or kitchen, the design, functionality and practicality must all work hand in hand. Multi-column radiators are the perfect fusion
of traditional and modern technology - offering comfortable warmth, efficiency and timeless design since the 1930s. Today the modern multi-column boasts unique
manufacturing features, such as innovative, precise laser welding methods to produce strong, sectional radiators. This is setting new standards when compared to traditional flash welding methods. Revolutionary primer coatings and epoxy powder
coating colour finishes are also being applied to provide enhanced corrosion resistance and a more durable, longer-lasting finish. The overall result is stronger and better-quality welds with a premium look and finish of excellence and comfort, which more customers are demanding in their properties. The unique construction of a multi-column radiator
comes with added installation benefits too, making install more straightforward. For example, Zehnder offers EasyFix bracket sets that makes installation both quick and easy. It is a simple set of mounted brackets on the wall – the radiator hooks onto the bracket and is then fixed in place. Smart accessories like this not only reduce the risk of installation errors, but also of accidents caused by the radiator unintentionally unhooking from the bracket. Towel radiators have also evolved in the design stakes. They are now available in ‘double layer’ formats, and decorative designs with flat rectangular or obround profiles (rather than round tubes) that provide greater surface area and improve performance. The move from chrome to colour can see benefits of up to 50% improvement in thermal output compared to that of a simple ladder type towel warmer, offsetting reductions from lower water temperatures.
www.heatingandventilating.net Finishing techniques
New finishing techniques have pioneered radiator design in recent times and now allow manufacturers to offer even more options. As well as colour matching finishes with over 2,000 colour coating options for steel radiators, new Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coatings, also known as thin-film coatings, take finishes one step further. PVD is a process in which a solid material, such
as chrome or bronze, is vaporised in a vacuum and deposited onto the surface of the radiator tubes. These coatings are not simply metal layers, but a process whereby compound materials are deposited atom by atom onto the surface, forming a thin, bonded, metal or metal-ceramic surface layer that enhances the appearance and durability of the radiator. For the installer, the benefits of modern and
innovative finishes are numerous. PVD finishes are highly durable and offer a beautifully-even finish that function as part of the radiator itself. They do not tarnish, chip or corrode, just as the original stainless steel would endure, so customers can be reassured that they are investing in a quality product that will stand the test of time.
Colour match valves
When choosing a centrepiece radiator or towel rail and matching colours and finishes with taps, showers and other accessories, many forget about the humble radiator valve and how they can affect the final look and feel. Standard radiator valves can be ugly or
obtrusive – especially when fitted within a contemporary space. A critical part of the heating system, valves should be chosen with care as to not affect performance, however, valves can also now complement a bathroom colour scheme as effortlessly as the radiators themselves, by undergoing the same finishing techniques At Zehnder, we have introduced a range of valves which can be selected in the same finishes from our radiator range, creating a fully seamless look. By embracing such innovative technologies,
installers contribute to the reduction of energy consumption in buildings, delivering a positive effect on energy costs as well as fitting hardwearing radiators and towel rails that not only complement a living space but also go the distance for quality.
38 September 2024
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