PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2024 Radiators& Towel Warmers 29


Beware of products that might not be up to standard


Radiators that are sold in the UK with inaccurate information or misleading heat outputs continues to be a problem, despite the best eff orts of MARC – the Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators and Convectors. Steve Sutton outlines the Association’s concerns.


launched by MARC in 2020, it’s clear there is still an issue about misleading information, and the rise and rise of the low temperature renewable heating system makes these issues all the more important. Radiators that do not meet


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the standards and do not produce the necessary heat outputs threaten the ability of condensing boilers to operate more effi ciently at lower temperatures and the ability of air source heat pumps to generate the levels of heat they need to ensure that homeowners are not left cold in their homes, frustrated by the apparent failure of their heating systems to deliver, and annoyingly out of pocket. The problem may not be the boiler, the heat pump or the system set up, so much as the radiators may not have the correct output. The answer still has to be to


buy radiators manufactured by a MARC member, each of whom signs up to a code of conduct


Steve Sutton MARC’s technical manager


Customers may be left in the cold by radiators that fail to provide the output claimed


hile things are improving following the campaign


calling on the wider industry to help raise standards and compliance. One guaranteed way that


consumers can have product assurance is to look out for MARC membership. All members of MARC must provide proof of product performance – via CE/UKCA marking – together with test certifi cates that confi rm performance levels of the products.


Each radiator manufactured by a MARC member is tested


independently and has a certificate to prove


conformity


 Vertical radiators can provide a larger surface area without taking up valuable wall space


and use the test standard BS EN442 to ensure radiators have the correct heat output. It’s vital that you buy and install radiators that are CE and UKCA marked from a reputable merchant or seller online who understands the importance of stocking only quality products. Each radiator manufactured by a MARC member is tested independently and has a certifi cate to prove conformity.


Regulation compliance MARC has been working across the whole industry to ensure that all companies comply with the Construction Products Regulations and that their marketing materials and product performance data are correct. Our members are now


 Three panel radiators can work very well with renewable systems, such as those powered by heat pumps


Up to the job Clearly the use of radiators that cannot deliver the heat outputs they claim will adversely aff ect performance of a heating system and may incorrectly suggest that radiators are unable to provide the necessary levels of heat to provide comfort heating and hot water to a property. Correctly sized radiators can work very well with renewable systems such as those driven by heat pumps. But they need to have been correctly tested to EN442, so delivering heat outputs the manufacturer claims. There are countless


case studies out there of homeowners who are very happy with their new low temperature heating systems where radiators are the source of heat in the home. However, you can’t replace


a boiler with a heat pump and expect all the existing radiators that are used to carrying circulating water at a high temperature to provide the levels of heat from a lower circulating system water temperature of 55°C or below. It will require the replacement using larger radiators – either double panel radiators or the relatively new K3 radiators with three panels and three sets of fi ns, or the larger surface area provided by larger vertical radiators, to keep the home at a comfortable level of heating.


Temperature diff erence It’s important to understand the diff erent modus operandi of boilers and heat pumps. Boilers respond pretty rapidly to being switched on and off and rapidly off er heating levels as required. Heat pumps are a diff erent technology and need to be on at a constant level to deliver comfort heating. A homeowner will need to get used to the constant heat at 55°C rather than the rapid heating up from nothing to around 60°C fl ow temperature of a modulating boiler. The radiator manufacturers


have had to get used to a degree of misinformation in the marketplace that underfl oor heating is the only solution for low temperature renewable heating systems. That is patently obviously not the case. Radiators will work well with heat pumps if the property is well insulated and, where necessary, replacement radiators are installed to provide the required performance level. Underfl oor heating does off er a large emitter surface, but it tends to heat up and cool down much more slowly, and it can be signifi cantly more expensive to fi t than radiators. Many new build home developers will not consider underfl oor heating for anything other than ground fl oor accommodation either – insisting on radiators for upstairs rooms.


Up to speed Radiators are very much relevant to modern housing and will continue to off er the best solution for existing homes – many of which in the UK are pre-second world war properties. Make sure you are up to speed with the modern radiator options and the cost eff ectiveness of their installation. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/424/41


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