PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2025 36 Radiators & Towel Warmers
Perfect match with low temperature systems
Joe Roberts from Jaga UK explains that as homes shift to low-carbon heating, radiators are evolving towards high-effi ciency, heat pump-compatible designs that cut energy use and deliver faster heating and cooling.
T
he evolution of radiators is moving quicker now than ever before, and with good reason. The
traditional radiator has served the industry and consumers well since it was introduced to the UK in the 1930’s. They have proved to be versatile, durable, cost eff ective and readily available, and history tells us that they’re a tried and trusted choice for installers. The market has changed
signifi cantly over the years. Our homes have become much more effi cient through better construction, improved insulation and controlled ventilation. As a consequence, the energy required to keep us warm has reduced. Boilers have moved from a very high water fl ow temperature to a maximum of 55°C for new installations according to Part L of the Building Regulations. This supports the UK’s net zero carbon goals and prepares homes for low-carbon heating systems like heat pumps.
Time of change The Future Homes Standard will be presented later this year, and is likely to result in no fossil fuel boilers in new homes, and other upgrades to Building Regulations. The transitional period has yet to be confi rmed but the expectation is a mass scale building of homes to Part L (Future Homes Standard) from mid-2028.
Joe Roberts Technical and training manager at Jaga UK
What does this mean for the
future of radiators? Heat pumps in our homes will inevitably be the norm, and we must also change the way in which we select heat emitters. To maximise heat pump effi ciency, the design water fl ow temperature should be as low as possible, ideally 35°C. This will increase heat pump effi ciency from a typical coeffi cient of performance (COP) of 2.8 at a fl ow temperature of 55°C to a COP of typically 5. This means that for every £1 consumers spend on electricity to run their heat pump, it delivers £5 of energy, eff ectively £4 of free energy.
With the relatively high cost of electricity here in the UK, it is essential for engineers and installers to design at these lower fl ow temperatures to ensure homeowner energy costs are lower than what they would be paying for gas.
Our Heat Pump Radiators typically hold 90% less water than traditional
radiators so can quickly respond to meet energy demands
When pairing steel panel radiators to low temperature heat pumps, the reality is that they have to be much larger to provide the same heat output. This is not necessarily the best option in terms of aesthetics, and may not be physically possible due to wall space restrictions.
Heating and cooling At Jaga, we produce radiators, or convectors, that are designed for use on heat pumps. We call them Heat Pump Radiators for a reason. They typically hold 90% less water than
The Briza Net Zero radiators from Jaga work seamlessly with heat pumps to provide both heating and cooling
traditional radiators, so can quickly respond to meet energy demands. They’re quick to heat up and quick to cool down, and by adding the Dynamic Boost Hybrid (DBH) option, heat outputs can be boosted by up to three times the norm. Designed to look great for today’s style-conscious consumers, they are also much smaller than normal radiators and much lighter.
The Paris Climate Agreement
in 2015 targeted limiting global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We’re getting closer to breaching that target, so it’s important that we all continue on our road to decarbonisation. We all have a part to play. The climate is changing: this year in the UK we have seen a record four heatwaves, and an increasing number of wildfi res here and around the world. It’s getting warmer, and our buildings are at risk of overheating. This is a serious health issue, and a reason we have Part O (Overheating) of the Building Regulations.
A view of the inside of Jaga’s Strada Hybrid, which can provide both heating and cooling, compared to a traditional steel panel radiator
Our Heat Pump Radiators don’t just provide effi cient heating, the DBH option can provide comfort cooling too when used with reverse cycle heat pumps. Our recently launched, award winning Briza Net Zero, provides heating and deep cooling (air conditioning). It’s an intelligent radiator using less material and more technology.
Sustainable choices It’s not the end of steel panel radiators, but it’s certainly time for engineers and installers to refl ect on the new technology available. It shouldn’t be about low capital cost, it should be about providing homeowners with best-in-class products, that will deliver real energy cost savings that ultimately outweigh any extra capital cost. At the same time, it’s about thinking of the bigger picture and the importance of us all playing a part in making our planet sustainable for its inhabitants forever. ◼
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CUT TO THE CHASE
Heat pumps require lower water temperatures for maximum efficiency
Lower flow temperatures can improve heat pump performance from COP 2.8 to 5
Conventional radiators need to be much larger when paired with heat pumps
New heat pump radiators hold less water, heat faster and provide cooling capabilities
Advanced radiators provide both heating and cooling with no condensation issues
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