When choosing a radiator for your home, it shouldn’t just be about the colour or style. You also want to consider the material that it’s made from, as different materials can affect the competence of its heating ability. Depending on how you want your room to be warmed, can determine the type of radiator best for your home. Here are the top 4 most efficient materials for your radiator.
- Cast Iron
Cast iron radiators are a call back to less modern times. This material is good at slowly heating up a room, which some consider to be more efficient as heating up a radiator quickly can sometimes take more energy. A cast iron column radiator can look stylish in even the most contemporary setting, as it’s a timeless look that can match just about anything. The unique thing about cast iron is that it retains its heat long after it’s been turned off. This means once it’s heated to temperature, you can switch it off, but still feel the warmth for hours to come. Using a cast iron radiator could help you end up using less energy in the long run.
- Mild Steel
Sometimes called mild steel, these radiators are often lower in price as the material itself is cheaper. Because the material is so low in price, they are able to be made into a number of different designs so you’ll be able to find one to fit, no matter the space required. Their heating output is also brilliant and due to them being affordable, you can place multiple in a room without spending a fortune.
- Aluminium
As a material, aluminium conducts the most heat which makes them the perfect choice for radiators. This means you can heat up a whole room with just one radiator, instead of situating them along multiple walls. Unlike mild steel, aluminium is resistant to rust so you won’t need to purchase any additional extras to ensure a smooth running of them. They also heat up and cool down very quickly, which is not only great for you but good for the environment too.
- Stainless Steel
Radiators made from stainless steel feature a lot of the same benefits as those made from mild steel. However, the material isn’t as cheap, so in turn, they can be a little more expensive. But they’re brilliant at putting out and retaining heat. A bonus point is that they don’t rust as easily as mild steel and require less maintenance. Again, they can also be fashioned into stylish shapes so if you want something unique and not your typical structure, stainless steel could be the way to go.
Your radiator choice should be made up of a number of decisions, not just one. It may be the most original, stylish radiator that compliments your funky living room, but you should consider if you’d benefit from using a different material. This way you can ensure you’re getting maximum efficiency for your money and a nice toasty room too.