Central heating radiators

This article is about various types of radiators used in Central Heating systems. There is more information about designing central heating systems in

• Central Heating Design, whilst
• Underfloor Heating discusses a significant alternative to radiators.

There are separate articles about:

• Central Heating Operation for help maintaining a working CH system
• Central Heating Repair for diagnosing and fixing a faulty system.

http://www.productosgourmet.net/cialis buy cialis viagra kazrg

Heat Output

Delta-T

Manufacturers publish the nominal heat output for each size and type of their radiators. Obviously the hotter a radiator is the more heat it gives out, so for the specification of a radiator's heat output to be meaningful this factor must be incorporated. Since a water cools on its passage through the radiator the mean of the flow and return temperatures is taken, and from this is subtracted a notional room temperature of 20°C, and the difference, known as Delta-T, should be given in the radiator specification. For non-condensing boilers which might have maximum flow and return temperatures of 90°C and 70°C respectively this gives a 60°C difference, and radiator outputs specified for these conditions are known as "Delta-T 60". For more modern installation with high-efficiency condensing boilers flow and return temperatures are likely to be around 75°C and 65°C giving Delta-T 50.

To convert Delta-T 50 to Delta-T 60C multiply by 1.2675. (from Barlo's FAQ)

If unsure about the output of a given radiator it can be calculated using the formula below (for standard and compact radiators) or deduced by comparing with similar-sized models from other manufacturers. If specifications are available but it is not stated whether these are for DT50 or 60 it is safest to assume DT60.

Manufacturers' specifications

• Output specification of Kudox compact radiators (PDF). These are sold by B&Q and others, and are typical of compact radiators of similar sizes from other manufacturers.
• Myson
  • Myson standard rads technical data
  • Myson compact rads technical data
  • Myson roll-top rads technical data
  • Myson compact roll-top rads technical data
• Barlo radiator technical specs and price guide

As would be expected the output of Double Convectors (DC) is approximately twice that of Single Convectors (SC), whilst Double Panel Extra/Plus (DX) types are in between.

Heat input requirements

In order to be able to get the full output from a radiator, there needs to be a large enough flow of hot water available through its pipework. Conventional wisdom has it that the speed of water flow in heating pipes shouldn't exceed about 1m/s - otherwise noise and vibration will result. Assuming the usual 10degC difference between flow and return gives the following 'load limits'.

Pipe size  Max load
---------  --------
6mm        750W
8mm        1.5kW
10mm       2.5kW
12mm       4.1kW
15mm       6kW
22mm       13.4kW
28mm       22.5kW
35mm       35kW

To convert from kW to BThU/hr multiply by 3,412.

Radiator output formula

From the specifications of Myson's standard (seam-top) and compact radiators, Barlo round-top and Kudox compact rads, it is possible to derive a formula to calculate the heat output of any given sized-radiator of these types. This formula should be applicable to other manufacturers' radiators of similar types.

 Heat Output  =  (Height + 12) * Length * FACTOR
   (Watts)         (cm)           (cm)

or

 Heat Output  =  (Height + 120) * Length * FACTOR / 100
   (Watts)         (mm)           (mm)

where FACTOR is (for Delta-T 50°C)

• 0.09 for SP single panel (no convector fins)
• 0.13 for SC single convector
• 0.19 for DX double: 1 panel with convectors + 1 without
• 0.24 for DC double convector

In other words:

• add 12cm to height (in cm) of radiator
• multiply by length (width) of rad
• multiply by FACTOR above

The formula can be used in reverse to calculate the size of radiator necessary to provide a given heat output (as given by a heat-loss calculator) e.g.

Length  =  Heat Output / (FACTOR * (Height + 12))
 (cm)         (Watts)                (cm)

For example suppose an output of 1kW is required from a radiator whose maximum height is 500mm. The length of radiator necessary to provide the required output is:

             1000      /  (FACTOR * (50   + 12))
            (Watts)                 (cm)

         =   1000      /  (FACTOR * 62)

Substituting the factors for the different types of radiators we get lengths of

• SC: 1000 / (0.13 * 62) = 124cm (1.24 metres)
• DX: 1000 / (0.19 * 62) = 85cm (850mm)
• DC: 1000 / (0.24 * 62) = 67cm (670mm)

Thus in practice one might have a choice of 1300mm SC, 900mm DP or 700mm DC.

If we have a given length and output of radiator the formula can be used to calculate the height necessary:

Height  =  Heat Output / (FACTOR * Length)  - 12
 (cm)         (Watts)               (cm)

Radiator Cabinets

Putting a radiator in a cabinet (usually made of MDF) may hide its "ugliness" but will typically reduce its heat output by about 50%.

Oversizing

With modern systems using TRVs and condensing boilers there are no technical drawbacks to installing over-sized radiators, although they will incur extra cost, weight and size. It is usually wise to design a little on the high side. Also, oversized radiators will enable faster heating up of the room from cold (a long as the boiler output is sufficient to provide the extra heat required to do so).

Location

• Where in a room should a radiator be placed? In some rooms such as a bathroom the position of a towel warmer is decided by the layout of the room. In most other rooms there will be more choice. The decision mostly hinges on whether to place the radiator under a window or not.

British Standard 5449 "(Central Heating) Forced circulation hot water heating systems for domestic premises" recommends: "Wherever practicable individual heat emitters (other than fan convectors) should be located on outside walls preferably beneath windows to offset the cooling effect: it is an advantage to choose an emitter of such a length that it occupies the full width of the window."

Placing radiators under windows also means they are not likely to be in competition with larger items of furniture.

A disadvantage to placement directly under windows is that full-length curtains will block the radiator off from the room, and even normal-drop curtains may overhang the radiator and duct warm air up between the curtain and the radiator, reducing heating of the room and increasing heat-loss through the window. The ideal situation is to mount a radiator shelf above the radiator to deflect warm air into the room. Alternatively the radiator can be placed to one side or another of the window. However it should still preferably be placed on an outside wall. Outside walls are also likely to be of stronger brick or block construction making hanging a radiator easier than on an internal stud wall.

In either case fitting reflective insulating sheet behind radiators hung on outside walls can help reduce heat losses directly through the wall.

In some installation radiators are found located on internal walls furthest from windows and outside walls. Often it will be found that the radiators in adjacent rooms either sides of walls from each other and the installation has been done in this way to save time and money on pipework and installation costs (whether or not this saving has been passed on to the householder!). This arrangement is likely to result in the room being uncomfortably warm near the radiator and/or cold near the window & outside wall(s), particularly with large areas of single-glazed windows and solid or uninsulated cavity walls.