Do cast iron radiators take longer to warm up a room?
While cast iron radiators do take longer to warm up a room, once they are up and running, they are phenomenal at delivering a steady, consistent heat . Other metal radiant radiators inject quick blasts of heat, while cast iron gently and consistently radiates heat.
What are the benefits of cast iron radiators?
The main benefit of cast iron radiators is that it remains warm much longer than aluminum radiators and other radiators made from more conductive metals. Cast iron takes a long time to heat up, but after it reaches a high temperature it takes much longer to cool back down again.
Are there any cast iron radiators for sale?
Most people opt for aluminum or steel radiators today because they are more compact and modern, but there are still cast iron radiators for sale if you’re looking for a more traditional appearance. The radiators come with all the benefits of cast iron, but they’re big so make sure you have the space.
What can break on a cast iron radiator?
There really is not much that can break on a cast iron radiator. As long as the valves and other parts of the system are maintained regularly you should expect it to continue functioning properly for longer than most furnaces or other more modern heat sources on the market today. Steam radiator systems are known for being noisy.
What are Cast Iron Radiators?
What is the biggest radiator?
What is finned device?
Is cast iron radiator good?
Can you buy a cast iron radiator brand new?
Is cast iron radiator better than aluminum?
Can a cast iron radiator heat a room?
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Should I replace 30 year old radiators?
How Often Should Radiators be Replaced? There is no straight forward answer but in general you should replace your radiators anywhere between fifteen and twenty years. Sometimes, a lack of central heating does not mean that you need a new boiler but need to replace your radiators instead.
Are old cast iron radiators any good?
Cast iron radiators, once a staple heating system in our homes, are now an outdated choice only suitable for very particular setups. From high costs to environmental impact and heating efficiency, cast iron radiators simply aren't up to speed with the needs of the modern home.
How much does it cost to replace a cast iron radiator?
Cast Iron Radiator Cost The cost of a cast iron plumbed radiator averages $200 to $700. The cost of a cast iron electric radiator is $400 to $1,000. Cast iron is the material most often used for column radiators. These can be freestanding or wall-mounted, depending on the style.
What is the average lifespan of a radiator?
A more powerful engine gives out more heat so it will need an upgraded radiator to handle the higher heat output effectively. A properly maintained radiator should last at least 3 years, and up to 8-10 years.
Do cast iron radiators rust inside?
Unless you're adding an inhibitor to your radiators, a cast iron radiator will use the water that runs through the traditional heating system. Radiators don't rust on the inside unless they're left prone to oxidation over the years.
Are cast iron radiators worth money?
Cast iron radiators should also increase the value and desirability of your house in the same way as any quality fixtures and fittings – they are truly an investment piece and would even be worth something second hand if you wanted to later sell them.
Are modern radiators more efficient than cast iron?
Your boiler will benefit from having a cast iron radiator because the temperature of the water that is returning to the boiler is hotter, as opposed to modern steel radiators. This is because a cast iron radiator will hold its heat for longer, providing better energy efficient heating.
Are cast iron radiators better than modern ones?
Many customers have commented on the better heat output within their homes since cast iron radiators replaced the modern radiators. Cast iron radiators are energy efficient radiators and a good energy saving radiator choice.
Why do cast iron radiators crack?
Cast iron radiators can produce reliable heat in buildings for decades at a time but do break down eventually. Since cast iron is such a brittle material, it is prone to cracks.
Can a radiator last 20 years?
Most auto mechanics feel that a properly maintained radiator should last for at least eight to 10 years. Older metal radiators, when well maintained, can last for the life of the car, but modern radiators are mostly made from plastic rather than metal, and plastic expands and contracts as the radiator heats and cools.
Are replacing radiators worth it?
Are old radiators less efficient? Over time, all appliances age and begin to work less efficiently, and this has a knock-on impact to energy efficiency and energy bills – so yes, old radiators are less efficient than new ones, particularly where newer models have been designed with energy efficiency in mind.
Why are radiators no longer used?
Radiators are inefficient It takes a lot of energy to heat water. The time to heat up the water, and cool down when you no longer need the heating, make radiators less efficient compared with surface heating.
Are old radiators better than new ones?
It's easy to assume that radiators made decades ago are less efficient, but studies have shown that a new radiator can be as much as twice as efficient as even a twenty year old equivalent.
Are old radiator heaters efficient?
The oldest version of a radiator heater, the cast-iron system is very efficient at heating up the room. However, it also takes up the most amount of room, and takes the longest to heat up.
What is an old radiator worth?
How to Pick a Vintage Radiator. Radiators are often priced by the fin and cost between $10 and $20 per section depending on height, depth, and decoration. Shorter radiators that fit under windows are more scarce than tall models and tend to be on the higher end of the price range, says Bauer.
Should rusty radiators be replaced?
READ MORE. Radiator expert Daniel Nezhad, who is the director of UK Radiators, explained that a rusty radiator does not necessarily need to be replaced. Daniel said the rust is a “type of corrosion” that occurs when irons and alloys such as steel, cast and iron, reach with oxygen and water.
What are Cast Iron Radiators?
Cast iron radiators are one of the oldest types of radiators still in use today. These finned devices are designed to work with a steam system tied to a boiler or hot water systems relying on a water heater. They are built to allow steam or hot water in and to transfer heat from the water out into the surrounding air.
What is the biggest radiator?
Large Radiators. Cast iron radiators are one of the largest and heaviest types around. They take up a high amount of floor space and typically are not wall mounted because they are heavy. These units are not good for use in smaller rooms and can be replaced by more modern and sleeker radiators to gain space in your home.
What is finned device?
These finned devices are designed to work with a steam system tied to a boiler or hot water systems relying on a water heater. They are built to allow steam or hot water in and to transfer heat from the water out into the surrounding air.
Is cast iron radiator good?
When looking for a radiator that is going to last, there is nothing better than a cast iron solution. Cast iron radiators are big and solid. They are not subject to denting or other potential damages like other radiator types are. They also rarely rust within and even if they rust on the outside they can easily be refinished and made to look like new once again.
Can you buy a cast iron radiator brand new?
When shopping for cast iron radiators you have two options. You can either purchase the radiator brand new, or you can obtain an older radiator and clean it up and refurbish it, or obtain a refurbished model from someone else.
Is cast iron radiator better than aluminum?
The main benefit of cast iron radiators is that it remains warm much longer than aluminum radiators and other radiators made from more conductive metals. Cast iron takes a long time to heat up, but after it reaches a high temperature it takes much longer to cool back down again. That means that rooms are heated more evenly by cast iron radiators than they are aluminum radiators.
Can a cast iron radiator heat a room?
Not only does it have a classy look to it, but the solution offers very even heat that will not generate uncomfortable hot and cold spots throughout the room.
They are reliable
There’s a good reason why, in this day of designer radiators and electric heaters, why cast iron radiators are still around. They are an incredibly resourceful and dependable heating solution.
They are expensive for a reason
Cast iron is a sturdy and long-lasting material but getting anything made with cast-iron is a time-intensive process. You may notice when shopping around that cast iron radiators tend to be more expensive than other styles in similar sizes.
They have excellent heat retention
Heat retention is an underlooked feature in most radiators. When your heating is turned off, would you rather have a radiator that gets cold and lowers the room temperature immediately, or would you rather have a radiator which can keep its heat for a more extended period, so a room stays warm for longer?
They take in more air
Most modern radiators steal a simple design feature from cast iron without us even noticing. If you look at a standard radiator hanging on your wall just now, it may have a row of fins on the back. Those fins are there to increase the surface area the radiator covers. Cast iron radiators do this by default.
They are heavy
One final point I’d like to mention is the simple fact that cast iron can take a few knocks. If you want to have a radiator in an area where lots of people will walk by, and you know objects will hit off it from time to time, the sturdiness of cast iron makes it foolproof in most rooms.
Are you getting ready to install new radiators?
If you’re in the middle of making some changes like this around the home, make sure you check out all the latest home improvements posts from the blog right here.
Are cast iron radiators efficient?
They may look old school, but any decent cast iron radiator is more than worth its weight in gold (or should that be iron?). Cast iron is quite heavy. If you were ever in the position of having to lift or move radiators around, you’d find it easier to move a large panel steel radiator than a small cast iron radiator, but save that advice for another day.
How long will a cast iron radiator really last?
A good cast iron radiator will last you 20 years at best. I have seen examples where they’re working after 40/50 years, but those tend to involve a good degree of maintenance and getting cleaned up every few years.
Do cast iron radiators rust?
When you have hot water flowing through a radiator every day, and little bits of air passing through too, you’re always going to see some form of oxidation around your radiators valves and entries. A cast iron radiator that is cared for won’t be any different to normal radiators, and you shouldn’t expect to see rust. If you did, it’s more a sign that the radiator hasn’t been maintained properly.
Does it matter if you have a cast iron radiator?
It doesn’t usually matter if you’re going for an ornately designed cast iron radiator, or a modern one with a simple and sleek material, manufacturers typically focus more on the cost of materials and labour involved, rather than design.
What size cast iron radiator do I need?
To work out what size cast iron radiator you need you can use a BTU calculator for your room such as this one. This will take into account a variety of factors such as ceiling height, type of wall construction, window area, what floor your room is on and so on to calculate how many BTUs or Watts you need to heat your room. Once you have a BTU figure to keep to, you need to think about the position of your radiator. If it is under a window this will give you a maximum height. You'll also have a maximum width depending on the radiator's position as this will be determined by wall lengths, doorways, windows etc. And if it is in a hallway you may also have a maximum depth figure. All of these factors will determine the size of cast iron radiator that you need. Always make sure you purchase a cast iron radiator with at least the BTUs indicated on a BTU calculator as radiators can always be turned down to lower than their maximum setting when you don't need them on full heat, but not higher.
Does giving a boiler a break prolong its life?
Giving the boiler a break now and again will prolong it’s life. A major factor that determines how expensive a particular source of heating costs you is how much heat is lost through poor insulation in the building and draughty doors and windows.
Can you turn down a boiler at night?
If you are out all day and no heating is required, you could set your thermostat low so that your boiler won’t need to be working too hard and you won’t be wasting energy. You can also turn down the boiler at night as your cast iron radiators will retain residual heat and will not go completely cold for many hours.
Is a cast iron radiator good for low level heating?
A cast iron radiator is slower to heat up than it’s steel equivalent but once it heats up, stays warm for longer, which means it’s perfect for locations where low level heating is required to be on most of the time such as hotels, restaurants, pubs and homes.
Can you repaint a cast iron radiator?
A cast iron radiator should be viewed as an investment piece – when they look tired and the paint is dull, you can repaint them. A steel radiator however would most likely be thrown once the paint starts to be chipped and discoloured as it is seen as disposable.
Is a cast iron radiator more expensive than a metal radiator?
The simple answer is they are not more expensive to run than any other metal radiator such as ones made from aluminium or steel however they don’t work in an identical way due to the differences in materials and size, and these differences should be borne in mind before purchasing and installing them. A cast iron radiator should be viewed as an ...
What are the downsides of a radiator heater?
2. Needs Air Flow. Another downside of a radiator heater is that it must have proper air flow around the unit to effectively disperse heat around the home. Without this air flow, it’s impossible to thoroughly heat your home. Of course, different size radiators will create different amounts of heat.
Why use a tilt sensor on a radiator heater?
Many portable radiator heaters come equipped with a tilt sensor, which cuts the power if a radiator heater is unbalanced or knocked on its side. The heaters also retain heat well, which makes them ideal for extended use.
Why are radiator heaters so safe?
Evaporation causes unsafe levels of pressure to build up in enclosed spaces, so its absence from this process makes radiator heaters much safer. At the bottom of the heater is a heating element similar to what is found within an electric stove. It is electrically powered and is used to heat up the oil.
How to keep heat from seeping out of a house?
Simply slide this sheet of insulation between the wall and the heating unit, with the aluminum face the heater. This simple trick will help prevent the heat from slowly seeping out of your home and redirecting it back to your living area. While it may not complement the rest of your décor, this small addition will cost less than $20, but instantly start saving you money on your energy bills.
Why would a different heater suit me better?
For most people, a different type of heater would probably suit them better. This is due to the heat being able to travel further.
How does an oil heater work?
It is electrically powered and is used to heat up the oil. Once the oil is heated, the warmth is convected throughout the body of the heater, warming its walls. The heat is then conducted through the metal walls and radiated into the surrounding space , filling the room with wonderfully cozy warmth.
How to prevent heat loss on radiator?
One trick that you can do to prevent this heat loss, is to add your own heat-resistant insulation directly behind the radiator. A sheet of foam insulation with aluminum on one side will work great at accomplishing this. You can make your own with tin foil and insulation, or buy a pre-made sheet at your local hardware store.
What are Cast Iron Radiators?
Cast iron radiators are one of the oldest types of radiators still in use today. These finned devices are designed to work with a steam system tied to a boiler or hot water systems relying on a water heater. They are built to allow steam or hot water in and to transfer heat from the water out into the surrounding air.
What is the biggest radiator?
Large Radiators. Cast iron radiators are one of the largest and heaviest types around. They take up a high amount of floor space and typically are not wall mounted because they are heavy. These units are not good for use in smaller rooms and can be replaced by more modern and sleeker radiators to gain space in your home.
What is finned device?
These finned devices are designed to work with a steam system tied to a boiler or hot water systems relying on a water heater. They are built to allow steam or hot water in and to transfer heat from the water out into the surrounding air.
Is cast iron radiator good?
When looking for a radiator that is going to last, there is nothing better than a cast iron solution. Cast iron radiators are big and solid. They are not subject to denting or other potential damages like other radiator types are. They also rarely rust within and even if they rust on the outside they can easily be refinished and made to look like new once again.
Can you buy a cast iron radiator brand new?
When shopping for cast iron radiators you have two options. You can either purchase the radiator brand new, or you can obtain an older radiator and clean it up and refurbish it, or obtain a refurbished model from someone else.
Is cast iron radiator better than aluminum?
The main benefit of cast iron radiators is that it remains warm much longer than aluminum radiators and other radiators made from more conductive metals. Cast iron takes a long time to heat up, but after it reaches a high temperature it takes much longer to cool back down again. That means that rooms are heated more evenly by cast iron radiators than they are aluminum radiators.
Can a cast iron radiator heat a room?
Not only does it have a classy look to it, but the solution offers very even heat that will not generate uncomfortable hot and cold spots throughout the room.