If you already know how to choose a heating radiator or are ready to immediately proceed to purchase, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the current assortment in the specialized section of the catalog. Here you can use the convenient selection by parameters and find models that suit you.

1. Type of radiators

The first thing to do is decide on the battery type. Today, the most common options are:

Panel radiators

The most popular and widespread models. The main element of the design is a rectangular panel consisting of two metal sheets with oblong channels for the circulation of the coolant. To increase heat transfer, U-shaped fins - convectors - are also used. They are usually made of thinner steel. The radiator design may have a different number of panels and convectors.

Advantages of panel radiators:

  • Simple and reliable design.
  • The largest range of products, including variability in the number of panels and standard sizes. Thus, among panel radiators there are low models with a height of 20 cm, and long ones - more than 250 cm, which can be placed under non-standard windows.
  • Easy installation.
  • A laconic design that fits easily into most interiors.
  • Balanced price.

Cons:

  • Sensitivity to water hammer.
  • Potential tendency to oxidation and corrosion processes (with low quality steel, which is found in the most budget products).

Another feature of panel radiators is the fixed dimensions of the structure. It is impossible to upgrade such a battery after purchase, only to replace it with a new one.

Advice! When buying a panel radiator, be sure to pay attention to its design - the number of panels and convectors. It is usually indicated in numerical format. For example, 21 means a "sandwich" with one layer of heat-conducting ribs, while 33 is three panels and three convectors. The more of both, the better the heat transfer will be, but the thicker the product and the higher the price tag.
Visual communication between digital designations and internal configuration of panel radiators.

Sectional radiators

These are models that consist of separate sections (usually vertical). Inside each part there is a collector through which the coolant moves, as well as a complex system of channels to create a convection effect. Sections can differ in width and height, plus you can assemble the number of elements you need, which increases versatility. Such radiators are produced from a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, bimetal, cast iron.

Advantages of sectional batteries:

  • High overall reliability.
  • The ability to assemble a radiator of the required thermal power and width, and, if necessary, add or remove sections later.
  • Among sectional models, there are radiators made from a wide variety of materials.
  • Easy installation.
  • Variable appearance, including the availability of designer models that imitate tubular batteries.

Cons:

  • The complex design of the sections makes dust control and other maintenance difficult.
  • The price is usually higher than for panel analogues.

Sectional radiators allow you to “collect” the required number of sections and the width of the battery.

Water convectors

This is a relatively new type of radiator. Such batteries are heated by convection (heat exchange), not by radiation of thermal energy. Accordingly, the main design consists of metal plates fixed to the heating pipes. Such heat exchangers for forced convection can be supplemented with fans. These radiators are installed in niches, including in the floor if there are panoramic windows (or simply next to them).

Convectors are usually installed where a regular radiator cannot be installed.

Advantages of convector radiators:

  • The best aesthetics, up to complete invisibility in the interior.
  • They can be used when installation of other radiators is impossible or impractical.
  • They can act as a thermal curtain and effectively protect large windows from fogging up in winter.

Cons:

  • High cost.
  • Complex installation.
  • The overall heating efficiency is lower than that of analogues.


It should be noted that warm baseboards are also sometimes considered a private type of convectors. However, they have much in common with water-heated floors. They heat the air at floor level and are distinguished by a low temperature of the coolant (usually about 30 degrees Celsius).

A warm skirting board can be a complement or replacement for radiators.

Separately, along with the three most popular varieties, it is worth highlighting tubular radiators. They are usually made of steel and are considered design solutions with a fairly high price tag. Tubular radiators can either imitate the retro design of cast iron batteries, or have an ultra-modern appearance with various shapes and a color palette that covers the entire RAL system.

This is what a designer tubular radiator might look like.

For clarity, we have summarized the key differences between the most popular types of radiators in a table:

Comparison parameter Panel radiators Sectional radiators Convectors
Heating efficiency high high inferior to analogues
General assortment big average relatively small
Materials of manufacture usually steel all types of metal usually aluminum
Installation simple simple difficult
Possibility of modernization No There is No
Corrosion resistance may be lower than that of analogues high high
Aesthetics average average maximum
Price low average high

2. Materials

The operational properties of heating radiators depend on the metal they are made of. Manufacturers use stainless steel, aluminum, bimetal (two alloys at once), and cast iron. Let's look at the most popular materials in more detail.

Steel

Steel radiators are the most common. Most panel heaters are made of stainless steel, as well as many sectional models.

The advantages of steel:

  • affordable cost;
  • good thermal conductivity;
  • large selection of products.

The main disadvantages of steel radiators are their sensitivity to water quality and water hammer due to the presence of welded seams in the design. But here you need to make an allowance for the brand. For example, proven manufacturers such as Kermi (Germany), De'Longhi and Hi-Therm (both Italy), DJOUL (Turkey) and Purmo (Finland) can offer increased metal thickness and high quality control during production, which increases protection against water hammer and corrosion processes. And an extended warranty - from 5 to 10 years or more - serves as additional confirmation of the durability of their products.

The typical working pressure for steel radiators is 10 bar, and the maximum coolant temperature is 110 °C, which is an excellent choice for private houses and apartments in low- and medium-rise buildings (up to 9 floors).

Aluminum

Aluminum radiators are the second most popular today. All types of batteries are made from this alloy: panel, sectional and convection. Reputable manufacturers of aluminum models include such brands as Nova Florida, Fondital and Global (all - Italy).

Advantages of aluminum:

  • the highest heat transfer compared to other metals;
  • resistance to thermal shock. Many aluminum models have an increased working pressure of up to 16 bar (and up to 60 bar for rupture);
  • light weight.

The main disadvantage of aluminum radiators is their sensitivity to water quality. Due to high acidity, airing and, later, blockage are possible. In addition, aluminum is not as durable as steel, and is also afraid of direct contact with copper, which is why it gradually deteriorates. Therefore, for such radiators, it is necessary to carefully select connecting fittings ( fittings) and think through all the nuances of installation in tandem with gas boilers with copper heat exchangers.

Increased working pressure and standard temperature conditions (usually up to 110 °C) make aluminum radiators a good choice for both private houses and apartments (including new buildings). But at facilities on the highest floors and/or with low water quality, it is still better to refuse aluminum.

Bimetal

Bimetallic radiators are made of two metals and are found only in sectional models. Usually, the heat carrier tubes are made of steel, and the remaining elements are made of aluminum. As a result, such batteries combine the advantages of the above models and level out their disadvantages.

Visually, aluminum and bimetal are almost indistinguishable, but the “insides” are different.

Pros of bimetal:

  • increased resistance to water hammer (working pressure exceeds 30 bar);
  • high heat transfer;
  • balance of overall strength and weight.

The main disadvantage of bimetallic radiators is their high cost. Suspiciously cheap solutions should be alarming and in practice are often deprived of their main advantages. The range of high-quality bimetallic models is inferior to steel and aluminum, but radiators from time-tested manufacturers can be found: these include, for example, the Italian brands Fondital and Global.

Due to the increased working pressure and standard temperatures of the coolant, bimetal can be recommended primarily to residents of high-rise buildings (9 floors and more).

We will not go into detail about cast iron radiators. This alloy is used less and less often and mainly to create designer models "in the old style". The advantages of cast iron include corrosion resistance and high durability, and the disadvantages are heavy weight, fragility, sensitivity to water hammer, and usually high cost. Another feature is slow heating and cooling, which can be both a positive and a negative feature, but in general it rather makes it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in changeable weather.

Today, cast iron radiators are primarily about aesthetics.

For easy comparison of radiators made of different materials, we have also compiled a table:

Parameter Steel Aluminum Bimetal Cast iron
Heat dissipation average average the highest low
Working pressure, bar up to 10 up to 16 up to 35 up to 10
Strength high average high high
(but fragile when struck)
Corrosion resistance average low
(sensitive to water quality)
high high
Durability, years 10 – 15 10 – 20 20 – 25 more than 50
Sensitivity to water quality high high average average
Weight average minimum average big
Price low average high the highest
Ideal application private houses private houses, new buildings multi-storey buildings, high-rise buildings designer interior

3. Installation

Most modern radiators are designed for traditional installation with wall mounting, with the mountings usually included in the package. Much less frequently, including in the presence of panoramic windows or the implementation of special design ideas, alternative installation methods are used, namely floor mounting or installation in a niche. The first option is typical for retro cast iron models, and the second is for convectors.

To ensure that installation is simple and trouble-free, it is worth considering the following at the stage of choosing a radiator:

  1. Method of communication to the heating system. The side option is considered more common, in which the holes are located on the side (often on both sides - to perform both one-way and through supply of coolant). This communication is usually easier to implement, but slightly less aesthetically pleasing. It is typical for sectional radiators, but is often found in panel radiators. An alternative communication method is the bottom one. The pipes are located at the bottom of the battery, which makes them less noticeable and improves aesthetics. But in implementation, such a communication can be more difficult, especially in two-pipe systems. More often, the bottom communication is found in panel models.
  2. Height, width and depth of the radiator. The sizes of the product are usually limited by the footage of the room and the sizes of the window opening, the layout and arrangement of furniture, design requirements, etc. At the same time, lengthening or increasing the width of the battery increases its thermal power, but can complicate installation.
  3. Center distance. This parameter determines the distance between the upper and lower openings for pipe supply. It affects the sizes, because the height of the battery will be exactly greater than the center distance, as well as the features of installation and communication.
  4. Other points, namely hidden or open type of communication laying, size and materials of pipes.

The radiator installation must comply with building regulations.

Additional tips for installing a heating radiator in accordance with current regulations:

  • the battery should occupy at least 50%, and preferably 75% of the window width;
  • a minimum distance of 10-15 cm must be maintained from the radiator to the window sill;
  • the gap from the wall should be at least 3 cm;
  • minimum distance from the floor - 6-10 cm.

4. Heat Output

In order for a radiator to heat a room well, it is not enough to simply choose a metal model with the highest heat output. Firstly, the devices have different designs. For example, a panel radiator of 500x1000 mm dimensions with two panels and one convector can have a heat output of 1200 W, while a model of similar width and height with a pair of heat-dissipating fins can have a heat output of 2400 W. Plus, different manufacturers have their own design know-how that increases thermal radiation and/or convection compared to their analogues.

Secondly, in each specific object there are many variables, including the temperature of the coolant, the thickness of the walls in the room, the insulating properties of the window structures, their location relative to the sun, etc. As a result, the same radiator can prove itself differently in two apartments of the same area, but, for example, on the first and last floor, on the south and north side, etc.

Radiators provide heating through thermal radiation and convection.

The basic formula for calculating the heat output of a radiator usually assumes that with a standard ceiling height (2.7 m) 100 W of heating power is needed per 1 square meter. Plus, at the selection stage, it is worth laying a reserve of up to 30 - 40%. It covers various heat losses, low coolant temperatures, and severe frosts. So, it is better to screw on a thermostat (or, in extreme cases, open a window for micro-ventilation) than to freeze.

It is also necessary to take into account that for sectional radiators, heat output is most often specified for one section, which means that for the radiator as a whole it depends on the specific configuration. The value must be multiplied by the number of sections. With panel batteries and convectors, additional calculations are not needed, heat output is given for a specific dimensions. In any case, the width, height and thickness of the product directly affect the thermal power: the larger the heater, the more heat it will give off.

Let's give an example of calculating heat output and selecting suitable radiators for a room with an area of 25 square meters:

  1. According to a simplified formula, 2500 W (25 x 100 W) is needed to heat such a room.
  2. Let's set a heat transfer margin of 30% and get 3250 W.
  3. The radiator for our room must have at least this much thermal power.
  4. If you are considering a panel model, then taking into account the required dimensions (height and length of the battery), you can select suitable options. So, if we have a really wide window opening, then, for example, a 600x1600 mm product with two panels and convectors (22) will do. For more compact layouts, a similar heat output can be provided by a not so wide panel radiator - 600x1100 mm, but in format 33 (with three heat-dissipating fins), such as Korado Radik VK33.
  5. If you want a sectional model, you will also need to calculate the required number of sections, again taking into account the standard sizes. Let's say that a section 800 mm high can have a heat output of 270 W. We calculate how many we need for our room: 3250/270 = 12 pieces. In the case of more compact sections (55 cm high), the heat output per unit will be lower. For example, for Fondital Calidor Super it will be 194 W, which means 3250/194 = 17 sections will be required.
  6. One convector will not be able to completely cover the heating needs of our premises. Accordingly, either two models are needed at once, for example, Carrera FRH 150/2500/175, or a combination with other solutions, including electric heaters, heated floors, etc.

5. Thermostatic Heads

To save utility bills and increase the comfort of residents during the heating season, it is recommended to supplement radiators with thermostats. In fact, this is a special faucet that is located in front of the coolant inlet to the battery. It allows you to control the water supply and thereby change the temperature in the room. Some models even include such an accessory in the kit, but if it is not, then the thermostatic head can be purchased separately.

Thermostats most often have a built-in temperature sensor: it is located right next to the radiator, where it is most likely warmer than in other parts of the room. Some models are supplemented with a remote sensor. It can be placed next to the work area or rest area, which will allow you to control the temperature in the place where you are most often.

Thermal heads are an important addition to radiators to improve energy efficiency.

Also among the thermostatic heads there are "smart" accessories with remote control support. As a result, you can control the heating temperature remotely, including from a smartphone - with setting up a schedule or different scenarios, including all home thermostats and other sensors in a single smart system.

6. Design

The appearance factor of radiators should not be underestimated, because window openings always catch the eye, and long curtains do not appear in every interior. Modern radiators do not necessarily have to be white. Many models can be painted almost any color that suits your needs at the ordering stage for an additional fee.

The shape of tubes, sections, panels is becoming more and more variable: today they can be rectangular, round, flat, etc. The usual stereotypes about the lack of alternatives to vertical geometry are gradually being destroyed. Thus, both panel radiators with horizontal stripes, a la Kermi Therm-X2 Line-V 22, and similar sectional solutions, such as ARTTIDESIGN Livorno G, are available for sale. True, such models are more expensive than standard analogues.

Modern radiators can become the highlight of your interior.

In general, when you have figured out the type, material, heat output and installation, then the design features are definitely worth considering. Of course, in accordance with your budget. Good luck choosing!