How to Choose a Heating Radiator

Who among us doesn't dream of a warm and cozy home? Climate comfort in a house directly depends on the heating system, so during major renovations, a natural question arises: how to correctly choose heating radiators.

Radiators should last for decades, so their purchase must be taken seriously. Before buying, it's essential to understand the requirements these heating appliances must meet.

What Should Heating Radiators Be Like?

The main characteristic of a radiator is heat output, as its primary function is to create and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Another important quality is strength and reliability. We must be confident that this heating appliance will serve us for a long time, without leaking or flooding the apartment—or even worse, the neighbors.

Design and color are also important factors. The radiator should seamlessly integrate into the room’s interior.

Where to Start?

To choose heating radiators correctly, you need to know the key characteristics of your home’s heating system:

• working and test pressure levels in the heating system;
• type of heating system (it can be single- or double-pipe);
• pipe diameter for connections;
• maximum temperature of the heat transfer fluid (water).

Residents of multi-apartment buildings with centralized heating can obtain this information from the housing management office (ЖЭК) or the property management company. Homeowners of private houses adjust these parameters independently.

Choose radiators based on these parameters. The radiator’s working pressure should be 2–3 atmospheres higher than the test pressure in your building.

Determine the radiator’s dimensions. There should be enough space around it for proper air circulation. Recommended clearance: 70–100 mm from the floor, 30–50 mm from the wall, and 100–150 mm from the window sill.

Now calculate the required thermal power. Under normal conditions, it should be between 90 and 120 W per square meter. Normal conditions mean a standard room: one window, one door, ceiling height of 3 meters, and heat transfer fluid temperature of 70°C during heating season. For higher ceilings, increase required power; for lower ones, reduce it. If the room has multiple windows or is corner-located, increase thermal power by about 1.7 times.

When purchasing, check for the presence of an air vent valve. This feature allows you to manually remove air locks.

Types of Radiators

Heating radiators come in cast iron, aluminum, bimetallic, and steel types. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so let’s examine each in detail.

Cast Iron Radiators

Cast iron radiators are the most popular heating appliances of the last century. Their main advantage is longevity and reliability—cast iron radiators can last at least 50 years. They offer high heat output and excellent heat retention, are resistant to pressure fluctuations, and are relatively affordable. Disadvantages include high weight and large size, which complicate installation, and an outdated, unattractive design.

Aluminum Radiators

Aluminum radiators are lightweight, strong, and reliable sectional units with high heat output. Their low weight greatly simplifies installation, and their attractive appearance allows them to blend into any modern interior. Thermal power is adjustable by adding or removing sections.

The excellent price-to-quality ratio has made them the most popular choice among Russians. A major drawback is their susceptibility to corrosion, especially when the heat transfer fluid has high acidity, leading to rapid wear.

Bimetallic Radiators

Bimetallic radiators are hybrid heating appliances made of a steel heat-conducting core and an aluminum outer shell. They are highly resistant to corrosion, offer excellent thermal conductivity, and can withstand high pressure. Bimetallic sectional radiators are very attractive, easy to install, reliable, and long-lasting—lifespan is about 40 years. The only drawback is their high price.

Steel Radiators

Steel panel radiators have high heat output and are quite aesthetically pleasing. However, they are not stable under pressure fluctuations, so they are recommended for use in homes with individual heating systems. Additionally, steel radiators are prone to corrosion.

Conclusion

Choose radiators according to required technical specifications, personal preferences, and, of course, financial capabilities. It’s best to buy radiators from well-known manufacturers—this guarantees quality, reliability, and longevity.