Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Topics

Radiators

QWhich Valves will I need?

A

Choosing your radiator valves can be a little confusing here is a guide for you to find the correct valves for your radiator:

  • pipe work is coming out of the floor and the radiator has side connections you will need a set of Angled valves.
  • pipe work is coming out of the floor and the radiator has underneath connections you will need a set of Straight valves.
  • pipe work is coming out of the wall and the radiator has side connections you will need a set of either Angled valves or Corner valves.
  • pipe work is coming out of the wall and the radiator has underneath connections you will need a set of eitherAngled valves or Corner valves.

Heat Ouput

QGetting the right heat output for your room

A

How do I calculate what heat output I need from my radiator(s) to heat my room?

Your plumber or heating engineer is the best person to do this if they have been or are coming to your property.  Alternatively either we can do this for you, or you can work it out yourself using the simple Heatcalc (below), that is widely used within the industry.

Much more complex methods for calculating the precise heat requirement of a space are adopted by technical experts and architects, taking account of a many different factors and variables in detail. However, in our experience the Heatcalc below provides a good result.

HEATCALC

Find the volume of the room in cubic metres (length x width x height) 

Use of Room
Lounges and dining rooms multiply by 50.
Bedrooms multiply by 40. 
Common areas and kitchens multiply by 30.
Bathrooms multiply by 90.  
Conservatories – see the question and answer below.

Adjustments
For rooms facing north add 15%. 
For french windows add 20%. 
For double glazing deduct 10%.
For very exposed sites, or very cold weather add 10%

For new builds (which have much better insulation) deduct 20%

Total = heat output in watts needed from one or more radiators to heat the room.

Each radiator shown on our website is listed with its heat output shown in watts and British Thermal Units (BTUs).   For this information, click on the “view pricelist” icon, next to the picture of the relevant radiator on this site.  The heat outputs of your chosen radiators are unlikely to be exactly the same as your heat requirement.  So, always go for size radiator with a higher rather than lower heat output and fit thermostatic radiator valves to control the room temperature.

Outputs are shown at operating temperatures of 90/

QWhat are Watts/BTU's

A

These are two different units for measuring the heat output of a radiator.  Like feet and metres, they measure the same thing, just on a different scale.

QCan I convert Watts to BTU's

A

To change Watts to BTU's multiply watts by 3.412

To change BTU's to Watts divide btu's by3.412