Image by: H is for Home via flickr
There are many things that we can do in our home to make it more energy efficient. You can even search online for some tips and tricks to save energy. An excellent way to become more efficient with your power consumption is to have an efficient boiler and heating system in your home. When it comes to installing radiators in your home, there is a world of choice available, and becoming increasingly popular is the cast iron radiator, which is seeing a resurgence in popularity.
Comparing Radiators
When you invest in highly durable white cast iron radiators, you may come across the argument that flat panel radiators will take less energy to heat. Although this fact is true, as the cast iron versions have a much higher surface area, they also take a lot longer to cool down. What this means is that the extra energy that is taken to heat the radiators up to temperature, is offset by the prolonged period of time that it takes the radiators to cool down. Leaving your home warmer, for a lot longer.
Controlling the Temperature
To make sure that your heating system is running efficiently, it is important that you install a thermostatic radiator valve on all of your radiators. Doing this will allow you to control the temperature precisely in each of the rooms in your home. If there are rooms of your home that rarely get used during the winter months, it is also a good idea to turn these radiators off.
Doing so can save you quite a substantially amount over the course of the colder months. As well as using valves to control the temperature and having an efficient boiler, the use of insulation is also a vital factor to consider. Adding reflectors behind a radiator can help to keep the warmth in a room, rather than heating up an external wall. As well as looking at your heating system, there are also other things that you can do to improve energy efficiency in your home such as using draft excluders and adding double glazing to your home.
Fit for the Job
The cast iron radiator is a throwback to years gone by, which has now become popular once again. There is a lot of choices available when it comes to choosing radiators for your home. Whether you are looking at modern replicas or installing old radiators in your home, it is important that you choose the correct size for each of your rooms. The aesthetic appeal is, of course, important, but equally important is that the radiator you install is up to the job. If you need help to work out the BTU (British Thermal Unit) required to heat a room, then there are BTU calculators available online which are quick and easy to use.
In conclusion, cast iron radiators can be just as efficient as their modern counterparts, but it is also important to ensure that your home has a highly efficient boiler, as well as high-quality insulation. Making sure that all of these elements are covered will help to make sure that not only is your home warm and cozy this winter, but also energy efficient.