Aluminium radiators, worth it?

tired_dad

Have a standard low pressure, pumped central heating system with conventional boiler.

In an extension will need to get several rads to heat a total of about 70sq m.

Looking a rad options.

Is there anything I need to be wary of with Alu rads? Do they have any problems? do they complement a conventional system?

Any tips would be welcome. They look good as you seem to get more watts for the same size.

TIA

Furts

I do not know about long term durability nor do I know if the radiators you have looked at are BS Kitemarked. These would be two key areas to check.

I would stick with quality steel radiators. They are cheap, plentiful, proven and will stand the test of time.

It is probable that you do not need much radiator output if you think laterally. I heat a 70 square metre room which is divided by double doors so it can be either one or two rooms. I have a radiator at each end of the room. Both have an output well below 1000W. Hence two standard single panel around 600mm high x 1000mm radiators are more than capable of roasting the room.

But to achieve this the room has been carefully draft proofed and well insulated. Unfortunately my heating requirement is way in excess of what I would like because two thirds of this room is old and not originally built with heating in mind. Hence in your position, with a new build, you should easily improve on my situation.

andyhop

Alloy rads generally use less water and provide more heat

They do cost more than steel but don't suffer from corrosion

I have fondital blitz in my own place along with some tall alloy bryce
Verticals from vasco

martinsurrey

andyhop wrote: »

Alloy rads generally use less water and provide more heat

They do cost more than steel but don't suffer from corrosion

I have fondital blitz in my own place along with some tall alloy bryce
Verticals from vasco

less water and more heat??

as the heat is carried by the water, more heat = more flow to the rad = more water.

or do you mean they contain less water, but the water flows faster as it radiates heat faster...

tired_dad

Interested in your comment on not needing much heat.

The 70sqm is split into 35 upstairs and 35 downstairs.

Both are extensions into existing rooms which already have rads.

andyhop

martinsurrey wrote: »

less water and more heat??

as the heat is carried by the water, more heat = more flow to the rad = more water.

or do you mean they contain less water, but the water flows faster as it radiates heat faster...

Alloy conducts heat far better than steel, like for like radiator sizes and the BTUs are always greater on the alloy. When draining there is very little water in your average alloy rad


3yrs with all alloy rads in my own place, magna clean is spotless, water is discoloured but zero corrosion

ryder72

Second the Vasco Alu rads, particulary the Bryce. They are expensive but stunning with huge heat output.

Aluminium conducts heat much better and it is much easier to increase surface area on alu rads with complex extruded profiles. Typically an alu rad runs on about 85% less water and for the same rad size put out 250% more heat so the initial outlay on the most used rads will repay pretty quickly.

andyhop

ryder72 wrote: »

Second the Vasco Alu rads, particulary the Bryce. They are expensive but stunning with huge heat output.

Aluminium conducts heat much better and it is much easier to increase surface area on alu rads with complex extruded profiles. Typically an alu rad runs on about 85% less water and for the same rad size put out 250% more heat so the initial outlay on the most used rads will repay pretty quickly.

A local supplier I use bought a load of weird colour bryces.....even after a repaint £300!....stunning radiators with lots of detail that's not possible with steel