Q on aluminium radiators

tired_dad

Are they compatible wih any system? I seem to recall some issue with mixing radiators made of different metals.

Basically will need to add a few new rads to an extension. Other rads are standard white ones. Can I mix and match any type of radiator?

Ebe_Scrooge

Mixing steel and ally rads can cause galvanic corrosion, but if you've got the correct inhibitor in the system it's not such a huge problem.


Aluminium rads are more expensive than steel, but they heat up and dissipate the heat faster.

tired_dad

need clarification. "Not such a huge problem". Does that mean there is no problem with the appropriate inhibitor or is there still a potential problem.

Thanks. As you say, the rads are dear, but I'm influenced by their higher BTU ratings. However, if there is a definite problem perhaps I should look elsewhere

Ebe_Scrooge

tired_dad wrote: »

As you say, the rads are dear, but I'm influenced by their higher BTU ratings. However, if there is a definite problem perhaps I should look elsewhere

To be honest, the BTU rating is a bit of a red herring in this scenario. You do need to make sure the rad is of an appropriate size for the room ( a quick Google search will give any number of results, here's just one as an example : http://www.diy.com/help-advice/btu-radiator-calculator/Dev_npcart_100006.art )

But at the end of the day, an ally rad will heat up and cool down quicker than a steel rad. The end result for all practical purposes ? Nil difference. You'll still burn the same amount of gas / leccy / oil to keep the rooms at whatever temperature you choose. If it were me, I'd go for steel rads purely because they're cheaper, and as I said, for all practical purposes in a normal domestic situation, there's no difference in the heat output.

peachyprice

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

But at the end of the day, an ally rad will heat up and cool down quicker than a steel rad.

This was my immediate thought, why would you want an ally rad when it's going to cool down much quicker. A steel rad has residual warmth for hours after it's turned off but surely an ally rad will cool down very quickly meaning the room goes from comfortable to cold much more quickly.

Can't see the benefit myself, it's not like steel rads take that long to heat up.

Grenage

The heating is there to get the temperature up, and dumping the heat into the room as quickly as possible is simply better heating.

Aluminium is much better, as it won't corrode like steel. Unfortunately they cost a lot more than inhibitor.