8 Unusual Facts About Radiators in the Home

Radiators can be used in cars and electronic devices as well as in the home.

They work by transferring thermal energy from one medium to another, for the purpose of heating up a room or area. Practically every home has at least one radiator, although there are many different types available.

Radiators have been around for many years, but it is a relatively modern phenomenon that they are so commonly used and visible. Below are 8 interesting and unusual facts that you might not know all about radiators in the home.

1) Less than 5% of UK homes are without some form of radiator
People in western society are so accustomed to seeing radiators whenever they enter a building that this kind of heating can go quite unnoticed today. Interestingly, 95% of UK homes have a radiator somewhere; most have more than one.

This simply reflects how society is coming to rely upon this handy source of heat throughout the year. Radiators are a safe and proven way of heating a room effectively, so why not take full advantage of this great invention?

A traditional radiator style

2) 1^st October is when most people turn on/up radiators for the winter
While not every country will see extremely hot summers, it is believed that 1^st October is the day when most people will turn on their heating again after having had it turned very far down or completely off, during the summer months.

September can be quite an unpredictable month weather-wise, but people like to save money, so even if it means wrapping up with a blanket on the couch while watching a film, people are reluctant to turn their radiators on before 1^st October every year.

3) Radiators replaced fireplaces as the central heating point of a room
In the olden days, houses were built with numerous fireplaces throughout the home. Primarily, they would be in the lounge and living area downstairs, but larger homes would sometimes have fireplaces in upstairs bedrooms as well.

Today, with the invention of radiators, fireplaces are no longer needed as a necessity to keep warm. While some houses still have fireplaces in their lounges that can be used for extra heat during winter, they are mostly just for show.

4) Despite the name, radiators transfer the bulk of their heat via convection
Due to the name ‘radiator’ many might conclude that heat is transferred through thermal radiation. However, most radiators generally transfer the bulk of their heat through convection.

In practice, the term ‘radiator’ can refer to any device that uses liquid circulation through exposed pipes, even though these should technically be called ‘convectors’. When referring to convectors, most people actually mean a class of devices in which the source of heat is not directly exposed.

5) You can buy home radiators in a variety of shapes and styles – including a dinosaur!
With the advance in modern technology, and the popularity of artistic flair in the home, there are radiators available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most commonly, radiators are bought in a rectangular ridged shape and attached to the wall.

An unusual radiator style
Image Source: http://farm1.staticflickr.com/3/6124232_5a68fb1403.jpg

In some bathrooms you may also find upstanding radiators that are great for hanging towels on. Although these are the most common, you can actually now purchase more unusually shaped radiators, including one shaped like a dinosaur. Whether this would be scary or artistic is up to you to decide!

6) Radiators can be plugged in or attached to the piping system
While most people think of the stereotypical rectangular shaped radiator that is attached to the wall, this isn’t the only type of radiator available.

The most common type of radiators are typically attached into the central heating system and can be controlled centrally as well as individually. However, you can also get radiators that you simply plug into an electric socket. These are typically referred to simply as ‘heaters’ although they fulfil the same objective as a radiator. This type of radiator can be very useful as they are easy to move.

7) You can Now Buy Self-Bleeding Radiator Valves
Every so often radiators need bleeding. You will know when this needs doing because the top and bottom of the radiator will be at different temperatures, one being hot and the other stone cold. This means that air is trapped inside; for your radiator to work as effectively as possible this needs releasing.

Recently launched are the self-bleeding radiator valves. These fantastic inventions mean that there is absolutely no manual bleeding needed at all. This can save you a lot of time and ultimately save you lots of money as well.

8) You Can Now Get Art Radiator Covers For Your Home
Finally, some people chose to have radiator covers in front of their radiators. This protects children from burning themselves and can also be very aesthetically pleasing.

There are a huge variety of artistic radiator covers available which don’t stop the heat from penetrating through at all. They simply add a chic and stylish feel to your room.

Conclusion

In conclusion, radiators are fantastic devices that are commonly found in most homes. The above information includes some interesting facts that you might not have previously been aware of.

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