The Radiators Resource

Refurbishing and restoring your cast iron radiator can be a fun task that will brighten up the whole room by improving the aesthetic of your lovely heating unit. Some simple ways of touching up your radiator that can also improve its working efficiency include painting, creation of a radiator cover, enclosures, and conversions. Resizing your radiator or adding extra fins and coils is a job best left to the professionals, though, so take care that you don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Painting Your Radiator

Painting a cast iron radiator is a little more involved than you might think, but it has definite benefits. Covering the radiator with metallic based paints will reduce the heat output by up to 20 percent, which is a significant reduction. This is definitely something to consider if your unit is putting out too much heat. You’ll need to make the choice to either cover up what’s already there or strip the old paint first. Once you’ve decided, make sure you clean the surface before you begin painting. Covering the entire surface of the radiator with a zinc or zinc chromate primer is key to making sure your paint job will last a long time. Use oil based paint for your radiator. Brush it on gently, making sure to get all of the angles. Make sure the paint dries completely before you run the radiator. Then open all the windows and let it run for awhile to get that new paint smell out.

Creating Radiator Covers

A radiator cover can greatly add to the look and efficiency of your cast iron radiator. The best benefit, though, is the huge increase in radiator safety. This should be a critical component of your refurbishing plans if safety is a concern for you. It’s definitely recommended, especially if you have small children or pets. The process for making a radiator cover isn’t too hard, but it has way too many steps to be covered here. The pros down at This Old House made a great tutorial here, which I’d recommend if you’re interested.

Enclosures

Enclosures are another way to improve the look of your radiator. This doesn’t involve the radiator itself, but rather the space around the radiator. Radiator enclosures will work to reduce the heat output into the room by the radiator, so its another solution if your rooms are getting too hot. The classic style enclose seen in many older homes has a metal perforated front and a solid top. This reduces the heat output by as much as 30%. Enclosures are similar to radiator covers, but note that they do not necessarily encompass the entire radiator.

Conversions

Converting a steam radiator to a hot water radiator is a long term project that you should consider consulting a professional for. This can involve working with your boiler, and that’s enough right there to make me nervous. Work with the pros for conversions to avoid unnecessary damage to your cast iron radiator and your home.

Modern cast iron radiators combine all of the strengths of vintage styled radiators with the technical knowhow of modern science and engineering. These devices are a bit harder to come by, since most people seem to be switching to forced air units to heat their homes, but they are still out there and work well. There are many occasions where a modern radiator system will reduce your heating bills and save energy, truly the green solution.

Advantages Over Forced Air Systems

Modern radiator systems hold huge advantages over forced air systems which knowledgable engineers and architects use when designing homes and heating systems. For one thing, you never need to worry about getting hot spots or cold spots due to wierd air flows inside your home. The heat provided by the radiator flows outwards in a controlled space and does not rely on these currents. In addition, you’ll never get that drafty feeling you often get in forced air heated homes. The lack of a draft is also a strong advantage when it comes to odors, pollon, smoke, or any other particulates within the house. Because there’s less drafts, there’s less movement of these undesirables around your home.

The Benefits of Zoning

With modern systems you could set up zoning in your home. This means that each radiator can be controlled seperately, or several could be chained together (not literally) to form a ‘zone.’ A single thermostat could control the entire zone. By controlling the heat in each room or floor of your home seperately, you could tailor the heating of specific rooms at specific times to your specific needs. There’s no need to heat the downstairs if you’re upstairs in bed reading a book, for instance. Similarly, why waste energy heating the bedrooms when everyone’s downstairs for dinner? Zone control lets you save on energy costs which means a little more green in your pocket at the end of the day.

Modern Systems with Vintage Radiators?

So is it possible to set up a modern system but with vintage style radiators? Absolutely, although you’ll likely need the help of your local professional. Many people love the advantages of modern systems, but are also attracted to the ornate metal work of Victorian style radiators. So why not go with the best of both worlds? There are companies that refurbish vintage cast iron radiators to make them as good as any modernly manufactured unit. After you have the units, setting up the zones and reaping the benefits takes no more than a simple phone call to your local pro.