Radiator output help

6 years ago

We opened up our kitchen and dining room last year. I did a heat calc of 5500 BTU for the new space based on it being a kitchen so heated to 20C. I installed a radiator spec’ed at 6600 BTU and sure enough it heats the space to about 20.5C.

This still feels a little cold, my mistake being I should have considered the space to be a dining room rather than a kitchen so heated to 22C which needs a BTU of about 7500.

To cut a long story short, I can replace the radiator with a taller version which has a BTU of 7500. I’m not worried about the cost but just wonder if the extra 900 BTU will make the difference. Thoughts appreciated!

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Comments (4)

Kenny Miller
Original Author
6 years ago
Bumping this in the hope of some help. I realise radiators are not the most interesting of subjects!
PRO
Feature Radiators
6 years ago
They are fascinating to us! LOL.

Firstly, I would say 900 BTUs isn't that significant to be honest, it is only 300 Watts (3 lightbulbs). So I am surprised the room is feeling cold. Therefore I would recommend that you get your heat outputs double-checked first. We can do this for you, just give me a call on 01274 515734 or email helena@featureradiators.co.uk. Then we can see what we come out with and say whether we think it is worth you getting a bigger one.

Also is the radiator getting hot all over? Just to check, as if it isn't then it hasn't been installed properly and will need tweaking to get it up to full temperature. Radiator "balancing" is key to maximising efficiency whilst ensuring appropriate heat outputs.

Hope I can be of assistance. Warm regards, Helena
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Kenny Miller
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the response Feature Radiators. Personally I think it's okay but it's my good wife that thinks it's a little cool/cold. My plumber also doesn't think an extra 900 BTU is worth the hassle. The radiator has been balanced, there are no cold spots, and it pumps out heat. I'm starting to think the problem is that central heating thermostat (Worcester Wave) is in a different room that heats more quickly, therefore the heating is switching off before our kitchen diner is fully up to heat. It's the only limitation I can see with the Wave thermostat - it has to be hard-wired to the boiler making it impossible to experiment with it's placement.

It's not a big deal because we have gas fire in the kitchen diner - it's more when popping in and out of the kitchen. Thanks again.
PRO
Feature Radiators
6 years ago
That would definitely explain an issue. If that room where the thermostat is is warmer than the kitchen/diner, then it will turn the heating off before the kitchen/diner is warm. Difficult to rectify unfortunately as you say without swapping the radiator to something that heats up quicker e.g. an aluminium option or moving the thermostat. Good luck!

Radiator output help

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Kenny Miller
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