Many people love their cast iron radiators; however radiators have been around for a long, long time. In fact, they were originally invented in 1855. As a result many older homes have radiator systems and many people wonder if they should upgrade their systems. If you are in this situation, then rest assured there is no reason to switch heating systems in your house. Cast iron radiators and not only dependable, they are also highly efficient. Older boilers that power them however, are not. This article covers some ideas that you can implement to make your radiator system run at peak efficiency.
Cast Iron Radiators - Picture by Scott Robinson
Efficiency of Radiators
There are primarily two types of radiators that are encountered in homes: older ones made of cast iron and more modern pressed sheet steel. Occasionally you’ll see them made out of aluminum, which for all intents and purposes is the same as pressed sheet steel. There is arguably slightly better performance with cast iron radiators than there is with those made of aluminum or steel. The reason for this is that cast iron is thicker and has a higher ‘capacitance’. This means it retains heat longer and thus creates smoother transitions in temperature of the room. The good news is that if you already have cast iron radiators in your home, then don’t worry about upgrading them. However, if you are looking to purchase a new radiator, once made of aluminum and steel are generally cheaper and more prevalent. There really isn’t a big reason to choose one over the other.
Upgrades For Cast Iron Radiators
There is one upgrade to cast iron radiators that you should consider. Typically radiators found in older homes have been given several coats of paint over time. Each layer of paint acts as a layer of insulation. If this describes your radiator, you should consider having it sand blasted and recoated with a new, single layer of paint. This will allow it to transfer heat to the room more effectively.
Another upgrade you should consider is reducing the size of your existing cast iron radiator. If it was installed several decades ago, chances are that the insulation of the building it resides in has been significantly upgraded. You can tell if your radiator is oversized if it heats the room quickly to an uncomfortable level. Reducing the size of the radiator is generally an easy task for a qualified contractor since they are designed for adding and removing sections to properly size them to the house.
Where to Focus Your Effort (and Money)
The fact of the matter is that all radiators are 100% efficient. This is because efficiency is measured as the devices ability to radiate heat to the surrounding environment, which all radiators do. However, where efficiency matters is in the boiler and the piping connecting the boiler to the radiator. If the piping to the radiator exists the building for any reason, then it needs to be really well insulated. Even inside the building, it should be well insulated to prevent burns.
However, the point is that while old style radiators are just as effective as they’ve always been, there have been significant improvements in boiler efficiency over the decades. Boilers efficiency is based on how effectively it converts its primary energy source (gasoline, diesel, natural gas, electric, etc) into heat absorbed by the water or steam which is then pumped to the radiator. If you are looking to save money on heating bills, your boiler is the place to focus on. Any upgrades, retrofits, or replacements that you can do to create more efficient boiler will translate directly into money.
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