Plumbing & Heating

At Howarth, we have a wide range of radiators on offer. Efficiency is important, and with new radiators, you'll want to look at the heat output to make sure you select one that's right for your room. It also depends on the size of your room, and what kind of design and style you’d like. Modern vertical radiators are a great choice as they are durable, have a great heat output, and are contemporary and elegant in design. However, they do take a while to heat up, and are quite big compared to other radiators. Compact radiators are also a good choice, as they are smaller and better for traditional spaces. They’re also lightweight and inexpensive but do contain a plainer design. Overall, there are a wide range of good radiators, but choosing which one is best for you ultimately depends on a lot of factors, such as heat requirements of the space, room sizes, window dimensions and even the materials used in the walls.

Gas central heating is one of the most widely used heating systems in the UK, with most homes using it. Radiators for gas central heating use a combination of convected and radiated heat to distribute heat. Hot water from the pipes warms the surface of a gas central heating radiator, which then radiates heat into the room. Cold air passes through the radiator channels and is heated by the hot pipes, circulating warm air across the room, and heating it via convection. This creates a comfortable and efficient thermal balance. However, because water takes longer to travel from the boiler to the radiators, your rooms may take longer to heat up.

If your radiator has a thermostatic valve, locate it on the left side of the radiator to turn it off. Then clockwise turn the valve until the dial reads 0. Next, on the right hand side of the radiator, locate the second valve called the RAD valve, and twist it clockwise until it no longer twists. The radiator will be totally switched off and cooled once both valves are closed.

To turn the radiator back on, turn the thermostatic valve anti-clockwise until you get to the desired number you’d like, such as 3 or 4. Then, on the right hand side of the radiator, locate the second valve and twist it anti-clockwise until it stops twisting. When the valves are fully on, turn it back a quarter, as this stops the valves from ceasing up from corrosion.