On the 1st October it was national central heating day, the day on which many people turn their heating on for the winter, check the radiators are working and then have to call the plumber when they are not.
Radiators were invented in the 1850’s but central heating was still a household luxury way into the 1970’s. Before that, staying warm meant building a fire, putting on a woolly jumper and jumping up around until you felt better.
Cast Iron Radiators
One of the most popular, traditional types of radiator are the Cast Iron. Seen most commonly within stately homes, traditional builds or old fashioned houses, these radiators provide class, elegance and a great source of heat for any room.
But how do they work and how are they made?
How are they made?
Each section of the radiator is iron that has been cast in moulds and left to cool (that might be where it gets its name from). When everything is cool, the pieces are painted or engraved and then fitted together using large bolts and then tightened with a wrench.
The connectors used to fit the smaller sections of the radiator together need to be turned a minimum of ¼ using a wrench. However, one of the worst things you can do is over turn them, this can create a build-up of pressure and not be good for the system. This is when the radiator finally starts to take its shape.
For the internal dynamics of the radiator there are many variables including aluminium heating elements, cold air pipes and water to make sure that the radiator works correctly.
After the assembling the cast iron radiator, it needs to be pressure tested for 24hours. This is a safety precaution to make sure that the radiator can withstand the pressure of being used every day. If it does not work it could be dangerous and inefficient at heating the room.
Once the pressure test is passed, the radiator is safe to be installed.
How does it work?
Designed to heat the air in the room using a convection current, the radiator is efficient at transferring heat to the entire room and the surrounding area as long as it isn’t blocked by any furniture.
Drawing cold air into the bottom of the radiator and past the heating elements inside, a convection current is created. This is caused by warm air rising and cold air sinking which causes a convection current. The iron is a good conductor of heat and because of the movement of the cold and warm air inside, the convection current is strong enough to move the warm air to the rest of the room.
Why Choose a Cast Iron Radiator?
For your home, lounge, kitchen, living room or bathroom, choosing a cast iron radiator may seem like an expensive choice. They are old fashioned, bulky and yet one of the most popular designs. They can be easily designed to order, painted and last a very long time. Instead of opting for the modern, whiter frame radiator, choose a cast iron radiator and see what it can do for your home.
This autumn, don’t struggle with radiators that aren’t doing their job, invest in a cast iron radiator. AEL heating can provide you with a wide range of cast iron radiators as well as all the valves, bolts and nuts you might need to maintain them.