Choosing the right radiator for a room doesn’t need to be a hassle. If you’re unsure which designer radiator to go for, here’s a quick guide of things to think about.

Size



Though larger radiators may be implied to offer more heat output than smaller ones, this is not always guaranteed to be the case. A better way to choose the size of your radiator is to consider the size of the room you wish to install it in. Radiators have different power levels appropriate to different room sizes, and you can calculate their heat output with a BTU calculator, then compare it to what your room needs to stay warm.

Make sure you calculate the BTU for the room in question. Use a BTU calculator, like the one offered on Designer Radiators Direct. It’s completely free.

Shape

A radiator’s shape will do little in affecting its energy output, but will be important when considering its placement in a room. Horizontal radiators work better for longer rooms, whilst vertical ones complement taller rooms and act as the centre pieces there.

Whether it’s a wall or ground mountable design will inevitably effect the radiator’s shape.

Type

Whether for a living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen or hallway, every location in the home presents its own requirements and these must be closely considered before settling on a type of radiator to purchase. Conservatories, landing rooms with workshop, office and commercial areas may   
 
Rooms with high ceilings also follow their own set of rules, and may require taller vertical designs, for example.

Designer Radiators Direct, group radiators by radiator types, each with their own ideal installations. Make sure you research the different types and how they correlate to the physical space they inhabit.

Electric or Traditional



Electric radiators are making waves – and rightly so. They’re 100% energy efficient, which means no energy at all is wasted between power generation to room heating. It’s all converted with the utmost accuracy, and will therefore save you money on your bills whilst reducing your carbon footprint. You won’t need to worry about pipe routing and gas availability – they’re easy to install and can be placed almost anywhere.

Traditional radiators are still the kings of radiator design however, featuring the largest range of reliable designs on the market. Until electric radiators become the standard, a gas-operated radiator will offer you the greatest choice in radiators, and will do an excellent job of heating your home.

BTU



British Thermal Units (BTU) serve to measure heat output from radiators. Some rooms will need more heat, and others less. Depending on the size of the room, what it’s used for, and the number of windows in the room as well as their type, the heat requirement will differ and will require variable BTU ratings.

When purchasing a radiator, it’s best to measure the BTU of your room so you can find the most appropriate heater for it. Larger rooms may require a greater number of radiators; in which case you should split the total BTU between the number of radiators used. We recommend you use BTU calculator to find out what BTU and Watt output will efficiently heat your room.