Like any other appliances that you use in your home on a regular basis, your radiator can malfunction due to normal wear and tear. Radiator damages are not often easily noticeable but they can be quite dangerous. For example, when your radiators fail, you can end up being left with no or insufficient heat from your central heating unit.
One of the easiest ways to know if your existing radiator needs to be replaced is to look at how your central heating is performing. For example, if your unit is still producing hot water but the water feels colder than normal, it may be a sign that you need to replace your radiators/storage heaters.
How Frequently Should I Replace My Radiator?
There is no general answer to this query. However, on average, you should replace your radiator after using it for between 15 to 20 years.
Note that when your central heating starts failing, it does not simply mean that you need to replace your boiler rather the problem may be the radiator.
Apart from the fact that your home will always be warm, there are other benefits to buying a new radiator…
For starters, new radiator units usually come fitted with the latest bells and whistles which makes them more effective and efficient compared to old units.
Should you choose to get a new unit, you will have the choice of picking the latest radiator designs. This can help you cut back on your heating bill since the newer radiator models in the market have been proven to be more energy efficient compared to older models.
Note that most homeowners struggle with high heating bills and cold homes since they do not consider replacing their old radiator units until it is too late. Most people tend to assume that old appliances will function like they are in mint condition but forget that if you live in an old house, it is highly likely that the central heating unit has not been serviced for many years. Always remember that an old central heating unit will continue to fail gradually over time especially when it is not regularly serviced.
Replacing your radiator can also help enhance the aesthetics of your home. It is recommended that you consider upgrading your old radiator especially if you are renovating your home.
NOTE: When replacing your radiator, it is important that you also check the state and capabilities of your boiler to gauge if it can deal with the new radiator system.
Key Things to Keep in Mind When Considering Installing a New Radiator
As we have mentioned above, a new radiator can change the entire aesthetic appeal of your property. However, apart from what a new radiator will do for the aesthetics in your home, there are other important considerations to keep in mind before buying a new one.
If you live in a relatively new housing unit, you may not have to worry about installing a new radiator since most new buildings come fitted with new radiator models.
When choosing a new radiator for your home, you can either choose to go for a modern energy-efficient model or acquire a model that is similar to the one that you currently own. No matter the type of model that you choose, it is important to ensure that your boiler has the capabilities to deal with the performance of the radiator you wish to install.
It is especially important to look at the capabilities of your boiler if you are looking to acquire a larger radiator model to cover a wider space in your residence. Remember that a larger radiator will put more stress on your boiler which may necessitate that you also replace your boiler.
Simply put, sometimes replacing your radiator also means replacing your boiler.
