Chrome Radiators Provide Lower Heat Output

Introduction

Radiators and heated towel rails are made in a vast range of different materials and finishes, and as such, it can be difficult for customers to know what is best for them. Specialists are often asked what material users should go for, and one feature that is frequently mentioned is that chrome radiators are able to provide a significantly lower heat output than painted radiators. Along with utility, customers look for stylish designs for their radiators, and given that every different model of radiator has the option of coming in different finishes, it means that there are potentially limitless options available.

So customers want a stylish product for their home, but one that is also energy-efficient and meets their cost needs too. However, many people don’t know that the heat output of a radiator can vary greatly purely down to its finish. The same model radiator coming in different finishes of white, black or chrome may be expected to offer the same heat output regardless, but this isn’t true.

In reality, the white and black models will produce approximately 20% more heat than the chrome version, with some chrome models offering 30% less heat than their painted counterparts. So why is this the case?

Why Radiators Finished In Chrome Aren’t Able To Radiate As Much Heat As Their Painted Counterparts:

The Scientific Principle Of “Surface Emissivity”

Surface emissivity is the phenomenon of how easy a material finds it to trap and then radiate heat. Think of how hot your seatbelt gets when sitting in the sun – because it traps and radiates heat easily and efficiently, it has a high surface emissivity. Chrome, on the other hand, has a low surface emissivity, as it finds it difficult to trap and radiate heat. While this makes them less efficient as radiators, it does offer a stylish finish that matches many common household designs, as well as being a great surface to dry towels on without being damaged or likely to rust.

Double Layering

Chrome is a finish which is applied on top of another metal, traditionally mild steel or brass. This means that any heat which wants to escape needs to penetrate two layers of metal which is more difficult than penetrating through a thin layer of paint. Equally, there is likely to be a small gap between the layers of metal, which means this area heats up rather than the heat being radiated through the final chrome layer.

Internal Shiny Finish

People love chrome for its shiny finish, but did you know that chrome is just as shiny on the inside too? Shiny objects reflect heat away from them and reflect it back to their original source – which is why space blankets are wrapped around people with the shiny side on the inside. For chrome finishes on radiators, it means that the heat coming from the internal elements is being reflected back inside due to the shiny finish of the chrome. This again reduced heat output.

Is There A Difference In Heat Output Between Different Colours?

So now that we know why chrome radiators have a lower heat output than painted radiators, it’s well worth considering whether different colours have a different heat output too.

After considerable testing, it has been suggested by scientists that there is a small difference in heat emissivity between different types of paint and different colours, but this is a relatively negligible amount. As such, the whole industry has agreed that these small difference between different colours and paints is not worth measuring due to the minuscule differences and the specialist equipment which would be needed by all firms to test this, the price of which would likely be passed onto consumers. Therefore, any radiator that is finished in white or other painted or powder finishes will be advertised as having the same heat output.

So What Finishes Should I Choose For An Optimal Heat Output?

Any radiator that you choose needs to fit into the style of your house, and the finish and design are important as you will be looking at your radiators on a daily basis. However, there are several radiator finishes which you can choose that look great and also produce a great heat output.

Mild Steel

Cheap, efficient and easy to mould into a range of designs to meet any style or aesthetic, mild steel is a very common choice for radiators and towel rails. Mild steel can also come in a wide variety of colours, which can offer a wider range of designs. Even the coloured versions are relatively cheap, so you can find a number of funky designs even when on a budget. Mild steel is slightly more prone to rusting than the other options below and may come with shorter guarantees, however, if you choose a mild steel option, then remember not to leave any wet towels on it! 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a known heat conductor and retains heat for a long time even after the heating has been turned off. It’s more premium metal, so has a higher price point than mild steel radiators, but works very well as a long term investment, and are easy to craft into a variety of shapes. Stainless steel radiators will not rust and are very resistant to corrosion, therefore they require significantly less maintenance. As such, they tend to have very long warranties, giving you total peace of mind for your purchase.

Aluminium

Relatively new as a radiator material, aluminium is fast becoming the most common choice for radiators, and it’s not very difficult to see why. Aluminium is a superconductor, so has a very high heat output. In fact, tests have shown that aluminium has between a two and three-time heat output of a chrome radiator, so it’s well worth considering aluminium above all the rest! Our experts at Justradiators would always advocate radiators that have a high heat output, so mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium would always be on our list. If you need information about radiators or want some expert advice then contact us today!

The Right Radiator For You

If you're thinking of purchasing a radiator from Just Radiators, you now know exactly what to do if you happen to hear any noises in your heating system.