Outlawing radiators that are sold in the UK with inaccurate or misleading heat outputs is still an issue despite the efforts made by MARC – the Manufacturing Association of Radiators and Convectors.
Whilst things are improving following the campaign launched by MARC in 2020. It’s clear there is still an issue and the rise and rise of the low temperature renewable heating system makes these issues if anything more important and more serious than they were. Radiators that do not meet the standards and do not produce the necessary heat outputs threaten the ability of condensing boilers to operate more efficiently at lower temperatures and the ability of air source heat pumps not generate the levels of heat they need to ensure that homeowners are not left cold in their homes, frustrated by the apparent failure of their heating systems to deliver and annoyingly out of pocket. The problem may not be the boiler, the heat pump or the system set up, so much as the radiators may not have the correct output.
The answer still has to be to buy radiators manufactured by a MARC member, each of whom sign up to a code of conduct and use the test standard BS EN442 to ensure radiators have the correct heat output. It’s vital that you buy and install radiators that are CE and UKCA marked form a reputable merchant or seller online who understands the importance of stocking only quality products. Each radiator manufactured by a MARC member is tested independently and has a certificate to prove conformity.
MARC’s Technical Manager Steve Sutton says: “MARC has been working across the whole industry to ensure that all companies comply with the Construction Products regulations and that their marketing materials and product performance data are correct. MARC and its members are now calling on the wider industry to help raise standards and compliance. One guaranteed way that consumers can have product assurance is to look out for MARC membership. All members of MARC must provide roof of product performance – via CE/UKCA marking – together with test certificates that confirm performance levels of the products.”
Clearly the use of radiators that cannot deliver the heat outputs they claim will adversely affect performance of a heating system and may incorrectly suggest that radiators are unable to provide the necessary levels of heat to provide comfort heating and hot water to a property. Correctly sized radiators can work very well with renewable systems such as those driven by heat pumps. But they need to have been correctly tested to EN442, so delivering heat outputs the manufacturer claims.
It’s important to understand the different modus operandi of boilers and heat pumps. Boilers respond pretty rapidly to being switched on and off and rapidly offer heating levels as required. Heat pumps are different technology and need to be on at a constant level to deliver comfort heating. As a homeowner, you have to get used to the constant heat at 55 degrees C rather than the rapid heating up from nothing to around 60 degrees C flow temperature of a modulating boiler.
The radiator manufacturers have had to get used to a degree of misinformation in the marketplace that underfloor heating is the only solution for low temperature renewable heating systems. That is patently obviously not the case. Radiators will work well with heat pumps if you insulate the home well and replace those radiators that need replacement to provide the performance level you require. Underfloor heating does offer a large emitter surface, but it tends to heat up and cool down much more slowly, and it can be significantly more expensive to fit than radiators. Many new build home developers will not consider underfloor heating for anything other than ground floor accommodation either – insisting on radiators for upstairs rooms.
Radiators are very much relevant to modern housing and to new developments and will continue to offer the best solution for existing homes – many of which in the UK are pre-second world war properties. Make sure you are up to speed with the modern radiator options and the cost effectiveness of their installation.
For more information on using modern radiators contact MARC by calling 01926 513777 or emailing them at mail(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)eua.org.uk.