Many modern homes have furnace systems, but if you’ve purchased an older home it is very likely that there will be a radiator for heating. This can seem daunting at first, but if you know the basics, radiator heating is easy to use and maintain. Some even find it better at controlling the heat in a specific room.

Hot-Water Radiator vs Steam Radiator

Hot-water Radiator

Hot-water radiators can have one or two pipe systems and can be standing or baseboard heaters. They are low maintenance, do not add humidity and are less noisy than steam radiators. Hot-water radiators are also more energy efficient than steam radiators. 

In a one-pipe hot-water radiator, hot water leaves the furnace and moves in a continuous loop, returning to the furnace as cooler water. This cooler water is re-heated and sent out once again. A two-pipe system moves hot water to radiators in one pipe and returns it to the boiler in another pipe. 

Steam Radiators

Steam radiators can either have one or two pipes, but can only be standing. They are higher maintenance than hot-water radiators and add humidity to a room. They also tend to be noisier. Steam radiators are less energy efficient than hot-water radiators. 

In a one-pipe steam radiator, a single pipe runs from the furnace to each radiator. Steam is driven through it, fills the radiators, and then condenses and runs back down that same pipe in the form of water. The water is recycled and used again in the next cycle.  In the two-pipe radiator system, one pipe delivers steam to the radiators and a second pipe separately returns condensed water to the furnace.

Two-pipe steam radiators can also be converted to a hot-water radiator. This can be beneficial if you have an old steam radiator, which typically requires more maintenance than a hot-water radiator. Before any conversion, it is important to consider a number of other factors including the size of the radiator and the pressure that the radiator can handle. 

Benefits of Radiators

1. ‍They are efficient
   Radiators retain heat very well, which makes them ideal for extended use. They are an efficient, cost-effective way to heat your house.
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2. They require less maintenance
   ‍Radiators do not contain any fuels that need replacing, and ventilation (or lack thereof) does not compromise the heat they give off. They also do not emit any gases, chemicals or harmful odours when used, unlike many gas heaters that require ventilation to be installed.  It is important that your radiator has a built-in adjustable thermostat, as this will help prevent wasted heat and lower your overall usage.‍
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3. They are reliable
   ‍Radiators typically last much longer than other forms of heat, sometimes even decades! 

Downsides of Radiators

1. ‍They can become loud & noisy
   ‍Overtime, especially with steam radiators, they can become quite noisy including squeaking, banging and whistling. If this happens, it is important to have a plumber come check it out. ‍‍
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2. Needs air flow
   Although radiators do not need ventilation, they do need proper air flow around the unit to effectively disperse heat around your home. ‍
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3. ‍They are hot to the touch
   Some radiators can become very hot to the touch as they begin producing heat. This can be dangerous for any drapes nearby or for children and pets. Of course, this is not the case with all radiators, but it is something to take into consideration when doing your research!

Radiator Troubleshooting: Bleeding

If you find that your radiators are not heating your home enough, the system may need bleeding. Air released during heating of water in your radiator can get trapped and block the flow of water. Bleeding is the process of opening an air vent to allow the trapped air to escape so that water flow can continue. This is only necessary with hot water radiators as all steam radiators start out completely filled with air, and they will bleed automatically if they are working properly.

How to bleed your radiator:

1. Look for the air vent near the top of the radiator.
2. Turn down your thermostat to stop the water from flowing.
3. Open the vent with a screwdriver or vent key. This may cause your radiator to spray water, so have a small rag and bucket ready to catch any sprays.
4. Once the air stops sputtering and the water begins to flow, you’re done bleeding.
5. Close the vent and turn your thermostat back to the desired temperature. 

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