Frequently Asked Questions
Simple answers to the questions we get asked most often!
Square Top – Simplistic design with each section featuring a square shape along the top.
Round Top – Simplistic design with each section featuring a rounded shape along the top.
Classic Column – Traditional radiator with structured, square edges and a classic design.
Scroll Top – Sleek, upscale design with scrolled tips on either side of each column.
Decorated – Fancier than your average round top, decorated radiators feature intricate designs engraved into the cast.
Scroll Deco – A combination of both scroll top and decorated styles, this style features scrolled tips on either side of each column and beautiful engraving within the cast.
Full Deco – Unique in its shape and decoration, full deco radiators have gorgeous engravings along the entirety of both sides, making them relatively uncommon.
Rare – Radiators that are one-of-a-kind or hard to find, they do not fall within any of the typical styles listed above.
You cannot unless the steel radiators and the cast iron radiators are zoned as two systems in the mechanical room and the type of boiler supports this.
Yes, the heat from a cast iron radiator is not hot enough to burn or pose a safety hazard.
Cast iron radiators can last for centuries. They seldom have any issue, unless a house without heat freezes in cold temperatures.
The boiler should be serviced, usually annually in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. The valves on each radiator should be visually inspected each year and the air should be bled out of the radiators.
Radiators are bled prior to start up of the system in the fall, but also whenever the system has been drained to perform any work on the system.
Typically, no. Introducing fresh water into the system increases corrosion as cast iron rusts when mixed with oxygen, which is found in water. If there is a blockage in the radiator, which is rare, flushing can be used to remove it?
A heat loss calculation should be done on a room or whole home to determine how many BTU’s of heating are needed. Based on that, the size of a radiator is determined.
A bracket secured to an area of a wall with blocking behind it allows for a radiator be hung from the wall.Â
A wall stay is a rod that goes through the space between two columns of a radiator in order to secure it to the wall. This prevents the radiator from tipping over if one should use enough force or accidentally bump into it. Although not mandatory in Canada, they are recommended for safety purposes, particularly in spaces frequented by pets and/or children.
Escutcheons cover the area surrounding your risers. It hides the hole in the floor/wall that surrounds your risers, providing a cleaner, more “finished” look.Â
A connection fitting made of black iron pipe that is threaded on both ends. Both ends can share the same thread direction, or have opposite thread directions. They are utilized to connect a female by female valve to a radiator outlet.Â
A fitting used to change the thread direction from left-hand thread to right-hand thread.
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It is utilized to calculate the amount of heat output a room needs to maintain sufficient warmth.
Controls the flow of water to the radiator. Manual radiator valves have to be open and closed by the individual to regulate whether or not the radiator emits heat.
TRV stands for thermostatic radiator valve. These valves control the heat emitted by the radiator and automatically adjust themselves to regulate the amount of water flowing into the radiator. You can then adjust and balance your system room by room.
By zoning areas in a home, you can increase energy efficiency, achieve customized comfort levels, and reduce energy waste in unoccupied or unused areas. This is achieved through installing a zone control system along with TRVs on each of your radiators. It’s important to work with a qualified technician to install and maintain the system properly.
You should change your control valve if you notice the radiator is leaking. Most radiator valves are original to the radiator and should be looked at annually and proactively changed to avoid leaks or other issues. Leaking valves are the most common cause of riser rot.
Yes – this can be done by having a qualified technician install new rough-ins in the location you would like your radiator placed. The radiator would be connected to the new rough-in via the new risers, and the existing risers in the old location would be capped off.Â
Risers are the pipes that come out from your main line and either emerge from the floor or from the wall. They are what allow water to flow from the main line, into your valve and then into your radiator to create heat and allow for the water to return back to the boiler.
Yes, all bleed valves are the same size in North America, the standard size being 1/8”.Â
Steel radiators heat up and cool down faster than cast iron, meaning that cast iron radiators are more likely to give off consistent, steady heat over a longer period of time. Differences in lifespan also differs between the two; steel radiators last around 20 years while cast iron can last for over 100 years.
Overall, hydronic radiators are a better option than forced air for those looking for a more comfortable, energy-efficient, and reliable heating system for their home. Heating a house with hydronic radiators is quieter, distributes heat more evenly and does not blow dust or circulate airborne allergens like forced air does.
Hydronic heating is generally considered more efficient than steam heating. This is because hydronic systems use hot water to heat a space, which can retain heat for longer periods of time and distribute heat more evenly than steam systems. In addition, hydronic systems can operate at lower temperatures, which reduces energy consumption and can save money on utility bills.
