Aluminium Radiators FAQs

Aluminium radiators, such as the Afinia range from Grant UK, are made from aluminium rather than steel or iron. They have a low water content which combined with the excellent thermal conductivity of aluminium, makes this type of radiator highly responsive to changes in the temperature demand.

Aluminium radiators work in same way as steel radiators. The water within the heating system is heated by a heat generator (such as a boiler or heat pump) and the heated water is then circulated through the system pipework and radiators within the property. As the hot water flows through the radiator, the heat is transferred into the radiator body where the heat is then emitted into the room in which the radiator is located warming the surrounding area to the required temperature. Cooler water then flows away from the radiator and is recirculated through the central heating system and heat generator to be heated up again to repeat this process.

Aluminium radiators differ to steel radiators because they tend to have a lower water content which helps aluminium radiators heat up faster than traditional steel radiators. Aluminium radiators also have a greater thermal conductivity, up to 5 times when compared to that of steel and other traditional radiator materials.

Aluminium radiators are more efficient than traditional radiator materials such as cast iron or steel. Aluminium is a great conductor of heat which allows the radiators to heat up and cool down very quickly and, combined with their low water content, offer better efficiencies when compared to that of steel and other materials.

Modern radiators, whether they be made from steel, copper or aluminium, tend to be more efficient than their older counterparts. In addition to being efficient, radiators today also need to fulfil the aesthetical preferences for a home. Aluminium radiators, such as the Afinia range from Grant UK, are sleek and stylish in design while also being incredibly efficient so they can fulfil the requirements for many homes.

Aluminium radiators are very good conductors of heat and they are suitable for installation with multiple types of heat sources, from oil and gas boilers through to air source heat pumps and other low temperature systems. They are also simple to install and incredibly responsive so they can either heat up or cool down quickly when changes in the temperature demand are requested via the controls.

As with all types of radiators, when you install aluminium radiators, wall space will be needed to site these heat emitters, and this can sometimes affect the location of furniture within a room as it is important that radiators are not blocked or covered. Aluminium radiators are usually supplied in a sleek, off-white colour but for homeowners looking for radiators in a wider array of colourways, the choice of radiators may be limited.

Yes – aluminium radiators are a great addition to any home. If you are thinking of upgrading your radiators to aluminium radiators, make sure you speak to your installer to ensure that the correct size of radiators are specified and installed. It is also important that your installer assesses the existing pipework to make sure the new radiators are compatible. To learn more about the benefits of aluminium radiators, as well as other types of heat emitters, please visit our Knowledge Hub.

If you are researching new radiators for your home, you should speak to your heating engineer to discuss the options available to you as it is important that the correct radiator size is specified for each room within your home. This will be determined by several factors.