Cast iron, steel or aluminium radiators consumption

The world of radiators is varied but, fortunately, not immense: usually the choice falls on cast iron radiatorssteel or aluminum. These are three different materials, but all with pros and cons to consider. In fact, if we want to optimize heating costs and consumption, we cannot avoid evaluating the options carefully.

But what does it mean, what details are important to consider before purchasing new radiators for your home? The measurements, the habits of turning on and off, the aesthetic side and also the ease of installation and maintenance are variables to refer to in order to avoid making the wrong choices.

No one likes the idea of ​​wasting energy, but equally there are no individuals ready to freeze to death because the radiator is not efficient. One detail to consider, which concerns all three types of radiators that we will discuss, is the sizing of the devices. In general, large spaces require more radiators or larger models.

On the other hand, to avoid the famous waste of energy, a small room should be heated with radiators of reduced size, to be established in relation to the size of the rooms. But nothing that a heating engineer cannot evaluate for us, for maximum performance without dispersions that damage the environment and wallets.

Cast iron, steel or aluminium radiators: differences, characteristics and consumption

The key words, when it comes to radiators, are “thermal conductivity” and “thermal inertia” of the materials they are made of. The first refers to the ability to transmit heat, the second to the speed it takes to absorb it and release it into the surrounding environment. This is where we must start to understand the differences in question.

If we talk about metals, our minds will probably fly to our secondary school technical education studies, where for the first time we heard that they are excellent conductors and terrible thermal insulators. In fact, since we are talking about steel, aluminum and cast iron, it should be remembered that the thermal conductivity is high, even if with some differences.

Cast iron radiators

The cast iron It is a prodigious alloy, which in the past was used almost exclusively not only for domestic radiators, but also for some models of pots. It takes a long time to heat up, it must be remembered, but once the heat has been stored, it tends to release it slowly and homogeneously.

A cast iron radiator will therefore need time to heat up, but will remain at the temperature for a long time, even after the heating has been turned off. Unfortunately, cast iron is a heavy and expensive material, which requires higher installation costs and its aesthetics for some is too invasive and not very modern.

In terms of consumption, if we set the thermostat correctly, taking into account the technical heating times of the material, we can have a good yield. The radiator in this alloy is not suitable if we need to heat the rooms quickly, but not even if we live in the spaces for a short time, as can be the case for second homes.

Steel radiators

As an alternative to cast iron, there are steel radiators, resistant and solid to impacts, but slightly less heavy than the previous ones. Steel is a material that takes less time to heat up, but it also has good thermal inertia, which means that it remains at the same temperature after the systems are turned off.

But, as with cast iron, even in this case we are talking about a material that is not light, which requires a specific installation with important wall hooks. In some cases, for larger models, a floor base is even recommended. On the other hand, steel is easy to find in less vintage versions than cast iron, for homes with a more modern design.

Aluminum radiators

For some years now the aluminum radiators are increasingly popular options for those who want to personalize their home in an original way. Aluminum is a light material, easy to work and shape. This is why magazine radiators are made of this metal. But is all that glitters aluminum?

On the plus side, it has an almost immediate heating speed, excellent if we need to heat spaces almost instantly. But its thermal inertia is low, which means it does not retain much heat. And then be careful with the treatments: the metal in question fears impacts and dents, but often it also does not get along well with calcareous water.

If its installation is simple and the basic purchase is cheap, more than the solutions seen previously, it is also likely that it needs to be maintained often and specifically. But it is also a good ecological option, as aluminum is a metal that is easy to recycle without losing quality during the process.

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