Just 20 years ago, choosing a central heating radiator was a no brainer. You chose a white, rectangular radiator made of steel or cast iron because that's all they had. Nowadays radiators have become home decoration items in themselves and you have a huge choice of styles, colours and materials. But appearance aside, you must take many factors into account before ordering. With Radiators being one of the most important elements of central heating installation, you need to get this procedure right. Here are some factors you should bear in mind when shopping for radiators for your central heating system

Firstly, before you choose your radiators, confirm whether you have a direct or indirect heating system. Then, you need to work out how much heat each room requires. Your plumber or heating engineer will determine this from such factors as the sizes of your rooms. There are also calculators that allow you to work it out for yourself. Radiator heat outputs are measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) or in Watts.

Next you have to determine the optimum location of the radiators in your rooms. Heating engineers agree that the best location for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. In addition, they traditionally specify that radiators should be installed on the external wall beneath the window. This allows the cold air coming in via the window to be warmed up. With modern double glazing and insulation methods, this tends to be less important, however. When determining the location of your radiators, try to optimize your use of existing pipework as much as possible. Installing new pipes can be expensive and disruptive.

You should also note that a double radiator has less heat output than two single units thought the overall size may be the same. In other words, two single radiators are more efficient than one double. You should bear this in mind if installing in a large room.

One good thing about modern designs is that you have much more flexibility in locating your radiators. For example, if the existing position of furniture is limiting your options, you can choose a tall, narrow unit that takes up minimal floor space.

So after measuring up for your needs and deciding on location, you're ready to order your new radiators. Now you can decide whether you want a designer or traditional radiator and decide on factors such as colour and material. Selecting online is a smart move as it allows you to see the whole range of designs in one place. But after choosing your radiator, it's good to talk to an expert before placing your order. Installing new radiators is an important project and the human tough is vital for your satisfaction.