Why Are Steel Radiators Popular?

Date: Oct 12, 2020 - 1:52 am

Radiators come in all shapes and sizes. Some are made from cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminium. Besides the three, a significant number of models are manufactured from steel or mild steel. Choosing between these options can significantly affect your home’s energy efficiency and your comfortability, especially when the cold weather sets in. Among the four major types of radiators based on the material used, the steel type proves to be the most popular choice. But why is this so? Is it better compared to other types of radiators? Learn more about steel radiators below.

Types of radiators – Similarities and Differences

Before choosing the radiator size or planning where to position the heating system, it pays to known which type suits your household the best. There are various pros and cons of using a specific type of radiator. Knowing these would help you understand why steel radiators have gained a lot of traction through the years and why you should consider using one too. Additionally, it will help you set your expectations in term of the system’s efficiency, durability and operational costs.   

Aluminium 

Compared to other types of radiators, aluminium tends to produce more heat, making it a highly efficient option for large rooms. They also cool down quickly, allowing you to regulate the room’s temperature with greater ease. However, because aluminium is a superconductor, it does come with a hefty price tag. Also, because of its lightweight make, an aluminium radiator can be prone to dents and damages. The lightest bump from kids running around in the room can deform its smooth shape.

Cast Iron 

Only cast iron radiators were manufactured back in the days. They were then replaced by other materials as developments in technology progressed. In recent times, cast iron radiators have been slowly gaining traction once more. This type of radiator is widely known for its robust build. With it, you’ll never need a replacement even after 30 years. However, compared to other types of materials, cast iron tends to heat up slower. Also, they’re the most expensive type of radiator in the market.

Mild Steel 

Steel or mild steel is a widely used material in making radiators because of its durability and affordability. It can last for years, helping you get more value for your money. Manufacturers also find it incredibly easy to use in producing a variety of shapes and designs of radiators, which can suit a variety of tastes and style preferences. No other material can compete with its versatility. The only major disadvantage of mild steel is internal rusting, so it’s crucial to have your boiler serviced regularly. 

Stainless Steel 

Stainless steel radiators are quite similar to the mild steel type. Stainless steel is also a versatile metal, and it’s made extra durable because of its anti-rust, anti-stain and anti-corrosive properties. The only disadvantage to using such type of radiators is that you have to shell out a large sum of money to afford one. Also, you will most likely have a limited design and style options to choose from. 

Benefits of Steel Radiators

Steel radiators offer many benefits to homeowners. One key advantage it offers is its versatility. If customisation matters a lot to you, steel radiator is the perfect choice to use. You can find plenty of customised mild steel radiators that can match your existing interior design. It could also come extra handy for those who are looking for radiators that look modern and chic. Some models are equipped with add-on accessories so you can use them as clothing or towel rack.

Besides its smooth finish and customisation options, mild steel also proves a good investment because of its powerful heat-conducting capacity. This means you can stay warm as long as needed during the cold seasons. On top of that, they can heat up quickly, allowing you to save money and significantly reduce your home’s energy consumption.

Steel radiators are also worth the money because they’re made to last. As long as it stays rust-free, you won’t need to replace your radiator heater. To prevent rusting, here are a few tips you can use to maintain the pristine condition of your steel radiator:  

    • After flushing the system, you can add a corrosion inhibiting solution. Consult your plumber about the best product to use. 
  • Check for leakages from time to time. If you notice leaks, try locating the source and determine if you need a repair or replacement service. 

Install a stainless steel radiator in your NZ home today!

Central Heating offers a variety of radiators for New Zealand homes. If you need help in choosing the type of radiators to install, you can give us a call. Our experts can provide you with the necessary guidance so you can select the most suitable option.

We also offer retro-fitted radiators, perfect for old and traditional New Zeland houses. Get in touch with us today for more information about our offers.  

Brivis Ducted Gas Heaters Review

Date: Jul 10, 2018 - 7:56 am

Ducted gas heating is arguably the best method for keeping your home comfortably warm, especially if you’re living in regions with harsh winter season. It can provide central heating for the whole house whilst allowing you to heat individual zones only when needed.

There are lots of ducted heating brands to choose from, but one that quickly comes to mind is Brivis.

Now a Rinnai company, Brivis has been a household name among Kiwis for over 50 years. They have captured the market with world-class home heating systems tailored for New Zealand’s climate conditions.

The question is which Brivis heater suits your home? To help you make an informed decision, we will discuss here what you can expect from Brivis’ ducted gas heating solutions.

Brivis Ducted Gas Heaters

brivis_gas_ducted_heatingThe ducted gas heating system comprises a heating unit connected to a number of outlets via a system of ducts, which are strategically placed throughout your home and neatly tucked away in the floor or ceiling.

Some ranges such as the StarPro lets you add heating zones, which allows you to regulate the temperature one room at a time or to switch off heating in rooms that are not in use.

The StarPro 6’s Quatrra technology, combined with a 4-pass heat exchanger with a modulating gas valve, enables the unit to maintain a supply of warm air to the entire home using less gas. As the home heats up, the heating unit modulates the gas so only a minimal amount of energy is used to maintain the temperature level. Once the desired temperature level is reached, the heater switches off and the fan slowly comes to a halt to ensure all remaining heat inside the unit is utilised. This clever engineering is what makes it highly efficient and economical.

Among its other notable features are the:

  • Zero ChillTM soft fan that eliminates cold drafts on start-up
  • CustomairTM which adjusts air volume to better match airflow to your home – up to 16 fan speed settings
  • Cool TouchTM double sided and fully insulated cabinets that keeps heat where it is needed.

The other Brivis ranges also have superior benefits of their own.

StarPro 4 is the ideal option if you’re planning to upgrade your old ducted gas heater. It’s a universal internal/external unit with efficiency of up to 4.8 stars, making it a flexible and economic solution. The only drawback, perhaps, is it’s only compatible with natural gas unlike the StarPro 6 which compatible with universal LPG.

If you want a low-cost replacement, the two-piece Wombat range is one to consider. It’s designed to suit virtually all types of homes with external weatherproof units that deliver superior airflow at an economical rate.

Star Rating

The standard rating for efficiency is 3 Stars – any less is not worth looking into. The more stars, the higher the energy efficiency and the more economical the ducted gas heater is to run. On average, a 4-Star unit saves you 13% on energy bills; a 5-Star unit saves you 22%; and a 6-Star unit saves up to 30%.

Brivis offers some of the highest rating units in their respective classes:

  • Wombat series: 3.8 Stars
  • Buffalo series: 3 & 5 Stars
  • Compact Classic series: up to 3.5 Stars
  • Starpro Series: 4.8 & 6 Stars

StarPro 6 is one of the only two highest rated ducted gas heaters in the world.

brivis_gas_ducted_heating_systemsEnergy savings

Space heating eats up a big chunk of your household bills. If you’re looking for a way to maximise energy usage whilst maintaining comfort, zoning is the answer.

In particular, the StarPro 6 lets you conveniently heat up to four distinct zones. This enables you to manually adjust and control heat output for each of the different rooms.

Central heating systems are often designed to effectively heat up the entire home. However, in actual, you only ever use several rooms at a time, not all areas in your home. Having control over the temperature in individual rooms helps you cut your energy bills significantly.

Controls

Brivis offers a range of options for optimal temperature control. The Brivis Touch is simple and easy to use, giving you access to all features and functionality on one sleek interface. There’s a manual controller with the simplest thermostat controls as well as a programmable controller with both auto and manual modes.

Ducted heaters under 4 Star will function perfectly on manual type thermostats, while higher rated systems need an electronic controller.

With the Brivis NetworkerTM installed in each zone, you no longer have to rely on one central controller to manage the heat for your entire home. It’s convenient and simple.

The StarPro 6 ducted gas heaters have an upgrade option using the ICE system of cooling for extra temperature control in the room. This cooling system is placed onto the ducted heater and can be controlled using the same controls provided with the ducted heater.

Costs

Brivis units alone cost anywhere from $3,100 to $5,600 – a fair price if you think about the unit’s performance as well as the potential savings you will get. Expect this figure to go up to three times when you factor in the installation fees or if you want to add extra functionality or combine the heater with a central AC.

The total cost will also depend on the size of your home, the features you want, insulation and your home’s heating demand.

Installation

Many units are compact, splittable and weatherproof, allowing for easy all-round installation especially indoors and in small homes.

To achieve an optimised heating solution for your home, our specialists at Central Heating can custom design the duct layout and specify the appropriate zones for your Brivis ducted gas heater. We have experience in designing practical heating solutions for small dwellings through to large and complex installations. We also repair and service existing Brivis heaters to maintain optimal performance for years.

Once you try a ducted heating system, chances are you won’t ever want to go back. Talk to our Brivis specialists today to know more about it.

Download the Brivis Gas Heating Brochure

pdf_download Brivis Gas Ducted Heating Brochure