DESIGNER RADIATOR

Oil filled radiators

Most oil filled radiators are stand alone or portable radiators. This means that they are not dependant on the flow of hot water from a central heating system. As a result they can be moved around and switched on and off independently.

This makes them an ideal solution is temporary heat is required in specific (or changeable) locations.

Oil filled radiators versus a central heating system radiator

With a central heating system the water that is circulated throughout the network of radiators is first heated by a central boiler. This boiler can be powered by gas, electricity or other fossil fuels and it is responsible for heating and re-heating the water when the system is in operation. In other words there is a central heat source that distributes heat to the other components of the system.

A separate pump will normally be used to cause the water to flow through the system and the radiators are nothing more than passive heat emitters in a much larger heating network. (A central heating system will normally heat the water for taps (faucets) and other system needs.)

An oil filled radiator differs from a central heating water filled radiator in not just the liquid used to fill it, but also by virtue of the fact that it has its own heater.

Oil filled radiator are powered by electricity and they can be connected to any local mains electricity system simply by plugging them in. Once connected, they can be switched on and controlled with a thermostatic dial or digital setting display.

The reason oil is used is because it does not evaporate, it is highly viscous, it is a good conductor, it heats up quickly and cools down slowly.

Unlike a water filled radiator an oil filled radiator is permanently sealed and it cannot be "bled" or refilled.

For all of these reasons oil is the best medium to use for small to medium sized electricity powered and portable radiators.

Energy usage

As a general guide, most oil filled radiators will use more energy (and subsequently cost more to run) than water filled radiators that are operating as part of a central heating system. However, their flexibility, i.e. you can move them from location to location and room to room, makes the good option when it comes to supplementary heat.

The latest “central heating system independent” designer radiators tend to defy the normal high expense and energy usage characteristics of oil filled radiators. This is because they use either, highly efficient oil heating systems, or different heating methods that rely on new technologies.

Appearance

Most oil based radiators have a heavily ribbed appearance and use convection to distribute their heat.

They will typically have a heat setting dial (or display) and possibly a timer at one end which gives them a very distinctive style. Most oil filled radiators are white in colour and they will have castors (small wheels) to facilitate their transport.