Faced with replacing your boiler, but you’re also left wondering when the best time is to change your radiators?
It’s only natural to think about your whole system and the heat it provides when getting a new boiler. Perhaps you’re worried about your old radiators not giving off enough heat, or being full of sludge build-up. Perhaps your radiators are too small, or you want them to look prettier.
But should your radiators be changed at the same time as your boiler replacement – or afterwards?
As an experienced heating engineer, I’m going to tell you the best time to replace your radiators, and some other advice for doing just that.
But first…
Do your radiators definitely need replaced?
If your radiators simply aren’t heating, or have never heated a room properly (common for radiators fitted in new extensions), then it could be that you will need to replace them. Let your engineer know so he/she can take a look at them. They should be able to listen to your concerns and provide the best solution.
Just remember not to be ‘economic’ with the truth – your engineer is not a mind reader, and will take your word for it if you say your radiators are doing a sufficient job of heating your home.
It’s one of the worst things to be cold in the depths of winter because your radiators just aren’t getting hot enough.
When is the best time to change your radiators?
If you’ve spoken to your heating engineer (or two or three!) and replacing your radiators is definitely necessary (or your rooms are underheated) then the best time to replacing your radiators is at the same time as replacing your boiler.
This is because during your boiler replacement, the system is drained down and your pipework will be cleansed (depending on your setup, your pipework may also be undergoing alterations at the same time).
Replacing all of your radiators at the same time is definitely the most cost-effective way to do things. Why? Well, otherwise it will be more expensive in terms of labour if someone has to come back six times just to replace one radiator at a time (for example).
Advice from an experienced engineer
Maybe you’re thinking of replacing your radiators purely for aesthetics – or perhaps your radiators just aren’t doing the job they were designed for. You may even be looking to gain some more space for new furniture or a fitted kitchen.
My advice to you is that if just a few of your rooms feel cooler, replace the radiators in those rooms. If it’s to get more space for a new kitchen, simply move one radiator.
However, if you’re renovating a property, you’d be as well replacing all of your radiators – and probably your boiler as well.
I’ve personally been to a lot of newer properties where the builders seem to install very small radiators in the bedrooms. In this case, changing them from a single to a double panel of the same size is the most cost-effective way to make a difference heat-wise. It also means the least upheaval.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading. Hopefully I’ve managed to give you a better idea of when the best time to replace your radiators is. There are many reasons you may be looking to replace your radiators, from the way they look, to just not being warm enough in your home.
Either way, a reputable heating engineer should be able to help advise you on your next steps, and the radiators that will work best for your home.
If you do have any questions I’ve failed to answer above, just leave me a comment below. I’ll be happy to help!
