REPLACE HEATERS: SUGGESTIONS AND COSTS
Renovate home and replace heaters?
Easy!
Broken radiator not repairable?
No problem! It replaces!
What are radiators
The radiator (or radiator) is nothing more than an element of the heating system and specifically it is the terminal that diffuses the heat inside a room.
The performance and price of a radiator are influenced by the materials used and the number of elements it is made of.
Improperly called "radiator" (which is actually the name of the physical phenomenon that triggers in a hydraulic circuit), the radiator has undergone significant changes over time both at a technical and aesthetic level.
Today it looks like a real design element.
How a radiator is made
A radiator is equipped with several modules side by side in series and four threaded openings:
• Valve: o "loading" opening;
• Holder: o "discharge" opening;
• Vent
• Closing cap
When to replace a radiator
The heaters can wear out or fail and therefore need to be replaced.
The most frequent damages concern the valves:
• Purge valve: which removes the air accumulated in the circuits.
• Thermostatic valve: which regulates the flow of liquid according to the temperature to be reached.
• Lockshield valve: which regulates the flow speed of the liquid.
In addition to the needs described above, a radiator can also be replaced only for purely aesthetic or design reasons.
Choice of radiator
The choice of the radiator can be made based on the material from which it is made or based on the type of application and functionality.
1. By material they are divided into:
• Cast iron radiators: undoubtedly the most used material up to the 90s thanks to its technical characteristics. In fact, this material is able to heat the environment even when it is turned off because it gives off heat by inertia and in doing so allows savings in the bill. On the other hand it has very long heating times.
• Steel radiators: they work exactly the opposite of those in cast iron, that is, they heat up immediately but cool down just as quickly. They are therefore the suitable solution for rooms where it is necessary to obtain heat immediately but then the room is abandoned (Ex: bathroom, closet, ...).
• Aluminum radiators: material used especially in the last 20 years. It represents an intermediate solution between the previous two. It lends itself well for being worked and for creating design solutions.
2. By shape they are divided into:
• Horizontal heaters: they are the classic heaters that develop horizontally and are installed on the wall.
• Vertical heaters: they develop in height and are suitable in environments with high ceilings. They represent a good design solution.
• Floor heaters: used very little, they do not require wall installation but are placed near the flooring.
How to replace radiators
Given that replacing a radiator is complex and dangerous work and suitable only for professionals, below are the actions to be taken:
• Eliminate the air inside the heater by opening the lockshield valve;
• All the water has come out, close the upper valve and seal the bottom lockshield screw;
• Loosen the nuts on the supports;
• Slowly and carefully detach the heater from the wall by removing the shanks connected to the valve and lockshield;
• Take the new radiator and connect the new shanks to the upper valve and the lockshield;
• Before hanging the radiator, make sure that the breather, the closing cap and the two fittings for the entry and exit of the hot water are assembled (consisting of a male threaded sleeve fitted inside a female threaded ring);
• Place the new radiator in position and screw the lockshield union;
• Now carefully, carefully unscrew the lockshield screw so that the liquid entering pushes the air out of the unscrewed upper valve union;
• When the water starts to come out of the upper filler, you can tighten it definitively and then open the valve;
Replacement costs
The costs to be analyzed when replacing the radiators are:
• price of the new radiator
• labor price
In general, however, aluminum radiators cost more than steel or cast iron ones and design radiators cost more than classic models.
1. All-plasterboard tips:
2. SAVE MONEY: always ask for 4-5 quotes before carrying out the operation. The variety of proposals will make it possible to compare prices and execution methods.
3. PROFESSIONALISM: as already mentioned, replacing a radiator is a "fairly simple" operation and the temptation to save money can take over. Our advice is to rely on installers and professional plumbers who can then issue certificates or documents of correct installation.
4. DESIGN: more and more in modern renovations, radiators take on a fundamental aspect in furnishing spaces. Calmly evaluate the huge range available in the various specialty stores.
CAUTION:
The advice to get an optimal job is to contact a highly specialized company that can help you.
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