When installing a new gas boiler, it’s the perfect time to evaluate your entire heating system; and that includes your radiators. Modern boilers are designed to be more energy efficient and deliver better performance, but if your radiators are outdated or damaged, they could be holding your heating system back.
At Stelrad, we understand the importance of pairing the right radiators with your boiler, which is why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to upgrading radiators with a new boiler. From assessing your current radiators to choosing replacements and installing them correctly, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Guide to Upgrading Radiators with A New Boiler
The first step in upgrading radiators with a new gas boiler is to assess the radiators currently installed in your home. Over time, radiators can become inefficient due to sludge build-up, or simply become too small for your heating needs, especially if you’ve made changes to your home, like an extension or room conversion.
Check for obvious signs of wear and tear, such as cold spots, rusting, leaking valves or inconsistent heating. Also consider whether your current radiators are sized appropriately for each room. A new gas boiler will deliver better efficiency, but to take full advantage of it, your radiators need to have the correct heat output to match the space they’re in.
If your radiators are undersized, your rooms may still feel cold even with a new boiler. Similarly, oversized radiators can cause the boiler to cycle too quickly, reducing efficiency. To ensure optimal comfort and performance, it’s important to consider replacing any units that are no longer up to standard. Investing in new radiators is one of the most effective ways to maximise the performance of your new boiler and reduce long-term energy costs.
Choosing the Right Radiator
When selecting new radiators, it’s not just about appearance; although style certainly plays a role. You also want radiators that are built to perform efficiently with your new gas boiler system. At Stelrad, we offer a wide range of radiators tailored to meet the demands of modern homes and heating systems.
One of our most popular ranges is our Compact collection, known for its clean, minimalist design and high performance. It’s a great all-rounder and perfect for those looking for reliable radiators that blend seamlessly into any space. For a more contemporary look, the Compact Vertical Line and Compact Horizontal Line radiators offer smooth, curved edges and elegant finishes that add a touch of style to any room without compromising on heat output.
No matter your preferences or requirements, Stelrad has a radiator to suit. For more in-depth advice, don’t forget to read our blog post: “Choosing The Right Radiators for Your Gas Boiler Heating System.” It’s packed with helpful insights to guide you in choosing the perfect radiator to match your home, budget and boiler.
Flush Your System
Before you install any new radiators, it’s highly recommended to flush your heating system. Over the years, central heating systems can develop a build-up of sludge, rust particles and other debris. These blockages can limit water flow, reduce heat efficiency, and damage your new boiler or radiators.
Flushing your system removes these unwanted contaminants, ensuring your new boiler and radiators operate at their maximum potential. It’s an essential step in the guide to upgrading radiators with a new boiler, and can lead to lower running costs, more consistent heating, and longer equipment lifespan.
Whether you opt for a chemical flush or a power flush, cleaning the system helps prevent cold spots in your radiators and reduces the strain on your boiler. If you’re unsure about how to flush a radiator or need further support, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us. Our team is happy to offer guidance or recommend professionals who can help you carry out this important task.
Check the Pipework
When upgrading radiators with a new gas boiler, many homeowners forget to consider their existing pipework. Your pipes are the highway that connects your boiler to each radiator, and they must be compatible with the new system and your selected radiators.
Older pipework may be narrower or less efficient at delivering the higher flow rates required by modern radiators. Not only that, but if you are installing radiators of a different size or heat output, the flow rate and pressure requirements may change. This might mean adjusting or upgrading your pipework to ensure it can handle the new system effectively.
In some cases, you may also need to move or reroute pipework to fit your new radiator positions or sizes, especially if you’re updating your room layouts or redecorating. A professional heating engineer will be able to assess your current setup and make any necessary recommendations. It’s always best to tackle this at the same time as your boiler upgrade to minimise disruption and future costs.
Installation and Balancing
Proper installation and balancing are key to ensuring your heating system performs at its best. Even the most efficient radiators won’t work effectively if they’re not installed correctly or the system isn’t properly balanced.
Balancing involves adjusting each radiator so that they heat up evenly and at the correct speed, ensuring no single radiator takes more heat than it should. This improves the overall efficiency of your system and helps maintain consistent room temperatures.
At Stelrad, we offer a range of helpful tutorials and technical advice to support radiator installations as well as how to fit a radiator and how to balance radiators. These are ideal for those confident with DIY, but for most homeowners, we recommend professional installation to guarantee everything is set up for maximum performance. You contact our experts at Stelrad for support, and we can help connect you with experienced installers who are familiar with our products.
Upgrading Radiators with a New Gas Boiler
Upgrading your gas boiler is the perfect opportunity to modernise your entire heating system, and that includes your radiators. As this guide to upgrading radiators with a new boiler has shown, checking the condition, heat output and size of your existing radiators is a vital first step. Replacing older or inefficient models with high-performance options from our range can enhance comfort and reduce energy costs.
Don’t forget the importance of flushing your system to remove any sludge and debris before installing new radiators. Also, take the time to check whether your current pipework is compatible with your new radiators, upgrades may be necessary to ensure optimal flow and performance.
Correct installation and balancing are essential for long-term performance and efficiency. With our tutorials, product support and professional guidance, you can feel confident that your heating upgrade will go smoothly from start to finish.
Whether you opt for aluminium radiators, steel panel radiators, column radiators or something different, we have the perfect radiator to pair with your new gas boiler. Explore our full product range, and don’t forget to read our dedicated blog on “Choosing The Right Radiators for Your Gas Boiler Heating System” for even more helpful advice. For any questions or assistance, contact Stelrad today, we’re here to help you make the right choices for your home.
