Practical heating advice
Find the right radiator for your space
Start with our small-bathroom guide, or go straight to the measurements, heat output and fitting details you need.
11 Nov
Bathroom Extractor Fan Buying Guide
Choose a bathroom extractor fan by checking the duct size, the airflow it can deliver through your duct, the controls and the electrical location. Confirm the route to outdoors and the mounting position before you buy.Check whether you are replacing a fan or planning a new routeFor a replacement, photograph the fan label, measure the accessible ope..
11 Nov
Timer or Humidity Sensor? Choosing a Bathroom Fan
A run-on timer keeps an intermittent fan running for a set time after its trigger switches off. A humidity-sensor fan responds to the moisture level around its sensor. The exact behaviour depends on the model and installation.When a timer makes senseA timer suits a bathroom with a predictable trigger, such as the light, where you want the fan to ke..
11 Nov
100 mm or 150 mm Bathroom Extractor Fan?
100 mm and 150 mm normally describe the nominal duct connection size. Check the existing duct and the manufacturer’s drawing before ordering. The number on the box does not tell you the size of the front cover or the airflow you will get.Measure the duct and mounting spaceAsk your installer to confirm the diameter of the duct, the wall or ceiling o..
11 Nov
Bathroom Fan Airflow: How to Read the Figures
Compare extractor fan airflow in the same units, then check the flow the fan can deliver through the actual duct. One litre per second equals 3.6 cubic metres per hour.Convert the unitsMultiply l/s by 3.6 to get m³/h. For example, 15 l/s equals 54 m³/h. Divide by 3.6 to convert the other way. This example is a unit conversion. Ask your installer wh..
11 Nov
Bathroom Extractor Fan Ducting and Placement
Start with a route that takes moist air outdoors. Then check the fan is suitable for its intended mounting position, duct run and bathroom location.Trace the route from the grille to the outletA fan on an outside wall may have a shorter route than one in the ceiling. Identify where the duct actually ends and record bends or changes in diameter. A l..
11 Nov
Choosing a Quiet Bathroom Extractor Fan
Compare decibel figures only when you know the measurement distance, operating mode and test conditions. Then ask how the fan and duct will be mounted in your bathroom.Compare like with likeA published dB(A) figure may describe sound pressure at a stated distance. Another listing may give a figure at a different distance, or a sound power figure. K..
11 Nov
Towel Radiator Valves and Fittings: A UK Buying Guide
Choose towel radiator valves in this order: check how the pipes meet the rail, measure the connections, then decide whether you want manual or thermostatic control. Check the fittings and clearances before choosing chrome or matt black.
Match the valve shape to your pipes
A straight valve connects pipes and radiator tappings that line up. An angled..
11 Nov
Manual or Thermostatic Towel Radiator Valves?
Choose a manual valve if you want to adjust the towel radiator by hand. Choose a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) if you want the valve to respond automatically to the air temperature around it and your installer confirms it suits the system.
How the two types behave
A manual valve holds the position you select. It does not sense when the bathroom..
11 Nov
Why Is My Towel Radiator Not Heating Up?
A towel radiator that is warm at the bottom but cold at the top may have trapped air. A rail that stays cold at the bottom or is cold all over needs a different check. Start by comparing it with the other radiators while the central heating is running. If you see an active leak, switch the affected heating off and deal with the leak first.
Start wi..
11 Nov
Towel Radiator Cold at the Top? What to Check Before Bleeding
If the lower bars of a central heating towel radiator warm up but the top stays cold, trapped air is a likely explanation. Check whether it is a water-fed rail and whether that pattern persists after the heating has had time to warm up.
When bleeding is a reasonable first step
Use the instructions for your radiator and heating system. Switch the he..
11 Nov
Towel Radiator Cold at the Bottom? Sludge and Circulation Checks
A slightly cooler return end can be normal. A distinct band of lower bars that stays cold while the top is hot after warm-up can point to restricted circulation, sometimes from debris or sludge. The heat pattern alone cannot show where a restriction is or what treatment the system needs.
Compare like with like
Check the rail during a normal heating..
11 Nov
Only One Towel Radiator Is Cold While the Others Heat Up
When the rest of the radiators are heating but one towel rail stays cold from top to bottom, start with the rail’s normal controls. Confirm it is connected to the circuit currently running and that its user-operated valve is set to allow heat.
Check the controls and timing
A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) responds to the air around it. If the ba..