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Walney showcase radiator innovations - Tuesday, January 1st, 2008


Walney radiators, the supplier of high quality radiator products in the UK, will be showcasing its unique aluminium range at the KBB show at the NEC in Birmingham from 2-5 March.

 The aluminium products come from Italian radiator manufacturers, ProjectClima and K8, companies which have made a huge impact in the industry. 

ProjectClima is a relatively young company, creating the Adacto collection which is a new and unique concept. Built in aluminium using a variety of tiles in different shapes, colours and finishes, the customer has complete control over the design of a radiator, producing their very own work of art.

 “The ADACTO radiator has been designed with an aluminium profile with the help of a professional team of engineers and after undertaking several tests at the Polytechnic of Milan’s University,” says Massimo Melloni of Project Clima. “The main characteristic of the profile section is the capacity to withdraw a very high quantity of energy from the water that goes through it. This process enables you to use a very limited quantity of water compare to traditional radiators”

 “From an aesthetic point of view, the radiator has been created with the help and advice of many experts and designers, and it has the characteristic of being covered by aluminium tiles (covers) that once on the radiant base, can offer limitless possibilities and many customising choices,” explains Melloni.

 “The uniqueness of this range is of instant appeal to both designers and the discerning home owner,” says Hale. “We’re already experiencing a huge amount of interest in the products.”

 The K8 range of aluminium products are made through a property technology, based on extruded aluminium for units and collectors too, not to be confused with aluminium products made through extruded/die-cast aluminium or entirely die-cast aluminium. Their features are unique in Italy, both from a technical and from an aesthetic view point. With 90 per cent less water content than traditional radiators, these products offer unrivalled water content.

 “The K8 range is unique because it is available in any RAL colour” says Hale. “They also are available in any size and therefore can easily replace the existing radiators without breaking any wall to reposition water piping, a consistent saving for whoever is installing them.”

 Why choose aluminium?

Today’s average family home is quite different from that of twenty or thirty years ago. Nowadays many houses are left empty as both parents work, children are at school and weekends are spent out and about. Furthermore, the current climate change means that winters aren’t as cold as they once were. These issues make a remarkable impact on our heating requirements. 

“Conventional central heating systems with stainless steel radiators were all well and good when people were at home more often than not and needed a radiator that would retain heat for as long as possible,” says Sara Hale, marketing manager at Walney Radiators. “But these heating systems took up to an hour to get the house warm because of the amount of water that had to circulate in the system. The differences in the way people in today’s society live their lives have had an impact on what people want from their heating system – steel panel radiators are no longer economical for many households.”

 It’s not just a quick to heat system that people are looking for when they buy a radiator. “People want their radiator to look good too,” says Hale. “The radiator has become something that many people show off and make a feature of, not something that is hidden away in a corner. In addition, people are more conscious of environmental impact then ever before – so they don’t want to waste energy.” 

So can the discerning radiator customer have their cake and eat it – that is, can they have a radiator that will tick every box? Hale believes that they can, “For a long time our showroom has been graced with an array of futuristic creations that would satisfy the most design-conscious buyer – so that box is easily ticked. However, the challenge is in making design-led radiators emit heat quicker, whilst being kind to the environment.

 “The answer lies in the type of radiator material. Your major options are cast iron, stainless steel and aluminum. Cast iron is great for its traditional good looks, stainless steel doesn’t rust and retains heat for a long time, but in my opinion, aluminium is the best for today’s average household.”

 So what is it about aluminum radiators that is so special? “The main advantage is their low water content,” says Hale. In fact, aluminum radiators hold eighty per cent less water than their conventional counterparts. This means that the water quickly heats up and circulates, so you can turn on your central heating when you get home and your house or apartment warms up immediately, being extremely responsive to thermostat changes. This converts to excellent cost efficiency and lower bills for the homeowner.

 “Aluminium is also non-corrosive, says Hale. “This is due to the fact that once exposed to air, the surface of aluminum will quickly develop a thin, microscopic layer of oxide over its top, which will stop the metal from rusting. A further advantage is that aluminium radiators are very light and easy to install compared to conventional models. This means that they can be mounted on almost any wall, and installation fees are often lower too.”

 Choosing an aluminium radiator is better for the environment. As well as wasting less energy when in use, aluminium collected for recycling can circulate in an almost endless cycle. The loss of metal from oxidation during smelting is negligible, averaging only a few percent of the total mass. The quality of the re-melted metal is so high that it can be used for the same product time and again.

 “Lastly, there‘s the matter of sheer style and good looks,” says Hale. “The great thing about aluminium radiators is the infinite range of designs, finishes and colours available.”