Cast Iron Radiators: How to Heat Rooms With High Ceilings

At Radiators 4u, we recommend cast iron radiators as the best possible solution to heating a room with a high ceiling. But before we explain the benefits of a cast iron radiator, let's look at some of the challenges of heating a room with a high ceiling.

Why is it difficult to heat rooms with high ceilings?

Heating a room with a high ceiling is challenging due to the increased volume of air in the room. Because heat rises, if a room has an inefficient heating system (such as a convection or forced-air heating system), you’ll find you spend a lot of time and money heating the top of the room while the lower parts stay cold.

When you add the problem of poor insulation and drafts, common in older buildings, you are fighting a losing battle with your heat disappearing through the walls, ceiling, windows and doors.

Convection heaters and forced-air systems, such as air conditioning units, are inefficient methods of heating rooms with high ceilings. This is because these types of heaters rely on transferring heat to the surrounding air, which typically only travels in an upwards direction. Air also absorbs heat poorly and loses temperature quickly when the heat source is turned off. As a final insult, any warm air remaining in the room will soon dissipate when a door or window is opened.

As a general rule of thumb, convection heaters are four times less efficient than cast iron radiators. So what makes cast iron radiators the more efficient choice when heating rooms with high ceilings?

While it’s true that radiators do rely on convection to heat a room, cast iron radiators also produce radiant heat.

Radiant heat directly heats objects and surfaces, which can absorb and retain heat more efficiently than the surrounding air. By doing this, radiators help homeowners maintain a consistent and even temperature throughout a space, reducing the occurrence of hot and cold spots in a room.

Cast iron radiators also retain heat well. Residual heat will be left in the room even after the boiler has been switched off. This will help to save energy and reduce heating costs.

For homeowners comparing the pros and cons of steel and cast iron radiators, a cast iron radiator will typically be a little more expensive than a steel radiator. However, a cast iron radiator will retain heat for longer than its steel counterpart. A cast iron radiator is also considered a more durable choice and when maintained properly, can last a lifetime.

At Radiators 4u, our cast iron radiators have stood the test of time and are manufactured using a process that has barely changed in the last 200 years. But, of course, we cannot ignore the aesthetics of a cast iron radiator. So whether you are looking for the perfect period-style radiator to compliment your Georgian, Victorian, or ultra-modern home, our radiators exude sophisticated style.