Make your home warmer for less with simple painting trick

Temperatures have taken a sudden drop and with the coldest winter months still ahead of us, energy-conscious homeowners are looking for any way to make their homes more energy efficient.

Painting your radiators is one way to make our homes warmer for less, according to Jimmy Englezos, Senior Brand Manager from Ronseal.

According to Jimmy, it is a common myth that painting a radiator black will help to marginally increase its heat output, he explains: “A radiator’s heat output is actually more manipulated by the reflectiveness of its paint finish. Shiny surfaces such as chrome or stainless steel will reduce its overall heat output since the shinier surface reduces its ability to transfer heat to the surrounding air.”

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“Matt finishes can greatly improve a radiator's efficiency and heat output, with black being the most efficient colour choice since it absorbs all light wavelengths before converting them into other forms of energy, in this case, heat

“However, the specific change in heat output between matte black and other matte colours e.g., white radiator paint is only around 1%, so don’t feel like you have to stick to black to get the maximum efficiency.

“It’s also important to use the correct type of paint that is suitable for use on metalwork and can withstand temperature changes. Make sure to consult the manufacturer's information to check if the paint can be used on radiators.

“Be careful not to use regular gloss paint as it’s mostly made up of acrylic latex water-based paint, meaning the constant high and low temperatures will result in the paint flaking and peeling. Standard emulsion paint should also not be used as it can be prone to discoloration.”

Jimmy has also shared a step-by-step guide to radiator painting, to ensure a professional quality finish.

Radiator painting step-by-step guide:

1. Turn off your radiator, and allow it to completely cool - The radiator must be fully turned off and cooled so the paint won’t drip down and the finish is ruined. Check the thermostats to make sure the radiator will not turn back on until the paint has fully dried, a period of 24 hours is recommended for this.

2. Clean the radiator and clear the area - The radiator needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove any built-up dirt or grime, otherwise this will be mixed into the paint. To do this, us a damp cloth to wipe down any crevices where dirt may build up. Be certain the space surrounding the radiator is cleared and covered to protect surfaces, especially when using spray paint as the paint application is less direct.

3. Sand the radiator - Use a combination of coarse and fine sandpaper to remove any debris and reset the surface for the new paint layer. This will help the paint to better adhere to the radiator and last longer. Once the radiator has been sanded, clean it again using the same method - a vacuum cleaner may be more effective at this stage.

4. Tape valves/vents – Cover areas on the radiator that you don’t want to paint such as valves and vents with masking tape to protect them from paint splashes.

5. Apply radiator primer - Apply a primer to ensure the radiator is protected and a base coat for the rest of the paint to cling to is created. If there are spots of rust, then use an anti-corrosive primer as this will help prevent further rusting. Ensure the primer is left to thoroughly dry, this usually takes three hours but check the paint manufacturer’s guidance.

6. Paint application - Paint the radiator in the same direction as the grooves of the radiator for a neat finish, making sure to not apply too much paint to the brush. Use long, sweeping strokes and then focus on the ridges and mouldings individually. Work from one side of the radiator to the other, slightly overlapping the previous section as you go, this will help to create an even finish.

7. Leave to dry - Let the first coat of the radiator dry, 24 hours is recommended. You will likely need to add another coat of paint, but this is dependent on the paint that you have used and how you feel the radiator looks. After the paint has settled for 24 hours and you are happy with the finished look, the heating can be turned back on.

For more information and inspiration, head over to the Ronseal website.