LST or low surface temperature radiators have exploded in popularity, and they’re incredibly safe in a number of ways. An LST or Low Surface Temperature radiator works very differently than traditional radiators, but the benefits are so great that they’re mandatory in many new construction projects. And these benefits are so important that LST radiators are becoming the norm in new buildings and retrofits. But what are LST radiators, and why are they so important? We’ll also discuss how they’re different from conventional radiators.
WHAT ARE LST RADIATORS?
Traditional radiators work through both radiation and convection. LST radiators only work through convection. An LST radiator is designed to have a low surface temperature, though it is still used to heat up a room. It brings in air from the bottom of the radiator, moves it past the heating elements full of hot water, and blows the warm air out the top of the radiator. The casings are separate from the copper tube containing the hot water.
LST radiators are now mandatory in a number of buildings and situations, though their benefits over other forms of heating are causing their widespread adoption. Visit Radiator Outlet to learn more about them.
WHY ARE LST RADIATORS SO IMPORTANT?
A low surface temperature radiator is safer than the conventional model. If someone touches it or leans against a traditional radiator, they could be burned in moments. The LST radiator eliminates this safety hazard. You can’t even be burned by the hot air coming out of the top of the radiator. LST radiators are ideal for public spaces and facilities with children and vulnerable adults; due to their safe design, LST radiators may be mandated over the traditional alternative.
The safety factor is not to be underestimated. In 2010, nearly two thousand people were injured in public buildings by a radiator or section of hot pipe. About 1,400 of these accidents occurred in places of education like schools. All of these cases warranted a hospital visit, and that means many more were burned without ending up a severe enough case to be documented in the Leisure Accident Surveillance System. Nor does this include the burns that took place in private homes.
Anyone who has a duty of care toward their charges, whether you’re talking about a nursing home or daycare center, has an obligation to minimize such risks. In fact, government rules now require such buildings to install radiators that do not have a surface temperature over 43°C. This makes LST radiators important for facilities like schools and nursing homes because they’re legally mandatory. In comparison, traditional radiators can get twice as hot, often exceeding 75°C.
The design of LST radiators allows you to enclose the base grill, keeping children away from both the radiator and all hot pipework. It is the only totally safe option for childcare facilities. They can be bought with locks, too, to keep the inquisitive out of the system. Their rounded edges and corners make them safe for anyone who may fall against them, as well.
For these reasons, those building new public facilities may be legally required to install LST radiators. If your facility meets the NHS Guidance for ‘Safe Hot Water and surface temperature’, you have to rely on LST radiators. While schools and childcare facilities have already been mentioned, this government regulation includes sheltered housing, nursing homes, and doctor’s offices. And if you’re refurbishing a public facility, medical building or childcare facility, you’re probably legally required to replace old radiators with LST radiators. If the elderly, young or vulnerable live there or visit there, you’re now required to put in Low Surface Temperature radiators.
There’s another reason you have to have a low surface temperature radiator, and that’s the fact that you must some sort of heat source in these facilities. For example, heating regulations state that school classrooms must be at least 18°C. If it isn’t, students and staff can be removed from the space until it is warm enough. If the existing radiators in the building aren’t quite good enough, consider adding LST radiators to the colder areas to ensure everyone is warm enough.
HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT ARE LST RADIATORS?
LST radiators are, on average, as efficient as traditional radiators, if not better. One of the benefits of LST radiators is that they can quickly react to temperature changes since they have a fraction of the mass of conventional radiators.
Traditional radiators have a high water volume and high mass, so it is difficult for them to respond to temperature changes. This can result in wasted energy as it overheats a room. In contrast, an LST radiator can reach the right temperature in a matter of minutes. They’re better able to adapt to changing outdoor temperatures and solar heating, keeping everyone comfortable without wasting energy trying to maintain a high temperature in the room. The low mass of water required for LST radiators may reduce the load your radiators put on your boilers. On a large enough scale, you’ll significantly reduce heating and hot water costs.
The outer cover of the LST radiator hardly affects its heat output while providing a safe-to-touch surface. In fact, many LST radiators have an internal cover that reflects heat that may be lost back into the room, maximizing the heat that is put out into the living space.
LST radiators are more efficient than the alternatives to traditional radiators. Electric radiant panels and underfloor heating are slow to reach the desired temperature. In the case of underfloor heating, it can take hours to get warm enough. That wastes a lot of energy. In comparison, LST radiators will warm up in minutes and heat up the entire room quickly after the temperature in the room falls below a set point. Once things are warm enough, it turns off immediately and doesn’t continue to overheat the corner it sits in.
While LST radiators are an excellent choice for maintaining a safe and comfortable environment, for those looking to upgrade their heating systems without extensive remodelling, retrofit floor heating panels can be an alternative solution. These panels can be installed with minimal disruption, complementing the efficiency and safety of LST radiators in a modern heating system design.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF LST RADIATORS
There are reasons aside from safety and energy efficiency that explain why people are installing LST radiators. For example, they provide greater flexibility. They can look like a white plastic square or be hidden behind a wood panel. You can find LST radiators that already come with a variety of colors and high-quality finishes. You have far more aesthetic choices with an LST radiator, at least in terms of the outer casing of the radiator. The fact that the exterior won’t create a safety hazard means you can safely put it close to heat-sensitive electronics or the main walkway of the home. After all, no one is severely burned if they brush up against it. The entire cover ensures that no surface is over 43°C.
The safety features increase the number of places you can put the LST radiators, as well. You can put them at knee level without worrying about someone hitting a sharp corner or hot surface. If you want it at floor level, that’s perfectly fine. Don’t be afraid to put it in the hallway or entryway to your home – it will make your home that much warmer and inviting.
The fact that these radiators can have almost any profile means they can be safely located alongside stair railings and under seats.
The relatively high energy efficiency and steady heat output makes maintaining a constant interior temperature and even heating profile far simpler when you use LST radiators.
Because LST radiators are designed for safe use around the home by the elderly and the vulnerable, as well as children, it is rather straightforward to find models with easy to grip heating controls that can be used by the elderly and disabled. You’ll enjoy these same benefits as you age and you won’t have to worry about the safety of your pets around these radiators, either.
Since LST radiators are generally designed for use in hospitals and schools, they’re typically made to withstand damage. They can handle being hit by equipment, trolleys, and toys. They’ll stand up to use and abuse better than other models. There’s a good chance they’ll last much longer than the alternatives.
A side benefit of being child-proof is that they’re vandal-resistant. Most LST radiators have security fittings that prevent unauthorized access to the emitter.
Because low surface temperature radiators are made for care homes, medical facilities and other places hosting vulnerable populations, you can find models with anti-bacterial paint. This improves the overall safety of the device and protects the health of the users, whether it is installed in a nursing home or private home. There are coatings proven to reduce bacteria by up to 99.9% before you’ve done anything else like cleaning the radiator cover.
Dusting the exterior of the radiator is certainly easier than trying to clean a traditional radiator. If something does happen to the exterior casing, their security fittings make them quick and easy to install when replaced. The interior of the average low surface temperature radiator happens to be easy to clean, as well. A single person can open the covers and do regular deep cleaning and maintenance before putting it back. This is an invaluable feature when high levels of hygiene are mandatory.
The easy to use controls make them suitable for use in a mother-in-law suite or child’s bedroom. Anyone can safely use them in any part of your home.