Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Question: cast iron radiators & paint

Options
todd_14
todd_14 Member Posts: 18
Does cracked and peeling paint on a radiator significantly reduce heat output?? 

Does bare cast iron give off heat better than painted surface? 

It is a not a metallic color.  

Thanks for you input 

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,283
    Options
    No, it won't change the output significantly
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,137
    Options
    I would say any insulative coating will slow the heat emission. Bare cast should have a slight advantage, to a painted surface. Older radiators can often have many layers of paint, each layer adding some resistance.

    If so the cracks give you some exposed metal :).
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream