BS EN 442 Regulations, Delta Ratings and What That Means For You
The BS EN 442 Regulations were brought in as a way to protect consumers and ensure that they’re not being misled or mis-sold on radiators that won’t provide enough heat output for their properties. The main way that BS EN 442 regulations do this is by stating that all radiators must be tested and presented at a delta rating of ΔT50 with manufacturers evidencing this with a Declaration Of Performance (DoP).
Whilst most companies seem to have got the memo, there is a large number of sellers out there either un-aware (or through pure negligence) still just list BTU which isn’t enough.
Why Is This Important?
When shopping for a brand new radiator you may have seen the terms BTU and Delta Rating ΔT, this is a way that radiators measure the heat output of a radiator. However, like most industries there are bad actors and players in the field who either exaggerate heat outputs or mislead by using a higher Delta T number other than ΔT50 which is stated by the BS EN 442.
A company can state a radiator provides a high BTU output but without knowing what delta rating this has been tested can leave you with a radiator connected to your central heating system that’s underpowered and isn’t giving you the desired ambient temperature.
What Is A Delta Rating?
Delta T (ΔT) is the difference between the average temperature of the water inside a radiator and the ambient room temperature. For example, if the average radiator temperature is 70°C and the room temperature is 20°C, the Delta T is 50°C
(70C−20C=50C).
What Does This Mean For You
This means that you need a trusted radiator supplier for your home or project. Without seeing what delta rating factor ΔT has been tested at then the numbers you’re seeing are all just smoke and mirrors.
Unless you specifically see that Delta ΔT50 is listed then these companies are selling these illegally. As a different delta rating can mean a drastic BTU. The UK's standard for radiator heat output is based on a ΔT50 rating, which corresponds to a mean water temperature of 70°C and a room temperature of 20°C.
This standard is crucial because it ensures that heat outputs (measured in Watts or BTUs) from different suppliers and products are tested under the same conditions. This allows professionals and consumers to make fair comparisons when selecting a radiator.
How Are Companies Misleading You With BTUs and Delta Ratings
To see how companies are misleading you, here is an example:
If we have a radiator at 5118 BTU at ΔT50
Delta Rating | BTU Output |
|---|---|
ΔT40 | 3839 BTU |
ΔT50 British Standard | 5118 BTU |
ΔT60 | 6500 BTU |
ΔT70 | 7933 BTU |
As you can see the numbers for BTU drastically change, essentially leaving you in the cold.
So now you know what to look out for when purchasing a radiator. We always recommend using a compliant trusted radiator company for all your needs such as Just Radiators.