FAQ

Hissing coming from a radiator connected to the central heating system usually occurs when an electric heating element is installed in this radiator. The characteristic hissing can be heard when the heating element is oversized, e.g. when an element with too high power is selected, but also when the tubes in the radiator are adjacent to each other, leaving no space for the circulation of the heating medium

Noise coming from the radiator is usually caused by too high a flow rate on the valve, which may result from incorrect installation parameters or an inappropriate valve selection. If your radiator is making noise, determining the exact cause and eliminating it will probably require the help of an installer.

The distribution of heat in an electric radiator is the result of particle diffusion within the heating medium and heating medium circulation. As a result of both of these processes hot liquid particles mix with cool particles and distribute heat across the radiator.

The collector in which the heating element is installed is the hottest part of the radiator and the pipes in the lower part of the radiator usually remain cool. This is expected behaviour.

The cool pipes at the bottom are a result of the 7 cm so called dead (not heated up) zone in the heating element. The dead zone allows safe operation of a heating element installed through a T-piece in a radiator connected to a central heating installation. When the heating element is connected through a T-piece the dead zone covers the length of the T-piece, however, when the heating element is installed directly in the radiator, the zone moves upward resulting in the lower temperature of one or two lower pipes. In addition, in narrow and high radiators the upper part can also remain cooler due to the air cushion (protection against excessive pressure rise), in particular at lower temperature settings and while the radiator is warming up.

Chrome coating is not airtight. Naturally occurring micro-pores cause penetration of the chrome layer. While water is not a major threat, other chemicals, especially chlorine, and other substances found in washing powders and fabric dyes may react causing micro-cracks, delamination, fading, and ultimately even corrosion of the radiator.

Terma applies solutions that protect chrome radiators against the danger of corrosion, cracks and discoloration in accordance with the highest and most advanced world standards. Two protective layers are applied on each radiator before chrome plating.

The first one – the copper layer, is very tight. It provides adequate adhesion and constitutes ideal corrosion protection. Copper forms a stable 20 microns layer. It repairs any steel surface inadequacies in a gentle and permanent way, which ensures a very smooth surface for the application of subsequent layers.

The second layer – the nickel one, is a primer for the application of chrome coating and provides additional corrosion protection. Copper and nickel coatings are tight, but characterized by low mechanical resistance. Therefore, we apply the third, chromium layer, which lightens up details and changes colour from delicate shade of brown to pure silver. Additionally, chrome coating is highly resistant to mechanical damage. Chromium is resistant to neutral agents, so a damp towel will not affect the aesthetic value of the heater. However, if the same towel is soaked with an active agent the risk of discoloration or other damage appears. To keep a chrome-plated radiator in an ideal condition for a much longer period of time than is guaranteed by Terma, please adhere to the following guidelines. Firstly, under no circumstances clean the surface of chrome-plated radiators with products containing chlorine in any form. Secondly, do not use abrasive cleaners.

Radiators from Terma's offer available in chrome version are:

Alex in basic version, with built-in One heater (Alex One) and in electric version with warm air blower (Alex Blower)
Bone in basic version and with built-in One heater (Bone One)
Dexter in basic version and with built-in One heater (Dexter One)
Diamond
Domi
Easy in basic version and with built-in One heater (Easy One)
Fiona in basic version, with built-in One heater (Fiona One) and in electric version with warm air blower (Fiona Blower)
Intra in classic version and with mirror (Intra M)
Lena,
Marlin in basic version, with built-in One heater (Marlin One) and in electric version with warm air blower (Marlin Blower)
Michelle,
Mike in basic version and with built-in One heater (Mike One)
Plain Towel Rail (cast iron radiator frame)
Perła and Perła E (electric version)
Pola in the basic version, with built-in One heater (Pola One) and in the electric version with a warm air blower (Pola Blower)
Retro and Retro S
Simple in the basic version and with built-in One heater (Simple One)
Spiro
Vivo in the basic version and with built-in One heater (Vivo One)
Zigzag

Detailed information on the availability of selected sizes for individual models can be found in the product cards. For technological reasons, not all sizes from the series can be subjected to galvanic processes.

Aluminum radiators are lighter than steel radiators and heat up more easily, but their resistance to mechanical damage is definitely lower than in the case of radiators made of steel profiles. The category of steel radiators is also characterized by a wider variety of forms and greater thermal efficiency.

To bleed the Terma radiator, simply prepare a small container and unscrew the bleeder. When water starts to leak from the bleeder hole, close the bleeder again. Done! To show you how the radiator bleeder process works, we have prepared a short instructional video.

In the case of a small bathroom, it is not easy to find space for all the necessary devices. At Terma, we look for solutions that will allow for the functional use of even small spaces, hence the proposal of very narrow radiators that will fit behind the door. We also offer radiators that can be used to accommodate additional right angles, usually in bathrooms defined by the chimney draft. 

If the radiator remains partially cold and also makes disturbing noises such as hissing, gurgling or water pouring, we can be almost certain that it is air-locked. Venting will be necessary to ensure optimal efficiency of the central heating system and maintain the required temperature in the rooms.

It is always a good idea to bleed the radiator before the heating season starts, when the heating medium in the system remains cold. What will happen if we do not bleed the radiator? Air remaining in the installation pipes will cause the entire heating system to operate suboptimally, and consequently will have a negative impact on its thermal efficiency. If we hear gurgling and hissing, and the radiator remains partially cold, it is a sign that the radiator definitely needs to be bled.

Cast iron and aluminium radiators differ in two basic features resulting from the properties of the material from which they are made.
A cast iron radiator, made of cast iron ribs twisted together, is characterised by high thermal inertia. This means that the waiting time for the radiator temperature to change resulting from changing the settings on the valve will be longer than in the case of radiators characterised by low inertia, e.g. aluminium radiators. A cast iron radiator will heat up longer, and after turning the valve, it will give off heat longer than an aluminium radiator, in the case of which we can expect rapid heating and rapid cooling.
The second important feature is durability. Aluminium is softer and has a shorter service life than cast iron, so an aluminium radiator will not be as durable as a cast iron one. The longevity of cast iron radiators makes them an acquisition for generations, after renovation, even hundred-year-old cast iron radiators successfully heat interiors.

The main reason why a radiator connected to a central heating system remains cold is the blockage of the pipes supplying it with the heating medium (i.e. water from the system). In such a situation, it will be necessary to dismantle the radiator and unclog the system, which may have been clogged by scale deposits.

Water pouring and gurgling are the sounds most often complained about by users of radiators that are connected to a system that has become air-locked. This means that there is gas in the installation pipes, and consequently in the radiators, which negatively affects the circulation of the heating medium. Most often, to eliminate the problem, it is enough to bleed the radiator.

The most common cause of incorrect operation of a radiator is its air lock, however, if this problem has been ruled out, you should look for other irregularities, or... quite the opposite. The specificity of the thermostat's operation is that it adjusts the flow of water to the radiator depending on the conditions outside. If the thermostat is set to "3" and the radiator remains cold, it may mean that the temperature difference outside and inside the room is not large enough to start the supply of hot water to the radiator.

In the event of a drop in outside temperature, it should be expected that the temperature on the radiator's surface and in the room will increase. What if this does not happen?
The cause of the problem may be too low a temperature of the heating medium in the central heating system, which should be verified in the settings on the heating boiler (in the case of a household using an individual boiler room, it is usually said that the temperature on the furnace should be "raised"). It is also worth checking the correct flow of the medium in the installation. It should be remembered that the further the radiator is in the parallel installation, the greater the flow required to obtain the required temperature on it.

If the radiator connected to the central heating system is completely cold, the cause is most likely a blocked system. In such a case, it is best to ask a specialist for help, who will check the patency of the pipes supplying the radiator. If the radiator is not heating well, the problem may be its airlock - in such a situation, most often the upper part of the radiator remains cold while the lower part heats up. Another cause of poor heating of the radiator may be the lack of adjustment of the initial setting on the supply valve.

Our radiators are available in many types of finishes, which have different aesthetic values ​​and functional features
Radiators made of steel profiles are painted with powder paint, and most models are also painted with liquid paint. Selected radiators are also available in chrome coating, Aluminum radiators, like steel radiators, are painted with powder paint, while in the case of cast iron radiators we offer both powder paints, liquid paints, and galvanic finishes with unique decors.

Radiators can be divided according to various criteria, the basic division based on the method of supplying the heating medium includes central heating radiators and electric radiators.
Radiators connected to the central heating system (C.H.) require equipment with appropriate valves, which can be used to regulate the flow of hot water from the supply system. In the case of most Terma central heating radiators, it is possible to additionally equip the radiator with an electric heater, thus obtaining a water-electric radiator. Installing a heater will allow us to use the radiator as a dryer or room heater also outside the heating season, e.g. in early autumn.

The second category are electric radiators, in which the heating medium is oil. Such radiators have a factory-installed, selected model of electric heater. They are ready to work immediately after connecting to the electricity network using a selected type of cable. They are perfect for rooms to which the central heating system has not been connected, e.g. in attics or summer houses. They can also be an alternative to central heating radiators. installed in bathrooms if their main function is to dry towels (particularly in the case of low-temperature central heating systems and access to cheap electricity resources, e.g. thanks to photovoltaic panels).

In the case of the vast majority of Terma radiators, the distance from the wall is adjustable to the extent that it allows it to be adapted to the user's needs. In all of our source materials, both on the website and in catalogues and technical data sheets, there are technical drawings indicating the possible range of adjustment depending on the radiator model. In the case of tubular radiators, which are to be used not only for heating rooms but also as dryers, it is worth maintaining a greater distance of the radiator from the wall to make it easier to hang towels.

If you are wondering which of the available One heaters is suitable for your chosen radiator model, you will find the answer in the ADVICE tab here. We will advise you which cross-section of the One heater will best correspond to the design of the radiator, and also whether you will need an additional electrical cable cover.

Terma offers radiators in the One version, these are models enriched with a built-in One electric heater. You can read about the advantages of the One heater HERE by choosing any cross-section. By choosing a One type radiator with a straight electric cable without a plug (P), we gain the possibility of hiding it in the radiator mount. This requires appropriate preparation of the water installation supplying the radiator with the heating medium and the electrical connection supplying the heater. Information on the width and height of the connections relative to each other should be read from the technical drawings of the radiator and the valve. Detailed information and an example of correct reading of data from technical drawings are presented in a separate article.

Absolutely. If you do not want or cannot wait for a radiator manufactured to order directly, choose a product from the warehouse offer. In our online store, select the "available immediately" option and you will be shown items that we will send within 48 hours. You can also order a product from the warehouse offer from any of the Trading Partners we cooperate with.

Thank you for trusting Terma products. Information on cooperation and all necessary materials will be provided by our Mobile Seller in your region.

On our website you will find contact details for all Mobile Sellers. After you click on the map of the selected region, the website will display contact details for our Sellers.

Absolutely. We have a machine park and an experienced team that will repaint your profile radiator, or in the case of a cast iron radiator, renovate it.

To obtain detailed information, please submit an inquiry via the contact forms. Submitting an inquiry does not oblige you to provide the service.

The form regarding repainting can be found here.

On our website, in the Terma radiator product cards, you will find the 3D VISUALIZATION tab. Thanks to this application, you can check what a given radiator model looks like in a selected RAL color.

In addition, the application allows you to choose the background color on which the radiator will be hung. As a background, we can choose any shade of the selected color or one of the interior designs we have proposed. It is also possible to upload a photo of your own interior and place the selected radiator model on its background.

Comparing photos of the same interior filled with different radiator models, or an identical radiator model but in different colors, will make it easier for you to make a final decision.

3D visualization also gives you the opportunity to zoom in on a detail and view the product from different perspectives, which allows you to get to know the product better.