Radiator Replacement: Professional Measures

The time required for professional removal and installation can vary significantly. It depends on a number of factors, including the location and number of connections, valves, and other fittings. Additionally, the type of radiator you’re upgrading to and the complexity of the new technology compared to the old one also play a role. Generally, this is a relatively quick procedure. If in doubt, ask your heating system installer how long the replacement will take and determine how much time to plan for the job.

If you hire a heating installer to replace your radiators, they will, of course, also dispose of the old radiators. This is highly recommended. Not only do old radiators weigh up to 20 kg, but they are also classified as scrap metal and must be disposed of properly. This requires thoroughly cleaning and draining them. Recyclable metals can then be separated and recycled. Otherwise, private disposal will incur transportation costs and possibly a fee at your local waste collection point.

If you decide to install underfloor heating instead of new radiators, you can expect many benefits. However, it’s important to note that such a heating system should only be considered after energy-efficient renovation of the building. Otherwise, this measure is unprofitable due to the poor cost-benefit ratio.

A heated towel rail radiator naturally has different dimensions than a “standard” bathroom radiator, which, of course, isn’t a problem for the contractor. Installing an additional electric heating cartridge will also prepare you for cool summer days when you might want the bathroom a few degrees warmer but don’t want to turn on the entire heating system. It’s also possible to install an electric radiator in the bathroom. In this case, consider energy costs when planning.

According to German rental law, tenants can rely on the technical standard that was in effect at the time the building was constructed. According to the Federal Supreme Court, this directly applies to the heating system, including radiators. If it is in the contractual condition, i.e., as originally seen, the landlord is not obligated to take any measures. Accordingly, an outdated heating system does not constitute grounds for demanding modernization or even a rent reduction, even if the system is inefficient or if the rest of the building has previously been modernized.

However, the landlord’s obligation to modernize includes the aforementioned obligation to replace the heating system after 30 years, as per EnEV. Regardless of the complete replacement, which is also the landlord’s financial responsibility, the landlord is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the heating system, including the radiators. One of the criteria here is the heating capacity. It must provide a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in the living spaces.

• make sounds?
• does it heat up only at the top or unevenly?
• doesn’t heat up at all?
• work with high heating costs?

In these cases, other measures should be taken initially, which may lead to success. These include purging the heating system and hydraulic balancing. If the radiators don’t heat up at all, the pressure in the system may be too low. In this case, the heating water supply will need to be topped up. Additionally, valves, pipes, and other critical areas should be regularly inspected for blockages and contamination. If heating costs are excessively high, it may be worth replacing your thermostats with programmable or smart thermostats.

If the radiators and boilers were installed together, the answer depends on the age of the entire system. Various information can be found online about the age at which replacement is considered. A good guideline is approximately 15 years of operation. Many heating systems in Germany are older than this. According to the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV), constant temperature boilers older than 30 years are subject to replacement. Technically, it is recommended to replace radiators no later than this age.

As mentioned earlier, upgrading a heating system after such a long period of use significantly changes the energy conditions, and the old radiators are no longer suitable for the new system. While operation may still be technically feasible, it is often impractical from an economic and environmental standpoint.

In principle, it’s impossible to make a general statement about the service life of radiators. Estimates range from 40 years of operation to 20 years. Factors such as contamination of the pipes due to very long service life also play a role, so the final decision on whether old radiators can continue to be used rests with the contractor.