A radiator is a heating device primarily used for space heating.

A radiator is a heating appliance primarily used for space heating. It’s mainly employed in the cold northern regions during winter, providing warmth. Traditionally, cast-iron radiators were widely used, but nowadays, radiators made from a variety of materials have emerged.

Cast-iron radiators have gradually stepped off the market stage, as steel radiators, copper-aluminum composite radiators, and aluminum radiators—each offering superior materials and manufacturing processes compared to cast-iron radiators—have become the most popular choices in today’s market.

In cold regions like Northeast China, heating systems have replaced traditional features such as firewalls and heated brick beds, becoming people's new source of warmth.

How a radiator works: The temperature of the radiator will never exceed the temperature of the hot water flowing through the pipe beneath it. Although this is a new technology, it still follows the principles of heat transfer and the law of energy conservation—specifically, the temperature of an object being heated cannot rise above that of its heat source; otherwise, energy would no longer be conserved. As a result, the radiator’s temperature can at most match that of the hot water in the pipe, but it will never surpass the water’s temperature. In practice, however, radiators inevitably release heat into the surrounding space, which means their actual temperature will typically remain lower than the hot water inside the pipe. Some buyers might wonder: "Then, how much cooler can the radiator get compared to the water?" This question depends on many random factors and is difficult to pinpoint precisely. It’s closely tied to room temperature, the size of the space, and whether the room is well-insulated and prevents heat loss. For instance, if the room temperature is low, the space is large, and the room isn’t properly sealed (allowing heat to easily escape), the radiator will radiate a significant amount of heat into the environment. Consequently, the radiator’s surface temperature could drop considerably below that of the hot water inside the pipe.