The 1 November is National Radiator Day and the Manufacturers' Association of Radiators and Convectors is challenging people's perceptions of these often ignored heat emitters.

This year, MARC wants to draw people’s attention to the importance of radiators as part of their heating system, and has suggested four easy steps to get the best performance out of them.

“There are currently 190 million radiators installed in UK homes and, other than the odd lick of paint and occasional ‘bleed’, we just tend to ignore them. They do the job in hand and, as a result, rarely make it onto our radar,” said MARC chairman John Colling.

“Radiators, instead of a simple steel panel heat emitter, are fast becoming a style item within their own right. So if you are thinking of redecorating your home why now look at the latest styles available.”