Refilling electric bathroom radiator - help please !! All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[Andrew1234]

The electric heating element on my 2 year old bathroom radiator has failed. Am trying to avoid using a plumber and have bought a replacement - am amazed to find that the fitting instructions specify filling it with a mix of 75% water & 25% anti-freeze mix whereas I expected some sort of special oil to be specified.
Does anyone have any experience of undertaking this job?

[ericmark]

Since the electric element can be used as well as hot water that seems to make sense but normal electric radiators use transformer oil with is a vegetable oil and I have used cooking oil in the past where it has leaked out. I wonder what is done to allow expansion?

[m7ohn]

Not sure of the mix but i know you are meant to leave a bit out for expansion. Don't know about the anti-freeze but surely an anti corrosion inhibitor would need to be mixed with de-ionised water so you won't get limescale build up and corrosion.

Marcus

[chris_on_tour2002]

this type of water-filled electric radiator is quite common now, you fill the rad to 90% capacity in most cases (manufacturers instructions should specify) to give 10% for expansion. a corrosion inhibitor should definitely be used.