An easy way to balance nuclear reactors a bit more would actually be to disable the 1x1 reactor block, because they are kind of superior in all regards (except maybe looks and compactness) compared to the 2x2 reactor block. Easier to work with, easier to control, easier to automate, moderator rods are twice as powerful in them due to touching more sides (even touching another 1x1 reactor counts as 2 sides), etc.
Disabling them would remove some complexity from reactor designs, but the additional limitations caused by their disappearance would in turn add new complexity in other places, like automation and control. Also I believe the radiation is also a thing without IC2.