Electric Radiators

Why choose an Electric Radiator?

An ideal solution for properties without a gas supply. They are also the modern alternative to water filled central heating systems which run on a series of copper pipes and boiler, or they can be a useful addition to a property in which running copper water pipes to a certain part like a conservatory might be deemed as inefficient.

Types of electric heating

Different types of electric radiators are available, such as water filled radiators powered by a heating element, infrared flat panel radiators, dry heat radiators, electric radiators with a soap stone core for slow release, electric heated towel rails and the more old fashioned oil filled radiators. 
Storage heaters were an extremely common type of electric radiator, they still do exist but popularity has diminished and often we get calls to replace storage heaters.

How efficient are Electric Radiators?

All electric radiators are 100% energy-efficient because they use all their energy to create heat. There’s no heat loss. 
The energy to power electric heater is more expensive at current, with electricity more expensive than gas, but as more renewable forms of electricity production are provided to people and people can generate electricity and power through solar and wind in their own homes then electricity costs will surely fall, electric radiators are often considered the heating of the future and many customers choose them to future proof their heating system.

Some key aspects when considering any heating items efficiency are insulation and controllability. A heater producing heat into a well-insulated home means the heat will be retained which will mean the heater has to work less in order to provide the heat and thus less cost.

Control of the heater, many electric central heating systems now offer a timer set up so the heater can be set up to heat when you require or  your lifestyle dictates and also many options have WIFI or smart control, which means controlling the electric radiator away from the home for a changing lifestyle can be actioned and ensure no waste.

Costs to run electric radiators

Costs increase through usage, naturally, so having control of when the electric radiator is on and off is paramount to controlling costs. Be aware of unscrupulous claims of extremely low running costs, the electric heating radiator needs to heat and that requires 1 Watt in to 1 Watt out, nothing can work better than that.

How to buy an electric radiator

The first question that you will need to answerer is what heat you require, whenever considering heating a room this is the paramount consideration, so understanding the heat required is important and we can help with that. We have a heat calculator on our home page.

Then the style of heater will be important, what kind of look and what colour suits you and your home, with an ever expanding range of electric radiators there is a style and colour to suit all from, flat panel subtle heaters to designer electric radiators. The space it will be going into may have a bearing on this decision. Is it going under a window and you only have a certain distance from the floor to the window sil? Or is it to be vertical and fit a gap between 2 pieces of furniture?

With the style you like are you going to have a wall mounted electric radiator or is your preference a freestanding electric heating radiator. Different styles of electric radiator offer options to have feet added, for example electric cast iron radiators would normally always come as floor standing due to the weight. Electric column radiators offer an option to mount to the wall and still get the traditional radiator look.

Sizes of electric radiator

Electric radiators are available in various shapes. For example, there are horizontal electric radiators and vertical electric radiators, electric heated towel rails can be compact and designer electric radiators including electric column radiators come in a great range of sizes and depths. They also come in various colours and finishes, white is of course very popular, but also available are many colours, colour match to major paint companies and even wood , stone and differing textured materials like bamboo, raw metal electric radiators or glass!

Electric convector heaters explained

Electric convector heaters have an internal electric element that warms the air next to them. The warm air rises and moves around the room, creating a cycle of hot and cold air that eventually heats the whole room.

Different types of heat from electric radiators:

A Watt of heat is a Watt of heat irrespective how the electric radiator produces, so if you room needs 900Watts then you need 900 Watts of heat.

Electric heating radiators can use different ways to produce and emit that Watt:

Water filled with electric element – a theory tried and tested, heat the water to then release the heat, this is extremely similar to the conventional gas heating systems we are just using a heating element to produce the heat as opposed to a gas boiler.

These are very popular and with good reason, reasonably priced, easy to install with models coming ready to just plug in. Many styles available including electric cast iron radiator, electric column radiators and designer electric radiators, mean you do not have to compromise on beauty when selecting an electric heater.

Infrared panels also known as radiant heaters, this is heat that is generated from a heat matt, the heat comes from the panel in lines and heats in a way the sun would by send rays to the objects it can reach.

They offer a good option for space saving as they are normally very thin and discreet. Usually they are lower priced due to the subtle simple design and limited parts. They are often limited to lower wattages of heat output.

Dry heat radiators, usually using copper wiring or heat matts, this offers a good liquid free option to generate heat. More style conscious models can be at the higher price bracket as the technology is new.

Soap stone core, these radiators offer an ability to release heat slowly. This can be advantageous for day long heating when the person might have the heating on all day long in winter. It prolongs the heat created during the convection process.

Oil filled electric radiators, still widely available but to many considered an older way to produce heat, oil is no better emitter of heat than water and at that point there seems to be little reason to use it considering it is bad for the environment and if it does leak a very nasty substance to deal with.

Features of an Electric Radiator

Electric radiators can have a range of differing controls, from the more basic on/off element style in electric heated towel rails up to the WIFI / smart  controls that can be specified with designer electric radiators.  Some useful features to look out for are:

• 7 day Programmable timers: this feature allows you to schedule the heater to turn on and off at times that suit your lifestyle. Usually having multiple programs (i.e., different times can be scheduled for weekdays and weekends) and customisable options.
• Remote control: this feature allows you to turn the heater on and off  and adjust temperature using a handheld controller. Great for people for people with mobility needs.
• Thermostatic controls: this feature automatically turns a radiator off if its surface temperature reaches a set limit. It’s an important feature to have in homes with young children or vulnerable adults. An electric towel rail with thermostat is very useful
• Element with thermostatic control: operating on a dial system so turn up or down manually to correspond with a heat level, a really good option for those that don’t want a reliance on technology for control.
• Element with boost option: more used in the electric heated towel rail market, they offer a 2hr boost to ensure the rail can be sued in summer without emitting heat all day.
• Integrated digital controls: an all-encompassing system  that is usually built into side or top of the electric radiator

Controlling Electric Radiators

Smart controls:
Smart electric radiators have built-in technology that enables them to be connected to the internet through Wi-Fi. They can then be controlled remotely through a smartphone or tablet or with a smart speaker using voice commands. This allows you to control the radiator more precisely, set timers and be in control of usage.

Manual central thermostats:
A more conventional way of operating the electric radiator is to have a central thermostatic and the electric radiators are controlled by that, this will require your initial input in respect to 7 day programme and temperature setting but thereafter whatever heat the central thermostat reads will dictate the usage of the heaters. 
 
On/off at source :
This is literally turning the electric radiator on and off at the plug or a button on the unit. Not recommended anymore as it means potential wastage and higher costs.

Maintenance of Electric Radiators

Electric radiators are a sealed system so what is contained within stays within, in some cases very limited moving parts and generally considerably less maintenance than a central heating wet radiator

There should be no requirement for any annual maintenance.  

Cleaning is important and suggested before prolonged usage so dust is not circulating.

While the electric radiator is unplugged or switched completely off a small amount of soapy water can be used with a damp not dripping cloth and then the heater left switched off to dry. Or a vacuum and accessories can be used to get into crevices, there are specialist radiator cleaning brushed now available too.

Recap - Key things to consider when buying Electric Radiators

1. What heat output of electric radiator do you need? Heat is most important part here, so make sure you get the correct Watts of output for your space, the last thing you want is to be cold in the winter months.
2. What size will it be? Vertical electric radiators are now popular, great for space saving in rooms and with all the features of horizontal electric radiators. Also low level underneath windows electric heating is available, so the size of radiator shouldn’t be an issue because many sizes are available but important to get right to suit your room.
3. Does the way it emits the heat play a role in your decision?  As noted a Watt of heat is a Watt of heat, different ways of emitting heat offer some differences, whether they amount to a tangible difference is something we would be happy to discuss further knowing your specific needs.
4. How will you control it? Are you happy to use an App for control via WIFI or would you prefer a central thermostat and a more traditional way of operation or are you happy to switch it on and off when you require. In our opinion controllability brings efficiency in running costs but ease of use can be a personal choice. 

After those questions are answered then it’s just down to style and what suits your homes interior and the colour, some would consider those the more enjoyable end of the purchase process!

We are here to help you at every step of the way.