How do Electric Radiators Work?

Not all homes have access to mains gas – there are many properties up and down the united kingdom that need to keep warm by other means, either because they’re out on a limb or in an isolated part of the country. While LPG and oil boilers are common solutions, it can leave you at the mercy of your supplier, so what’s the simplest alternative? Of the two.2 million households in Great Britain that use electric heating, more and more are turning to electric radiators because of the answer, but despite that fact, misconceptions about ‘going electric’ still unfortunately persist. Don’t get trapped during a cycle of conflicting opinions – this guide will provide you with everything you would like to understand about electric radiators and bust some myths within the process.

How Do Electric Radiators Work?

Electric radiators are a bit like heating system radiators except they don’t believe in a network of plumbing to deliver heat. They’re standalone units crammed with either thermal fluid or dry elements which heat up and transfer warmth to the encompassing air. Around two thirds of the warmth produced by electric radiators is made through convection (i.e. the movement of warm air) and therefore the final third is given off as radiant heat.

There are many other sorts of electric heating available for purchase, however, they differ from electric radiators in key areas and it’s important to not get them confused. Here are three of the foremost common alternatives:

Blow heaters, or fan heaters, use an exposed wire element to heat up the air, which is then blown out into space.

Convection heaters also use an exposed wire element to heat the air, however, they need no moving parts and believe the natural rising and falling of warm air to distribute heat.

Infrared heaters or radiant panels use radiation (infrared heat) to emit heat. This method relies on heating walls, surfaces and other people directly instead of air volume.

Though all of those products produce heat in several ways, you would possibly be surprised to find out that each one's electric heating systems are 100% efficient at point of use: this is often because all of the electricity drawn from the wall is converted into effective warmth. Watching it this manner, it’s easy to assume that it’s A level playing field for all electric heaters but that’s almost the case – their controllability also plays an outsized think about how efficiently they operate.

Electric radiators stand out from the gang by offering digital weekly programming and precision thermostats so you'll accurately manage your energy usage and reduce your heating bills. Some systems also accompany Wi-Fi control so you'll manage all of your heaters from one point of use, like a smartphone or tablet. employing a heating app on your phone also gives you access to features like energy usage statistics to assist you retain an eye fixed on your habits and identify further ways you'll economize.

Making the Move to Electric Heating

As renewable energy becomes more common, electronics are becoming a clear choice for a sustainable future. Unlike gas boilers, there is no inefficient combustion and no harmful emissions - only efficient and controllable heating without running maintenance costs.

In comparison, heating system is notoriously temperamental, seemingly breaking down at precisely the wrong time. Sadly, its biggest strength is additionally its greatest weakness: by counting on one source of warmth to supply warmth to each radiator, the entire system grinds to a halt as soon as the boiler stops working.

Electric radiators don’t have this issue – they’re modular units that will be installed and replaced individually. This suggests you'll create custom programming schedules and temperature levels for each space in your home. They’re an outstanding solution if you would like a controllable heating plant that’s easy to put in. Simply plug them into the closest 3-pin socket and you’re able to go!

Before you create the move to electric radiators, it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of other electric heating systems to make sure you’re finding the proper solution for your property.

Alternatives to Electric Radiators

Storage Heaters

Storage heaters are another popular heating solution which may capitalise on the cheaper night-time rates of economy electric tariffs. If used correctly, they will be a wonderfully cost-effective solution, but their limited controls, unresponsive heat and hulking appearance isn’t for everybody. As storage heaters are designed to slowly release heat during the day, they have a tendency to be at odds with latest lifestyles because people will normally be far away from their properties during working hours. In contrast, electric radiators offer precision control and in-depth programming facilities, so while they'll not be ready to use cheaper night-time rates, you'll still economize by accurately managing your system.

Infrared Panels

Infrared panels are a reasonably new alternative that sport ultra-slim designs, but as they require a line of sight to be best, they have a more considered approach when it involves placement. These heaters use radiant heat only and make a more uniform warmth from floor to ceiling, however, they are doing take longer to urge to temperature due to their gentler heating style. You'll still prefer electric radiators as an option if you would like responsive warmth because they quickly warm the encompassing air, and therefore the additional benefit to the present is that they will be placed almost anywhere to effectively heat your space.

Electric Radiators - What You Ought to Search for

The first thing you ought to consider when trying to find an electrical radiator is whether or not it's the proper wattage to heat your space. Larger rooms will need higher wattage products or multiple heaters to make sure they’re adequately warmed. We always recommend rounding up to subsequent nearest wattage when choosing an electrical radiator to avoid purchasing a product that will be underpowered for your room size. There’s no harm in purchasing a rather more powerful radiator – all this suggests is that the heater will cut more often once your room is comfortably heated. An underpowered radiator, on the opposite hand, will struggle to heat your spaces and waste more energy within the process.

You’ll also get to believe the sort of heating method you prefer: some radiators use dry thermal elements, which are quick to heat but quick to cool; whereas oil-filled electric radiators retain heat for extended but are slower to reply to changes. Many are designed to be wall-mounted but others are often portable when purchased with accessories so you’re liberal to choose the installation method you favor. If you’re considering fitting electric radiators en bloc, we recommend consulting an electrician first to make sure they won’t overload the ring main of your property. knowledgeable is going to be ready to conduct a fast assessment and supply you with guidance when it involves fitting your units.

Our site features a handy electric radiator calculator to assist you discover the proper wattage for your rooms. Just input a couple of simple details about your room dimensions and your property and that we can point you in the right direction.

Electric Radiator Running Costs Explained

With any heating plant, it’s not just the unit price of the heater you would like to think about but also any installation costs, running costs, and potential ongoing maintenance. Two of the most benefits of electrical radiators are that they don’t require annual checks and most are often installed DIY so you’re already saving money from the start!

If you compare gas and electric tariffs, it’s easy to be trapped within the unit price, but don’t be deterred – electric heating offers A level of control far beyond the heating system, making it even more economical. Running costs for any heating plant will vary from property to property due to the amount of variables at play, but the key points in mind are your thermostat, insulation, property location and your current energy tariff.

Thermostats and Programming

The mechanical thermostats often used with heating system systems use two pieces of metal that expand and accept the warmth to modify your home heating on and off. Needless to mention, this isn’t exactly a flowery little bit of kit: mechanical thermostats are often as inaccurate as 3 °C, causing your system to overheat your space and waste energy within the process. The digital thermostats in electric radiators are much more precise as compared and are, at most, only a fraction of a degree out when it involves reading your temperature. Using the RC Wave as an example, electric radiators are ready to monitor temperatures within a ± 0.2 °C level of accuracy, ensuring that you’re using the bare minimum amount of energy to stay your spaces comfortably warm. An accurate thermostat means your system will turn on less often so as to take care of your temperatures, and with good insulation, this suggests your heaters will only be attraction ⅓ of the time. When combined with full 24/7 programming, electric radiators provide total control over your energy usage, trimming down your heating bills within the process.

Insulation and Property Location

Insulation may be a crucial part to any heating system: even the foremost efficient products will waste energy if your property loses heat too quickly. Small investments to your home can help to enhance thermal retention, whether it’s by adding draught excluders or loft insulation, so it’s certainly worth considering them as a long-term thanks to reduce your energy bills. This is often especially important for properties that are exposed to the weather – with no surrounding buildings to act as a windbreak or to supply residual heat, it’s even more important to make sure your house is as thermally retentive as possible.

Electrical Tariffs

Tariff switching is another essential a part of keeping your electric heating running costs low. Gone are the times of supplier loyalty – tariff hopping is such a ubiquitous a part of home heating in today’s world that there’s a profusion of comparison sites online and a few high-end products are even being designed to modify automatically to make sure you’re always on the simplest deal. It’s always worth shopping around to ascertain what tariffs are available because rates are constantly changing and even a penny can make all the difference.