can you have electric radiators

Are electric radiators any good?

When it isn't possible to have a central heating system fuelled by gas – like for properties off the gas network – electric radiators are a reliable option. However, the high running costs of electricity put a lot of people off. So, are electric radiators any good? How do electric radiators work?

Should I move to electric radiators?

Before you make 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 right solution for your property. Storage heaters are another popular heating solution which can capitalise on the cheaper night-time rates of economy electric tariffs.

Do electric radiators have their own thermostats?

Many electric radiators have their own thermostat which will really help when it comes to keeping the running costs down. Individual thermostats for each radiator around the home gives you the power to only heat up certain rooms, much like Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) on traditional radiators.

Can I put an electric radiator in the bathroom?

So, if you decide you want to put an electric radiator in the bathroom, make sure to remember these key points: 1 Check the IP rating is at least IPX4 2 Ensure each electrical component is installed in the correct bathroom zone 3 Always contact a qualified installer to fit your electric radiator More ...

Do electric radiator heaters use a lot of electricity?

It depends largely on the type of house, size of room and quality of insulation. However the maximum the heater will cost will per 1unit of electricity per hour, per kilowatt of heat. For example, if you have a1500 W heater the maximum it will use is 1.5 energy units per hour.

Can radiators be electric heat?

Unlike steam or hot water systems which receive heat from a boiler, electric radiators produce heat from electricity at the location of the radiator.

Are electric radiators better than central heating?

Designer electric radiators heat your room as efficiently as your central heating system does. Their main advantage is that they have no moving parts, which means there's less to go wrong and therefore they will need less maintenance – no bleeding, no balancing, and no flushing.

Can you make a central heating radiator electric?

Electric radiators are an increasingly popular option. Consequently, Feature Radiators offers a wide range of electric heater styles including a number of column, cast iron and traditional style radiators as we can provide a DIY electric element kit to convert some of our standard radiators into electric models.

Are electric radiators expensive to run?

In terms of thermal comfort, electric radiators are as effective as gas central heating, but they are not cheap to run. It is estimated that running costs are up to three and a half times more expensive than heating with an efficient gas boiler and standard radiators.

Do electric radiators need a boiler?

A boiler needs to heat up to temperature in order to penetrate the water inside radiators and in turn, make them hot. Now, with electric radiators you don't have the interaction with your boiler. That means there's no risk of going without a warm, comfortable home if your boiler breaks down.

Is it worth changing from gas to electric heating?

Electric heating is better for the environment, easy to install, virtually maintenance-free and allows for individual programming, so you can adjust the temperature room by room depending on your needs. It is versatile, cost-effective and efficient, making it the ideal alternative to keeping your home warm.

What is the cheapest way to heat a house?

1. Gas boiler. A gas boiler is still the cheapest way to heat your home – though that's set to change soon, with the cost of gas rising more than twice as quickly as electricity.

What is the cheapest way to heat a room?

Once you have made sure that heat loss from a room is kept to a minimum, gas central heating is generally your cheapest option. If that's not possible, then consider using an oil-filled heater for larger rooms or an electric heater for small areas if you're willing to use it in short bursts.

Are electric radiators cheaper than central heating?

So, is electric or gas heat cheaper? Using off-peak electricity, conventional electric heating may cost about twice as much as gas heating to run. And here's why: electric heaters are essentially 100% efficient.

Is electric heating cheaper than gas 2022?

Electric heating is more expensive than gas if you only compare the cost per unit of each type of fuel (gas is 4.65p/kWh, but electricity costs 16p/kWh).

Are radiators or electric heaters cheaper?

Overall, for heating the same space, an electric heater costs more than twice as much as using central heating. However, electric radiators can be more cost effective if you're heating a small area of your house like one or two rooms.

Are electric radiator heaters good?

They produce a diffuse heat that silently adds a few extra degrees of warmth to a home office, child's bedroom or any area of a home while the room is in use. Electric radiator heaters can provide this supplemental heat with minimal risk of fire or danger to children or pets when touched.

How do I know if my radiator is gas or electric?

If you see a blue flame, it's a gas heat exchanger. Other units will have a small metal panel that's easy to remove. You can check behind there to see if you see that blue flame. Electric systems don't have that access window or panel and make very little noise.

What kind of heat do radiators use?

Radiators work through a heat transfer process called convection. When water in the radiator is heated, the surrounding air is also heated up via convection and this hot air is then moved around the room as the air circulates.

What is the most efficient form of electric heating?

Infrared panelsInfrared panels These heaters provide all of their heat output through infrared warmth, making them super-efficient for homes and businesses. None of their heat is lost to air movement, allowing them to boast a very impressive 100% efficiency, as they convert every watt of energy taken from the wall into usable heat.

How to choose an electric radiator?

The first thing you should consider when looking for an electric radiator is whether it has the right wattage to heat your space. Larger rooms will need higher wattage products or multiple heaters to ensure they’re adequately warmed. We always recommend rounding up to the next nearest wattage when choosing an electric radiator to avoid purchasing a product that may be underpowered for your room size. There’s no harm in purchasing a slightly more powerful radiator – all this means is that the heater will switch off more often once your room is comfortably heated. An underpowered radiator, on the other hand, will struggle to heat your spaces and waste more energy in the process.

Why is it worth shopping around for electric radiators?

It’s always worth shopping around to see what tariffs are available because rates are constantly changing and even a penny can make all the difference. Purchase costs for electric radiators can vary but you’ll find that even the more affordable ranges still come with designer styling to complement your rooms.

How do electric radiators work?

Electric radiators are just like central heating radiators except they don’t rely on a network of plumbing to deliver heat. They’re standalone units filled with either thermal fluid or dry elements which heat up and transfer warmth to the surrounding air. Around two thirds of the heat produced by electric radiators is created through convection (i.e. the movement of warm air) and the final third is given off as radiant heat.

How effective are infrared panels?

These heaters use radiant heat only and create a more uniform warmth from floor to ceiling, however, they do take longer to get to temperature because of their gentler heating style. You may still prefer electric radiators as an option if you want responsive warmth because they quickly warm the surrounding air, and the additional benefit to this is that they can be placed almost anywhere to effectively heat your space.

How accurate are thermostats?

The digital thermostats in electric radiators are far more precise in comparison and are, at most, only a fraction of a degree out when it comes to reading your room temperature. Using the RC Wave as an example, electric radiators are able to monitor temperatures within a ± 0.2 °C level of accuracy, ensuring that you’re using the bare minimum amount of energy to keep your spaces comfortably warm. An accurate thermostat means that your system will switch on less often in order to maintain your temperatures , and with good insulation, this means your heaters will only be drawing power 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 in the process.

How to keep heat in a house?

Insulation is a crucial part to any heating system: even the most efficient products will waste energy if your property loses heat too quickly. Small investments to your home can help to improve thermal retention, whether it’s by adding draught excluders or loft insulation, so it’s certainly worth considering them as a long-term way to slim down your energy bills. This is especially important for properties that are exposed to the elements – with no surrounding buildings to act as a windbreak or to provide residual heat, it’s even more important to ensure your home is as thermally retentive as possible.

Why are electric heaters so efficient?

Though all of these products produce heat in different ways, you might be surprised to learn that all electric heating systems are 100% efficient at point of use: this is because all of the electricity drawn from the wall is converted into effective warmth. Looking at it this way, it’s easy to assume that it’s a level playing field for all electric heaters but that’s not quite the case – their controllability also plays a large factor in how efficiently they operate.

Efficiency

Electric radiators are highly efficient and convert 100% of electricity into heat, unlike a gas-based system where heat can escape through a chimney. This ensures that less energy is required to run an electric radiator, saving you money on energy and running costs long term.

Installation

When it comes to installing electric radiators, no pipework, pipework extensions, or boiler is required, making them quick and easy to install and easy enough to be completed by yourself.

Reduced maintenance and reliability

With an electric heating system having very few moving parts, there’s very little that can wear out or break, making an electric radiator highly reliable and maintainable.

Futureproof

Another benefit of electric radiators is their suitability for present and future use. These radiators do not burn any internal fuels, and there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur with a gas-based heating system.

Effective Warmth

A key benefit of electric radiators is the warmth they produce. Once switched on, they heat the surrounding air, providing a quick solution to get the desired room temperature. Warmth produced by electric radiators can also be radiant heat which is absorbed by surfaces in your room. These maintain their heat even after the radiator is switched off.

Remote Control

Electric radiators are the future of sustainable heating and, as daily appliances become smart, so do radiators. Modern electric radiators can be controlled by your phone and voice assistants to change the temperature, set a heating schedule to suit your lifestyle, check temperatures and switch off heaters.

Electric Radiators by Rio Heating

If you’re looking to change your existing heating system and use electric radiators, browse our range of smart heating today. Our Rio Arc and Rio Eco are designed to provide effective and sufficient heating solutions and both can be controlled over WiFi, giving you the freedom to control the temperature of your home.

No fuel or gases

Firstly, electric radiators do not use any gases, and this means no boiler is required. No fuel needs to be ignited and that reduces the risk of hazardous toxins leaking into your home preventing potential exposure to carbon monoxide, which can cause many health problems.

Improved controls

Electrical smart radiators can be controlled from your mobile device and even by your voice assistant, this allows for easy access to control and schedule your heating.

Electrical safety

Electric radiators must be CSA and CE marked and this confirms that they have passed a range of safety tests to make them suitable for sale within the EU. This reduces the risk of them causing electrical fires or causing damage to your home. An electrical radiator without these accreditations may pose a threat to your home.

Avoid extension leads

Electric radiators can use a lot of energy to heat a room and regulate temperature. Using an extension lead and an electric radiator for a long period of time may cause overheating and a potential fire risk, it’s recommended to using a wall socket to avoid any risks.

Keep out the way of pets

Household pets love a warm and cosy environment and may sit either on or below the electric radiator. This can pose a threat and could potentially burn your pet. We advise positioning the heater where your pet can’t sit directly on it to help reduce the risk of any harm.

Heating purposes only

Electric radiators differentiate from traditional radiators and are not designed for dry washing. Exposing an electrical radiator to wet clothing or items could potentially break the radiator or allow water to get in which can cause an electrical hazard.

Position carefully in bedrooms

Although electrical radiators can work safely for long periods of time, it is advised to not leave them on overnight. Electric heating devices could be a fire risk if in close contact to curtains, bedding and rugs for an extensive period of time.

How efficient are electric radiators?

Electric radiators are nearly 100% efficient , converting almost all of the energy into heat. Despite being highly efficient, electricity is expensive, costing on average 14.4p/kWh across the UK, with this price varying depending on your tariff and location.

How does an electric radiator work?

How do electric radiators work? Electric radiators contain a thermodynamic fluid that heats up and expands as electricity is sent through the system. The fluid gives off heat as it expands, which is when heat is felt on the surface of the radiator that then warms the air in the room.

What is an electric storage heater?

Storage heaters have been the electric heating system of choice for many homes as they store heat overnight when some energy suppliers offer reduced rates. They work by storing energy generated during the night for use the following day or as and when needed. This heat is then released during the day but, without a thermostat or timer, the home might not be heated at the most suitable times.

What are electric boilers?

Electric boilers heat water for central heating and domestic hot water but don't burn a fuel, such as gas or oil. Not having to burn a fuel to generate energy gives electric boilers several advantages:

What is an electric towel radiator?

Electric towel radiators. Most electric radiators resemble conventional radiators in terms of their look and style but electric towel radiators are also available for bathroom installation. These are often vertical electric radiators that have bars for towels to be hung on.

What is a plug in radiator?

Plug in electric radiators. Plug in electric radiators are powered by electricity straight from the mains via a plug socket. While they need a plug socket, they are still wall mounted, unlike portable electric heaters that can be moved and stand anywhere.

Do electric radiators have thermostats?

Many electric radiators have their own thermostat which will really help when it comes to keeping the running costs down. Individual thermostats for each radiator around the home gives you the power to only heat up certain rooms, much like Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) on traditional radiators.

Why put an electric radiator in the bathroom?

Not only are electric radiators safe to install in the bathroom, they are actually ideal for bathroom use because of their functionality.

What is a radiator body?

The body of the radiator is just like a central heating radiator. This means that they have high quality powder coated finishes to minimise the risk of rust or corrosion.

What happens to electricity when it is drawn from a wall?

The electricity drawn from the wall is then transferred to the heating element which converts the electricity into heat energy – apologies for any dreary flashbacks to GCSE physics, stick with us!

Can you install an electric radiator yourself?

No, installing an electric radiator is not a job you should try and get done yourself unless you are a qualified installer. Electric radiators should always be installed by a qualified installer in accordance with the applicable regulations regarding safety and all other regulations.

Is an electric radiator waterproof?

The short answer is yes , electric radiators are waterproof. Of course they would have to be in some way otherwise you would not be allowed to install them in your bathroom no matter how much you wanted to. But when we say electric radiators are waterproof, it’s not actually the radiator itself we are talking about.

Does an electric towel rail have an IP rating?

Whether you are looking for an electric radiator, electric towel rail, an outdoor light, a bathroom light, you name it, if it’s an electric appliance it will most likely have an IP rating. Even some smartphones have an IP rating these days!

Can you use an electric radiator and a bathroom in the same sentence?

But since we are pre-programmed to feel instantly wary of the electricity/water combination, as we should be, it may seem a little unsafe to use the word electric radiator and bathroom in the same sentence never mind install one in the wettest room in the house.

Efficiency

Installation

Reduced Maintenance and Reliability

Futureproof

• Another benefit of electric radiators is their suitability for present and future use. These radiators do not burn any internal fuels, and there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur with a gas-based heating system. Electric radiators and heating reduce your household carbon emissions and are the one form of energy that doesn’t po...

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Effective Warmth

Remote Control

Electric Radiators by Rio Heating