Category: Electric Heating

It’s often said that the world of technology never stops moving. And while we all know that’s true of things like phones and computers, it’s also true for electric heating products. There are always new innovations being made, and you could be forgiven for being a bit confused! But by the end of this short guide to electric heating, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Radiation and Convection

Let’s start with the simple part. An electric radiator radiates heat stored within a heat-retaining medium, usually thermal fluid or ceramic. Think of it like how the sun radiates warmth; if you step into the shade and therefore out of the direct radiation, you feel less warmth.

By contrast, an electric panel heater or "convection heater"; heat the air circulating within an enclosed area. (If you can smell the heat, you're likely experiencing convection heating. The smell exists because, just like a toaster, the panel heaters heating elements are exposed to the air, and so, burn the dust particles floating about in it.)

Just to Confuse You…

After having explained this difference to you, we’re going to confuse you a little. This is because an electric radiator and an electric heater both use a combination of radiated and convected heat. However, while an electric radiator has a thermal retention medium fitted (which is what stores the heat and redistributes it), an electric heater doesn’t.

But a lot of that might not matter to you. All you really want to know is which one you should buy. Well, it really depends on what you want to use it for.

Everyday Vs Occasional Use

The economic choice of electric radiator or electric panel heater for your room mostly comes down to deciding if the room is for everyday or occasional use.

Because electric radiators store heat, they are ideal for use as the primary source of heat in those rooms you use every day, or for long periods of time (e.g. a living room or bedroom). But electric panel heaters are ideal for those rooms that only get used occasionally (like a guest bedroom or conservatory), so don’t need continual heating.

In terms of upfront and running costs, electric radiators are cheaper to run but cost more to buy initially. Electric panel heaters are cheaper in the beginning, but cost more to run. This is because electric panel heaters don't store heat, and so continually draw upon the power supply whilst they heat the air. By contrast, electric radiators require power only whilst they are heating up the storage medium. You can see our comparison on pricing here. At Electric Heating Expert, we provide a wide range of electric radiators to suit any room, any size and any budget. For more information, just take a look at our range or get in touch with us today.

Well, that’s it. The Christmas decorations are back in the box and it’s time to look ahead to all things new. Whether that’s learning a new language, taking up a hobby or just taking some more time for yourself. But this year, the electric industry is also making some new year's changes, thanks to the introduction of some new EU regulations.  These came into play on January 1st and will mark the end of electric products with poor controllability. But what does this mean for you?

What Are the New Regulations?

The new legislation (catchily named ‘Lot 20) was designed to change the landscape of available products for manufacturers and consumers alike. It’s derived from the Ecodesign Directive, which was designed to create a framework of basic requirements to make them as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. Lot 20 takes this directive, enhances it and turns it into an official regulation that must be followed. The regulation covers a very large range of products, from something as small as a portable fan heater to something as large as an infrared panel. Its aim is to bridge the huge gap in efficiency between the smaller and larger items and level the playing field of product efficiency. This also means running costs will be reduced and lessens the burden on power stations to meet high demands.

But What Does This Mean For Electric Radiators and Heaters?

For the heating industry, this change means new design plans, new products and a lot of new buying and installations. All newly manufactured electric heating equipment must now meet a certain set energy efficiency percentage target in order to be sold within the EU. The percentage target will differ for each type of appliance - for example, electric radiators will be required to meet a target of 38%, while portable heaters will only need to hit 36%. But none of those percentages will dip below 30%, allowing all appliances to meet a base level of efficiency. So those low-end radiators with sub-standard controls will be phased out in favour of the new, improved ones.

How Will This Affect You?

As with most EU regulations, there is a slow burn approach to bringing it in. So while manufacturers needed to comply from the 1st of January, consumers may not see a change for quite a while. In most instances, these electric heaters will be almost identical to their older counterparts but with a just few minor improvements so that they meet their efficiency target. And you don’t need to worry if you bought an electric heating appliance before January 1st - most pew-2018 models are already borderline compliant thanks to their digital thermostats and weekly programmers. Newer models will be brought out, and gradually all older electric radiators will be replaced with newer, more energy-efficient models.

At Electric Heating Expert, we are proud suppliers of a wide variety of styles of electric radiator to consumers and businesses. That means that now, we will be including these higher efficiency models in our range, phasing out the older models over time. For more information, just browse our range of electric radiators, or get in touch with us today.

By now, every home in the UK will have their heating switched firmly on, which can only mean one thing – winter is well and truly here! And if you’re realising that your heating maybe isn’t keeping you as toasty as you’d like, maybe it’s time to look at a new solution for the new year. But how do you choose? There are so many options out there for heating your home now that it can be difficult to know which one will be best for you. That’s why we’ve brought together the pros and cons of the major heating solutions in one post – to make it easier for you to pick the right heating solution for your home.

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating was a really popular option a few years back, and in ultra-modern homes, it’s rare to find a bathroom without underfloor heating to keep your bare feet warm. And there are some distinct advantages to an underfloor heating system. For example. They are completely hidden, with no unsightly vents or radiators to mess up the look of your home. Asthma sufferers will find it easier to breathe, now that the heating isn’t moving air and dust around, and they run incredibly quietly. However, it does take much longer to warm up than other heating solutions, which means you will end up leaving it on longer and paying more. Retrofitting these systems is also expensive and impractical, so you really do have to have them installed from the get-go. So in general, unless you’re building the house from scratch, underfloor heating isn’t usually considered the most practical option.

Baseboard Heating

Baseboard heating are essentially very short radiators that only take up a small space right at floor level in the skirting boards. And they sit there for a reason – because as cool air is displaced and falls, it enters the baseboard heater to be re-warmed and re-dispersed. The positives of this system are that it is easy to zone your house using it, supplying heat exactly where you need it and making it easy to keep a family guided by different internal temperatures comfortable. It’s also simple to install (since it doesn’t require ductwork) and works quietly. However, it is incredibly expensive to run and quite bulky as well. They are also prone to producing inconsistent heat and require regular safety checks to make sure they don’t pose a fire risk.

Fan Heating

Fan heating works much in the same way as a fan heated ovens do – fans pass air over an electric heating element and distribute it into the room. They are useful in the sense that you don’t have to power them with electricity – you could also use gas, kerosene, hot water or another form of energy. They are also quick to heat up and can provide intense heat for a room. However, they are fairly energy intensive (and therefore expensive) and very noisy to run, which has made them fall out of popularity somewhat.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are one of the less common heating methods used in this country. Air-to-air heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb heat from one space and transfer it to another via a heat exchanger (often a fin or coil). The electricity supply to a heat pump is only used to move the heat around, not to generate it – the heating itself has a passive energy source. They are a very clean, efficient heating source, can provide both heating and cooling and heat up fairly quickly. However, they require regular maintenance, are more expensive to buy, fairly noisy and can struggle to heat spaces effectively at temperatures lower than 6 or 7 degrees.

Electric Radiators

And of course, we have electric radiators. The ‘new kid on the block’, electric radiators are having their moment in the sun at the moment. As energy prices (and particularly gas prices) continue to climb higher, people are looking for more efficient ways to heat their homes in the winter months. Electric radiators work by using electricity to generate heat energy and disperse it into the room. They are quick to heat up, so you don’t need to leave them on to warm up, and they use significantly less energy than traditional radiator heating or in fact any of the options we’ve discussed here. They are slim and unobtrusive, so they don’t create ugly space in your home, are very clean to run and are much better at keeping the room temperature even at all times, even if you open a window or have a draft. And the best part is they are eco-friendly and much cheaper to run than standard central heating!

Is it any wonder then, that electric heating is the most popular choice for 2018? While all heating methods have their positives and negatives, electric radiators are known best for their efficiency, low running cost and high performance. At Electric Heating Expert, we have a huge range of electric heating solutions to suit any home. Whether you want a slimline, modern model or a classic radiator chassis, we have an electric heating system that will suit your style and budget. To find out more, just browse our range, or get in touch with us today.

Energy efficient electric radiators are quickly becoming the more popular way to heat our homes. This is mainly thanks to their environmentally friendly, energy-saving ways -  but are owners making the most of their new heating gadgets? After all, electric radiators do more than just heat your home. They also help you manage how your home is heated, giving a level of control previously unseen in heating. Used in the right way, they can really help you cut down your energy bills. So what could you be doing to save money with your new electric radiators?

Programme Them Properly

The key to getting the most out of your electric radiator is all in the programming. Once you’ve installed your radiator and hooked it up to some power, you will need to tell it how warm you want the room and when. This might seem a bit complicated at first, but all of our radiators come equipped with a set of instructions on how to programme your radiator quickly and easily. Depending on the model you’ve chosen, there might be a digital display on the radiator or a separate main control panel you can use to control it. When programming your radiator, think about your schedule and habits. For example, there isn’t much point running your radiators throughout the day if you aren’t in the house between 8 and 7, but you may way to have them turn on 10 minutes before you get home in the evening, so it’s nice and cosy for you. You should also consider how much time you tend to spend in which rooms. One of the big advantages of electric radiators is that you can heat each room individually. So if you tend to spend 2 hours watching TV in the evening before you go to bed, you don’t really need to have the heating on in the spare room. By micromanaging your home heating in this way, you can save a significant amount on your energy bills.

Mount Your Radiators

Electric radiators can be used either free-standing (leaning against a wall), or they can be easily mounted on the wall. While the mounting might add a little bit more to your overall installation costs, the long-term energy savings are worth it. Electric radiators work best when they’re used in a constant and balanced way, and mounting them on the wall will change the way you interact with and use them on a daily basis. By making it a feature of the room, you are less likely to move them about (which will, in turn, make them less effective at heating your space, as they will need to keep adjusting to new spaces), allowing them to work at full efficiency. And it really is easy. Anyone who can put up a shelf can wall mount one of our radiators in less than 10 minutes, using only a drill and pencil.

Let Them Work For You

There is a great temptation with all technology to sit and fiddle with it, to try and get it just right. But electric radiators are sophisticated bits of kit, and they are very good at their 1 job. So let them get on with it! Your electric radiators will detect the temperature of the room for you and adjust itself to maintain your desired temperature, and they will do it consistently, without any reminder from you. If you feel a sudden chill, don’t rush to the radiator to crank up the temperature and expect the room to heat up quicker, like you would a central heating system. If you decide you’d like the room a few degrees warmer, just tell the radiator and within a few minutes, you’ll feel the effect evenly throughout the room.

If you own an electric radiator or two, then you’ve already made the conscious choice to save energy and move towards an efficient heating system. However, there is always more potential for saving energy (and therefore your hard earned money), if you just take it. You hold the power to maximise your energy efficiency, all you have to do is take control. For more energy saving tips, or to talk to us about installing your new electric radiators, just get in touch today.

Ahhh! Electric Underfloor Heating

It’s a bit of a hot topic at the moment, and it’s still one of the more popular heating options for modern homes. This is mainly because it’s completely invisible once it’s installed, giving you more options for decorating and cleaning your home. But despite its popularity, it might not be the magical heating solutions you’ve been looking for. This winter as the chill starts to set in, we wanted to share with you some of the pros, and the cons of electric underfloor heating. 

Pro’s

• • Space Saving –

    The main advantage of electric underfloor heating is that it is very slimline and space saving. That’s compared to both standard radiators and standard underfloor heating. The electric mesh lies under flooring completely flat, unlike traditional piped underfloor heating. This means that floors don’t need to be sunk or raised to accommodate bulky pipes, saving a huge amount of space.

• • Even-Heat –

    As the heating elements are distributed underneath the entirety of your floor, you will get a much more even heat in the room. So not only will it keep your feet warm in the winter, but it will ensure there are no cold or super hot spots in your rooms.

Unfortunately, that’s largely where the positives end for electric underfloor heating. While it is great for bathrooms if you’re prone to cold feet, the negatives tend to outweigh the positives.

Con’s

• • Long Heat Up Time –

    Unlike piped heating or electric radiators, electric underfloor heating takes a long time to heat up fully. This means that you either need to turn on your heating hours before you need it or leave it on permanently through the colder months, both of which mean higher bills.

• • Need More Insulation –

    In order for you to have electric underfloor heating installed, you will need to invest in a good base. You can’t just put it down on top of a concrete slab. Underfloor heating mats have to be installed on top of a highly insulated base. If they aren’t, they won’t provide you with much heat at all in colder weather – particularly if it’s your primary heating method.

• • Complex Installation –

    The installation of electric underfloor heating is not a simple thing. Not only do they need to be placed on properly insulated bases (see above), but they also come with a series of controls and mats, which make installation itself time-consuming, complicated, expensive and very disruptive.

• • Prone To Faults –

    As with many electronic meshes, electric underfloor heating is incredibly prone to faults, especially if they aren’t correctly installed. And because the mesh mats are laid under your flooring, when one goes wrong it isn’t an easy job to take it up and replace one. In fact, since many are installed underneath concrete screed or wood flooring, it is often impossible to replace defective panels.

In case you hadn’t noticed by now, while it is electric, we are not the biggest fans of electric underfloor heating. While it is nice to have toasty feet (no-one’s denying that), the advantages of electric underfloor heating just aren’t big enough to justify it. Instead, if you’re looking for an alternative to traditional heating that is energy efficient and clean, you are better off opting for electric radiators.

At Electric Heating Expert, we love everything about electric radiators and electric heating. Whether you’re replacing some old storage heaters or looking for an affordable alternative to gas, electric heating is an investment worth making. We pride ourselves on providing tailored advice that will help you make the best choice for you. For more information about electric radiators, or to find out if they would work for you, get in touch with us today.