Expert Advice on How to Buy the Best Electric Heater Expert Advice on How to Buy the Best Electric Heater If your heating system just isn’t up to scratch and you’re sat reading this wrapped in blankets, then it’s definitely time to think about investing in an electric heater. At one time seen as an expensive option, today’s electric heaters are incredibly energy efficient, and many come with a range of features such as WiFi connectivity, allowing you to control your heating from wherever you are. Not only are electric heaters now incredibly cost-effective, but given what we know about fossil fuels, it’s definitely time to throw away the firelighters, move away from propane gas heaters and look for a cleaner way to power our lives. Given this move to green, renewable energy, electricity is becoming the way forward, particularly when it comes to heating our homes. If you’re thinking of investing in an electric heater, then a Google search will uncover a vast array of choices, so it can be difficult to know what to choose. We receive so many queries from customers, so we’ve compiled answers to the top queries, to help guide you to the right decision. How Efficient is an Electric Heater? When it comes to replacing your heating system, then there’s no doubt that electric radiators are the most energy-efficient and cost-effective type of electrical heating. However, if you need to boost the heat provided by a central heating system, then electric heaters are also an incredibly energy-efficient option. Indeed, given that many electric heaters convert power immediately into heat, electric heaters are considered to be nearly 100% efficient, meaning you are getting heat at the rate you’re using energy. What are the Benefits of Electric Heaters? Here are some of the benefits of electric heaters: 1. They’re cheap to run Running costs for portable electric heaters can be incredibly low. If you’re worried that you’ll be using the heater for the same amount of hours as a traditional boiler then don’t. They work really quickly, so your energy use will be limited. 2. Given how fast heaters work, this efficiency means you won’t have to wait long to feel the benefits of the boosted heat. 3. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes In contrast to traditional radiators, electric heaters come in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes. This means you can select the heater according to not only to your budget but also how powerful you need the heater to be, as well as the type and frequency of heat required. 4. They provide flexible heating Electric heaters can be switched on in the room where you need heat the most, meaning energy isn’t wasted heating empty spaces. In fact, in many cases, it’s cheaper to purchase an electric heater to top up heat rather than simply turn up the boiler thermostat. What Kind of Electric Heater do I Need? These are the main types of electric heater, which one you choose will depend on how much you have to spend, the size of the room to be heated and how often you need the heat. You’ll also need to consider whether you want the heater to be wall-mounted or free-standing. 1. Convection heaters These can be wall-mounted or portable and are incredibly useful in areas that only require occasional heat. They produce heat via convection alone, warming the air around them. 2. Fan heater Fan heaters use an electric coil to produce heat; a fan then passes air over the heated coils, and the warm air is blown out across a room. 3. Oil-filled heaters These tend to be cheaper to run. 4. Night storage heaters Popular in the 70s, these wall-mounted heaters use a ceramic core to store heat at night, when energy is off-peak and cheaper. The stored heat is then slowly released during the day. This type of heater is no longer popular as it’s inflexible, unprogrammable and it’s cumbersome appearance means it definitely lacks aesthetic appeal. 5. Towel rails OK, these might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of electric heaters, but electric towel rails are incredibly useful for warming small bathrooms and kitchens. What are the Important Features to Look Out for? Electric heaters are really easy to set up, and only require a normal plug socket to work. You literally take them out of the box, plug them in and they are ready to go. Make sure you read the instruction manual, as many electric heaters come with added extras. Here are a few features to look out for: 1. Timer switch Being able to control when the heater comes on can be hugely useful. You can set the heater to come on just before you wake up, or just before you get home from work, meaning you have the heat exactly when you want it. 2. Frost protection If you’re using an electric heater to combat frost and dampness in an area such as a garage, conservatory or basement, then look for models that come with frost protection. 3. Climate control This feature is useful as it ensures the electric heater maintains a constant climate. Just set the temperature and the heater will come on and off as required; you’ll use less electricity this way as the heater will use less power maintaining a warm temperature than coming on regularly at a high setting. One important point to note here is that while electric heaters will consume less energy at low settings, this isn’t necessarily the best way to control your energy bills, as you need to think about the right heat setting to maintain the warmth you need. 4. WiFi enabled Smart heaters use WiFi connectivity. This has got to be the ultimate in sophistication and these heaters also come with some great power-saving features. 5. Cold air setting How much is an Electric Heater? This will very much depend on the type of heater you choose, and where you buy it from. Lower-end fan heaters typically cost under £10, while smart heaters can be over £300. Once you’ve selected the model for you, it’s a good idea to do a price comparison. However, make sure you go with a retailer that has a good reputation and provides the best warranty terms. We hope that’s helped you understand the many choices out there. As you can see, given the superior functionality of electric heaters, in particular smart heaters, electric heat can definitely be more efficient than heat from gas. If you’re thinking of investing in an electric heater, or making the switch from gas to a complete electric heating system, then our experts at Electric Heating Expert are on hand to provide helpful, friendly advice. Contact us on 01252 560770 or email enquiries@electricheatingexpert.co.uk and let us guide you to the best electric heating solutions for your home or commercial property