How to Select the Best Electric Heating System for your Home How to Select the Best Electric Heating System for your Home For today’s eco-conscious consumer, protecting the planet from greenhouse gas emissions and pollution are definitely top of the agenda. In terms of how we as individuals can make a difference, a good place to start is by moving away from burning fossil fuels and making the switch to clean energy. Given the contribution of renewable energy sources to the national grid, if you’re looking to update your gas central heating, then the environmentally friendly choice would definitely be to install an electric heating system. But when it comes to the best electric heating system for your home, what options are available to you, and how can you ensure your monthly bills are kept to a minimum? There’s No ‘One Size Fits All’ As opposed to a traditional gas central heating system, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to electric heating systems. Electric heating has come a long way from the inefficient and cumbersome night storage heaters of the 70’s. There’s now a wide range of heating options available. These include: Electric Boilers If you want to go electric but don’t want to get rid of your old radiators and pipework, then an electric boiler might be the right choice for you. However, while electric boilers are far quieter than their gas counterparts, they can prove expensive to run and don’t have the capacity to heat larger properties. Electric Radiators This tends to be the most popular choice for homeowners and commercial landlords. It’s easy to see why, as they’re easy to install, super-efficient and provide flexible heating that works around you and your schedule. They provide convected and radiated heat, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can easily be pre-programmed to supply the heat when and where you exactly need it. They also run as individual units, so a power failure to one won’t affect the whole heating system. Last, but by no means least, electric radiators are far safer to run than a traditional gas central heating system, as there’s no need for carbon monoxide monitors. Portable Heaters There are a wide range of portable heaters available, including panel heaters, fan heaters and halogen heaters. While these heaters are great for short-term boosts of heat, they’re expensive to run and can be noisy, so complement rather than replace a central heating system. Towel Rails Heated towel rails aren’t just for keeping your towels dry! No, they’re also a great source of heat in small spaces, especially bathrooms and galley kitchens. Like radiators, they’re available in a huge variety of colours, shapes and sizes, so can really add to the aesthetics of a room, as well as provide an important function. Some even come with programmers, allowing you to schedule the heat to come on just when you need it. Infrared Heating Panels This type of heat is the closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re in the sun, and you’ll no doubt have experienced it under a portable halogen patio heater. However, as infrared panel heaters emit a direct beam of warmth, they’re not great for larger rooms and you’ll need to purchase a separate controller if you want to get anyway near the thermostatic and programmable controls of an electric radiator. Heat Pumps When it comes to electric heating systems, heat pumps are the new kid on the block. In terms of renewable energy, this type of heating is a great choice as it utilises heat from the air or ground around it, transferring it into – and out of – the property. Although the green choice, this system does have several drawbacks. As it’s less efficient, you’ll need to install larger radiators, some 15% larger than standard radiators. In addition, a ducted air-source system can take 3 days to install, and ground source pumps can take considerably longer. They also work in a similar way to air conditioning, and the forced air system can be noisy. Finally, they’re expensive to install, although some of the costs can be offset by the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive. Keeping Costs to a Minimum If you are considering going all-electric, it’s important to keep an eye on your energy tariff and – if necessary – switch between suppliers. Given that there are more than 60 energy suppliers in the UK, and a wide variety of tariffs on offer, it definitely pays to shop around. A good guide to the best fixed and standard rate tariffs can be found on the Which website and for the most up to the minute deals, you should consult Uswitch. If you’re looking to invest in all electric system then get in touch today on 01252 560770 and let us guide you to a greener, electric future.
