Electric radiators are usually known to be 100 % effective because almost 100% of the energy absorbed by the radiator is transformed into heat and emitted into the air. (This varies from piped hot water central heating systems where any heat can be lost through the piping on the path to the radiators and the boiler.) It may also be claimed that all electronic radiators are similar in output because the amount of heat generated through the radiator is equivalent to the amount of heat extracted. Click here if you’d like to learn more about the complex issues of a bad radiator.

This article seeks to provide you with straightforward knowledge and details to help you select an electrical heating system that better fits your particular lifestyle and heating needs. It would encourage you to eliminate the excess of energy and, in effect, would help reduce the amount of power you use and thus reduce the expense of your electricity bills and the impact you have on the atmosphere.

Whatever form of electrical heating you choose, we always suggest that you look at the tariffs of different energy providers to compare prices, since the cost of electricity can vary considerably; prices vary not only between suppliers but also between the wide range of tariffs offered by each supplier.

Here is a review of the electrical heating solutions available on the market, outlining their pros and cons to help you select which choice is better for your house.

Storage Radiators

We make use of the affordable energy accessible at night on the market tariff. Electricity is used to heat ceramic bricks within the furnace overnight, and then “houses” the electricity and removes it slowly during the next day. Storage heaters have traditionally been seen as the only real alternative to central gas heating and are still a common sight in homes across the UK.

This implies that storage heaters are powerful because they produce all the energy they need, but they need a lot of energy. Interestingly, storage heaters were originally developed during the protests of the late seventies, and there is a possibility that the government promoted their usage at this period because they wanted to keep power stations working and make the country dependent on the coal industry.

Storage heaters may offer a functional alternative for many homeowners; for example, because heat is emitted during the day, storage heaters are most ideal for individuals who are elderly or at home during the day. Instead, if you are employed full time and may not need heating throughout the day, storage heaters may not be the right choice, because the heat would be generated even though you are not home, resulting in needless energy wastage.

Storage heaters are often considered unattractive, and the existence of their size renders them very bulky in the house.

On call Radiators

In comparison to storage heaters, the following three types of electrical heating absorb energy on application. “On-call” heating devices allow you to turn the furnace on only when you need heat and switch it off when you do not need power. This allows them the perfect choice to prevent wasting electricity because you just have the radiators on and off because required, so there is no need to second-guess what the weather is going to do 24 hours in advance, which is especially useful in the volatile British environment. Standard, non-Economy energy tariffs, which do not utilize lower night-time prices, are usually used on-demand heaters.

This example demonstrates a substantial decrease in the amount of energy consumed by a person operating regular hours; when contrasting the storage heater to the on-demand heater, given the fact that electricity is priced at a higher rate than the Economy 7 tariff, this may also be the most cost-effective choice in this sort of situation.

As outlined below, heating products on-demand typically provide a better solution than storage heaters to the problem, which heater provides maximum efficiency.

Radiant heating panels are either hollow or, more generally, a sealed unit. An electrical part is concealed within the radiator, which heats up and radiates uniformly from the front of the radiator. The radiant heat is absorbed by the furniture, curtains, and carpets in the house so that the heat is retained longer. This style of a radiator is especially useful for those with dust allergies because its flat-panel allows it easier to clean and does not ‘convect’ heat or facilitate air ventilation to heat space; these factors tend to minimize the amount of dust circulated in the house.

Convection Radiators
Convectors, or heaters that utilize convection, heat the atmosphere due to the idea that hot air falls. Electrical connectors typically consist of a hollow case, open at the top and bottom with a clear coil heating part. Convection heating works by creating an air circulation cycle; cool air comes from below the radiator, is drawn from the bottom of the radiator, and then heats up and rises or ‘convects’ as the heating element passes, emitting warm air from the radiator. The warm air rises to the roof, cools, and falls back to the floor and then repeats the process. Electric ventilator heaters often work on the same principle; the only key difference is that the ventilator pushes air through the electrical part that speeds up the movement of hot air.

Liquid-filled electric radiators
They work in a similar manner to radiant panel type heaters; these are enclosed devices with an internal heating element that emits this heat through the outer case, but they are immersed in liquids such as oil, water with a corrosion inhibitor or heat transfer agent/gel rather than dry. Heat generated depending on the design of the heater is completely radiant or a mixture of radiant and convection power. Historically, oil was used to fill electrical radiators. However, water is increasingly common as it provides a safer option; for example, the National Trust uses water-filled electric radiators as they do not want to allow the use of oil that could cause damage to the historic property or its contents.