Before reaching out to your wallet to buy any electric radiators in the UK, make sure to go through this piece for proper guidance. Here’s an article about electric radiators buying guide.
It is a fact that not all houses have any access to mains gases. Plenty of homes have to find other ways to keep them warm. Reasons could be that they are either in isolated parts of the country or are out on a limb. There are many options and solutions to this problem but you just have to be wise while making a decision.
There are just too many brands, companies, and manufacturers in the industry that it may get confusing and overwhelming to even begin to search. Some options like LPG and Oil Boilers are great but they can leave you hanging waiting on your supplier. So what is the next best option? Electric radiators.
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Electric Radiators Explained
If you are looking for ways to keep warm in your house then you might want to purchase these. They deliver heat using a radiation mechanism, just like the name suggests. This means that the heat gets released once electricity is passed through the system.
They are highly similar to conventional radiators, only that electric radiators use electricity to release heat and warm up a room while the latter uses water to produce heat.
How they Work
Electric radiators work more like electric kettles. The elements in the systems are heated up and the heat gets transferred into your room. Because of the way they are built, they entirely use the electricity watts to ensure maximum energy use, as well as efficiently saving energy.
You also need to know that you have complete control over electric heaters. This is because you have to turn them on to heat the room and when you turn it off, it starts to cool down and there would be no longer any heat to be transferred into the room.
The Different Types of Electric Radiators
The differences in electric heaters are brought about by some technical characteristics, features, and distribution of heat. Here are some of the most common types;
Oil-Based Electric Radiators
With oil-based heaters, the inside space is filled with mineral oil. The elements then heat the oil, passing the heat to the cover and around the area, it is in. Some of the best characteristics of oil-based radiators are their fire safety, are noise-free, and have easy mobility.
However, one of the disadvantages of these radiators is that the cover of the systems gets heat up too much and this may lead to uneven distribution of heat throughout the room.
Convection Radiators
Convection radiators use heated air to warm up the room. Cold air is passed through the bottom, through the heating elements. Once it gets heated, the air becomes lighter, rises to the top of the room. When the upper layer is cooled, it becomes heavy, falls, and the cycle continues.
Some of the best characteristics of this system in that it doesn’t burn oxygen, it’s not moisture susceptible, and you don’t have to worry about dry air. They are safe and easy to put together.
Infrared Radiators
Unlike other radiators that need to be heated up to transfer the heat across the room, infrared radiators use electromagnetic waves to heat the room while the radiator stays cold, and uses certain frequencies.
Fan Heaters
These come in with two parts; the fan and the heater. The fan is to ensure that there is a constant airflow throughout the heating elements. These then heat the air which then transfers heat throughout the room. Once the fan reaches a certain temperature, the thermostat automatically switches it off.
Others come with a speed-controlling feature that prevents the fan from overheating during overuse. One of the greatest advantages of fan heaters is that they heat faster and rapidly, as well as maintaining constant temperatures even in large spaces.
How to Choose the Best One for Your Needs
While choosing electric radiators, here are some of the things to consider;
Fitting
When it comes to fitting, you can either choose free-standing electric radiators or wall-mounted. Wall-mounted radiators are great if you like more of a permanent solution. They are discreet and you can’t easily see any wires or cables. Having a certified professional to install it for you is quite the best option for installation. However, you can also do it yourself by following the guide booklet.
Free-standing, on the other hand, is great if you are looking to move it around. They come with a set of feet that click on the desired ground. But you also have to plug the cables into a socket for them to work. That is just about it; as long as you have a socket; just plug it in whatever room or area you need.
Heat Efficiency and Energy Saving
What is the point if you can’t get the amount of warmth you need in the room? The next thing to look for when it comes to choosing electric radiators is to ensure heat efficiency. Calculate the power of the radiator plus how it works, as well as energy-saving efficiency.
