The world is forever shifting towards more renewable ways to function daily, from the demand for renewable energy sources to the increasing percentage of vehicle owners opting for battery electric cars.
In the home, switching to electric radiators is a fantastic way to use less gas or oil. This will help to slash your hydrocarbon usage and overall carbon footprint; a great step in the right direction!
However, there’s a myth that electric radiators aren’t as efficient or as good as traditional radiators when this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Learn more about electric radiators and why you should invest today!
How Do Electric Radiators Work?
To dispel the myth that electric radiators aren’t as effective as traditional radiators, we should understand how they work.
In traditional radiators, gas is used to heat water in your central boiler, which is then piped to your radiators to radiate heat into a room. Oil heaters work similarly; however, the components in the radiator heat oil inside the radiator (if it is a standalone radiator unit).
In electrical radiators, electrical current is passed through a special liquid that fills the interior of the radiator unit. The chemical reaction that occurs generates heat; this heat is then radiated.
The quantity of heat radiation is as, if not better, than traditional radiators.
There’s also a consumer myth that electric radiators are all standalone plug-in units which isn’t the case. There are wall-mounted electric radiators available that can hook directly into your home’s circuit. There are even vertical electric radiators that can heat rooms with huge ceilings!
What Are The Benefits Of Electric Radiators?
Electric radiators can offer any home or business owner a range of benefits. Aside from being incredibly efficient at generating heat, they can:
- Save you money on your utility bills if you own a renewable energy capture solution for your homes – such as solar panels or a wind turbine. This can save money by eliminating your need for gas or oil-fuelled central heating (especially during the current hydrocarbon cost crisis). It will also reduce your carbon footprint.
- They have a much higher efficiency threshold than traditional radiators for distributing heat; as a matter of fact, electric radiators have a 100% efficiency rate. This means every joule of electrical energy you use is converted to heat.
- No risks of carbon monoxide leaks
- Installation is relatively easy compared to traditional plumbed radiators.
- Provide far more control over temperature (with smart radiator technology also available)
What Are The Disadvantages Of Electric Radiators?
While there are very few disadvantages to upgrading your radiators and central heating system to a fully electric system, there are genuine reasons that switching may not be a good idea, which are:
- It leaves the ability to heat your home dependent on the national power grid. This means you’ll be unable to heat your home during a power cut.
- Electric radiators can take longer to heat up due to the type of technology used in the radiators. This means it will take longer to heat your home, from turning your heating on to having an adequately heated house.
- If you don’t own your own mini-grid for generating your electricity at your home (e.g. having solar panels installed), then electric heating can end up being more expensive than gas or oil. This is due to the fact that electrical heaters take longer to heat up.
What Electric Heating Options Are Available?
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the number of electrical heating solutions that are commercially available for homes. There’s just as much variation and choice for electrical heating options as for traditional heating options – which tends to surprise potential adopters of electrical heating.
Under-floor Heating Solutions
Under-floor heating is a more high-end, premium choice for homeowners to consider. This type of heating will help you free up wall space while keeping your toes warm on those particularly cold winter days.
However, as great as this option is, it is expensive and can only be installed in certain homes. For example, your flooring will need to be a suitable material, and most flats (that aren’t ground floor flats) will most likely be ineligible for this type of heating. It is better suited to standalone, detached, semi-detached, or bungalow-style homes.
Vertical Electric Radiators
A vertical electric radiator is ideal for those who want a wall-mounted option for tall spaces such as tenement flats or stairwells.
These radiators will disperse heat evenly across the full height of a room, regardless of how tall it may be.
Wall-Mounted Electric Radiators
There are plenty of wall-mounted options for spaces with normal ceilings that are ideal for home heating. These mounted radiators will usually plug into a plug socket or will have a new plug socket wired into the home’s circuit to accommodate them.
Conclusion
There’s much more to electrical heating than you may assume, and it is a valid option for many homes. Invest now!