Electric heating: a buyer’s guide
Electric heating can be a real problem-solver for homes without gas heating. If you’re investing in new electric heating solutions, here’s what you need to know.
Image: NEO3C Electric Stove, £1,299 ACR Stoves
If your home doesn’t have access to mains gas, then you’re likely to require an electric-based heating system. While gas is not available to all homes in the UK and gas central heating can be expensive to install, almost every home in the UK has an electricity supply.
Though electric heating is an efficient technology, it can be expensive to run. Here’s what you’ll need to consder when choosing a new radiator or stove.
Electric radiators
Image: Classic Electric Radiator, from £891.60, Bisque
Electric radiators are a modern replacement for the more traditional storage heater, which would use electricity at cheaper, off-peak times, usually during the night, and slowly release the heat into your home throughout the day. However, storage heaters were proven to be an inefficient form of heating.
From 1st January 2018, all electric heaters were required to have thermostats, 24-hour and seven-day programmable timers, temperature controls and fans, which means a modern electric heating system should be far more energy-efficient than past systems. However, be careful as older models, already manufactured, can still be sold, so make sure to check your radiator complies.
Read more: 5 ways to save money on your heating
Smart controls
Image: Reina Arlec Electric Aluminium Designer Radiator, £164.99, Only Radiators
There are many styles of electric radiators that you can choose from to suit your home and interior style. Keep things simple with a slimline design that features an LED screen, so you’re able to control the temperature and programme at the touch of a button.
Image: The Radiator Centre
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more traditional model then you can get column radiators that look like the real deal. Radiator brands such as Bisque and The Radiator Centre offer electric column radiators in lots of different colours and finishes. These radiators are fitted with a heating element which heats up the substance inside the radiator, warming up your home to the desired temperature.
Make sure you employ a qualified electrician to install your electric radiators.
Electric stoves
Image: The ilektro 2000 landscape, bay configuration, £2,609, Eurostove
Love the look of a wood-burning stove but don’t have the set up to install one? An electric stove creates a flame-effect, are super efficient in terms of heat output and are much less hassle.
The experts at Eurostove state that “for many homeowners, the lure of a focal point fire is key to creating a cosy, comfortable environment that you long to come home to after a long day. The solution is a stylish, eyecatching, highly efficient electric fire with high heat output, clean energy and easy installation.” Here are some of the benefits…
- They have no installation costs
- They are often cheaper
- Electric stoves are more efficient
- They are eco-friendly as they don’t produce any harmful fumes or smoke
- No need for a chimney or a hearth for installation
Image: NEO3C Electric Stove, £1,299, ACR Stoves
Consider the type of flame design you’d prefer, as well as the style of bedding for the flames. Electric stoves often come with remote controls allowing you to adjust the appearence of your flames depending on the ambience you want to create.
The NE03C stove pictured above even has an optional decorative flue pipe kit available to complete the look. Along with a black glass top and choice of two black glass hearths allowing you to make it look as authentic as possible.
Have you got electric heating in your home? Let us know! Tweet us @goodhomesmag or post a comment on our Facebook page.
