- The advantages electric designer radiators offer as stylish, contemporary heating solutions
- Energy efficiency levels of properly programmed electric radiators
- Details on simple installation practices, without the requirement for pipes or the draining of heating systems
- An overview of BestHeag’s stylish electric radiator range with designs to suit any decor
- Smart control functionality and Bluetooth connectivity for quick and convenient alterations
- A comparison of electric radiator running costs versus other heating solutions
- Consideration of factors such as home insulation and energy rates when assessing costs
Why make the switch to electric heating?
What’s the point of an electric designer radiator? Is gas heating more expensive than electric? Why can I not make a decision!!!??!?!!
These are just a few of the questions I get asked on a regular basis. The truth is, there are several reasons why you should make the switch to modern electric heating.
From energy saving potential to stylish design options, the benefits of electric home heating have never been on this level of high quality form and function.
So I thought I would shed some light on the answers to help you to be better informed. Plus, give you the goods to make the right choice (for you) regarding energy efficient electric radiators.
Electric radiators vs gas heating
First up, let’s take a look at the comparisons between electric radiators and gas central heating.
Gas or electric, which is cheaper?
There’s quite a straightforward answer to the “is gas cheaper than electric?” question…
Yes, it is!
Because electricity (per kWh) is around 3-4 times more expensive than gas.
To buy a single unit of gas – measured in kWh – you’ll pay around 4p with most providers. For the mains electric equivalent – also measured in kWh – the cost will rise to around 20p / kWh (according to the Energy Saving Trust).
But don’t let that fact confuse you into thinking that it’s all cut and dried.
Electric heating costs
There are a few other considerations that make the comparison much less black and white as you decide on your best investment on modern home heating solutions.
Of course gas is cheaper on paper. But with an electric radiator you can heat individual rooms without having to turn your central heating on.
This could save you quite a bit in fuel costs as it allows you to isolate exactly where you want the heat to be. Is there really any need for you to heat your entire home if you just intend to snuggle in front of the telly-box all evening?
Electric heating running costs also depend on the time of day the energy is used and on which electrical tariff. For example, an off-peak period is when the average cost for 1kWh of electricity is less than 10p. So utilising the Smart electric heating scheduling is a great way to lower the overall running costs.
How efficient are gas & electric radiators?
Though considerably cheaper than the electric alternative, gas boilers (shock horror) are not actually 100% efficient. Even a brand spanking new and improved central heating boiler will only be around 90% efficient.
Compare that to an electric designer radiator that turns 1 kWh of electricity into 1 BTU (the standard measurement of heat). It’s clear that direct comparisons between gas and electric can become quite complex. Particularly as it relates to electric heating costs.
So a lot may depend upon the age of your central heating system. The older it is, the less efficient it’s likely to be (not too dissimilar to what my lady wife says about me).
That said, what about if you can’t even access the mains gas grid?
What if you can’t get mains gas?
Following the 2011 census, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) reported that 4 million UK households did not have access to a mains gas supply.
That basically means that there are 4 million homes that HAVE to use an alternative heat source such as LPG, biomass or electric heating, or run the risk of freezing solid.
Easy electric installation
Luckily, although the fuel costs of electric heating may be more expensive than gas, an electric designer radiator doesn’t require pipework to fill it with water.
And since an electric radiator will convert all of the electricity it uses into heat, even if you aren’t on the gas grid you can benefit from the warmth and style that an electric designer radiator will bring.
This makes them perfect for adding to a space that your central heating doesn’t quite reach. For example a conservatory, Wendy house or some other kind of extension. And it could save you a small fortune by allowing you to heat your home without having to pay to get on the gas grid.
Cost of getting on the grid
The cost of getting on the grid can vary greatly depending upon where you live and the type of property you have.
From rural dwellings to high-rise flats, the costs can range from a few hundred pounds to well into the thousands. And gas pressure (or the lack of it) can be a big issue for high-rise homes too.
That’s where electric designer radiators can help.
Benefits of electric designer radiators
100% energy efficient
Electric designer radiators convert all the electricity they use into heat, making them 100% energy efficient. Therefore, no heat energy is wasted firing up the boiler or through the pipework like gas central heating systems. This means you can be sure that every penny you spend on heating your electric radiators is getting the job done.
Zero carbon dioxide output
Since electric heating does not require the use of fossil fuels like gas, it does not release any carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Making it a far more environmentally friendly and sustainable way to heat our homes. Electric also eliminates the risk of dangerous carbon monoxide leaks that can occur in old and badly maintained gas central heating systems.
Decorative electric designs
Electric designer radiators have become modern home heating solutions for the stylistic and decorative appeal in both contemporary and classic interiors. Our extensive electric heating range offers everything from space-saving slimline designs with minimal flat panels to vintage-style columns to suit your space.
No maintenance required
Unlike plumbed hot water radiators, electric radiators do not need to be maintained to continue to perform effectively. Since electric radiators are not filled with water and don’t have valves, they do not require bleeding or balancing. Making your life easier when preparing for the cold winter months.
Customisable heating
Electric radiators and towel rails are designed to give you maximum control over your heating. With multiple settings, you can easily set and adjust your heating schedule manually or with your Smart device. Therefore, you only heat each room when you need. Our Wi-Fi controlled electric radiators are even Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatible!
High precision heating control
Our excellent quality ceramic core electric heaters boast high precision heating control with a digital thermostat accurate to ±0.5 °C. This means that you can save more energy because the radiators don’t have to work as hard when the temperature fluctuates.
For example, when the room temperature reaches the set level, the high temperature power stops and the low temperature power remains active.
Then, when room temperature is 2 degrees over the set temperature, both the high and lower temperature powers will stop operating. The machine will begin operating again only when temperature decreases 2 degrees with respect to the set temperature.
Choice of electric heating types
There are plenty of electric radiator options to suit your home heating preference. Many of our popular electric designer radiators are pre-filled with glycol. This helps to prevent noise, rust and limescale, giving you a high-performing electric radiator. We also offer ceramic core, dry heat and infrared electric heaters all with their own unique style and benefits.
Quicker to heat up
The average UK home heated by gas will take around an hour to get up to temperature. That’s not the case for electric radiators. Electric heaters are designed to preserve as much energy as possible by distributing their warmth gradually. This means that they are very quick to heat up and slow to cool down. So you can use less energy and still enjoy a cosy warm room for longer.
Future-proof heating
Did you know in 2025, new build properties will not be allowed to have gas boilers by law? Plus, at some point in the future, even old homes will be required to switch to sustainable heating. This is in order to meet the Net Zero carbon emissions target by 2050. Therefore, if you start buying electric radiators today, you can future-proof your home for tomorrow.
Installing electric radiators
The truth is it’s a lot easier for you to add new electric radiators to your home than plumbed radiators. This is because gas central heating requires pipework and a plumber to install it. All of which will add to the cost of your purchase. Plus, the work can be quite disruptive to your everyday life. With an electric radiator there are no pipes to install. This means you won’t have to rip up any floorboards or drain down your central heating system during installation.
Plus, despite needing an electrician to do the job, a good ‘sparky’ will have it finished in a couple of hours or even less. So you more time to get on with living and enjoying your new electric designer radiator! Essentially, installing electric radiators is a walk in the park for a qualified electrician or heating engineer.
Not only that, electric designer radiators at BestHeating even give you the option of connecting your radiator to the mains electricity. Or choosing a plug-in design. This means you can ask your electrician to hardwire the radiator. Or simply plug-in and hang the radiator yourself and save the installation costs!
Get totally connected with your electric designer radiator
Each of the designer electric radiators in the BestHeating range now come supplied with a Terma heating element. This can be controlled via a smart device like a mobile phone or tablet, or perhaps even your personal computer.
Connect and communicate directly with the Terma Moa Blue heating element through the Terma BlueLine heating app on your mobile phone, and take complete control over the heat output of your new electric radiator.
Simple Smart settings
The Terma Moa Blue heating element features a range of settings from a dryer function, timer programme and boost function. Plus a range of different temperature settings and adjustments. So it works seamlessly with your SMART device to allow you to control your radiator with ease.
There are unlimited settings that allow you to adjust outputs and set up a different heating schedule for every day of the year if you really want to and can find the time.
Getting connected to your home’s heating has never been easier than it is today. So as long as you know how to turn on a mobile phone’s Bluetooth settings, you can play about with your electric designer radiator, pretty much as much as you like.
So why buy an electric designer radiator?
As we have said many times before, radiators have become much more than just the metal box under the window. They can make a design statement, be a conversation starter and become an additional piece of decoration that can transform the look and feel of a space.
And not only that, but when you factor in the time it might take to install all of the required pipework to get you on the gas grid, or to add an extra radiator to your gas heating system, it is pretty much a no brainer – electric is the way forward.
Choose your stylish new electric heater
With hundreds of different types of electric designer radiator to choose from, our collection boasts an impressive array of electric heating solutions. Therefore, whatever space you are looking to add heat and style to, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for. There’s all sorts of stunning decorative electric radiators to enhance the look of any space.
To discover more about the range of electric radiators in our store and find loads of hints and tips on designer home heating, come and check us out on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally speaking, electric heaters are thought to be more expensive to run than gas-powered heating solutions, given that electrical running costs per hour tend to be higher than gas. What’s more, off-peak electricity tariffs can also enhance energy bills depending on the electricity supplier.
That said, there’s a wide variety of factors that can influence electrical running costs, with the size and insulation of a room amongst them, as well as the number of electric radiators or alternate electric heating solutions present.
Plus, the location of the property housing the electric heating devices can also prove a differential, as well as the type of house.
Ultimately, all factors need to be considered on a case by case basis, and your budget taken into account, to determine whether or not electric heaters should be thought of as expensive to run.
The very most efficient forms of electrical heating systems come in the form of electric radiators and infrared panels.
This is due to the fact that both these types of electric heating make use of radiant heat to maintain room temperatures at a set level.
For a more detailed insight, explore our blog, What Are The Running Costs Of Electric Radiators?
BestHeating offer a number of electric radiators with a width of 200mm, representing the slimmest models of our collection.
One such example is the Milano Windsor White Traditional Vertical Electric Triple Column Radiator, with dimensions of 1800mm x 200mm.
No. There are a wide variety of electric radiators available in an immense choice of sizes, shapes and styles.
Our full Advice Centre blog, Should You Buy An Electric Radiator, offers a full insight into this particular type of heating device.
There is no strict rule, but you can get the utmost levels of energy efficiency out of electric radiators by programming them to alternate preferred temperatures.
For instance, you can set a temperature for when the room is in use (comfort temperature) and a different one for when it is unoccupied (economy temperature).
That way, your electric radiators won’t expend extra energy unnecessarily, helping to keep your heating costs as low as possible.
It is not advisable to leave electric radiators switched on overnight.
Electrical heating devices can pose a fire risk, especially when positioned nearby to curtains, quilts, rugs and other materials often found in bedroom areas.
If you have a wall mounted electric radiator, and insist on leaving it on overnight, make sure it is positioned comfortably away from the likes of these materials.
John Lawless is a home heating expert and Content Manager at BestHeating. With over a decade of experience, he shares practical insights on both traditional and modern heating technologies. A regular contributor to various home and garden magazines, John is dedicated to helping homeowners make informed heating choices with straightforward and reliable advice.
