Electric radiators

IN THIS GUIDE

How electric radiators work

An electric radiator turns electricity directly into heat inside the unit — no boiler, no pipework. Most modern ones pair a heating element with a thermal material (dry stone/ceramic or oil) and a digital thermostat, so they warm quickly then cycle to hold a set temperature room by room. They’re 100% efficient at the point of use — all the electricity becomes heat — so the cost question is about the price of electricity, not the radiator.

The main types

‘Electric radiator’ covers a few styles: oil-filled (gentle, lingering heat), dry thermal / ceramic (fast, precise, slim), convector/panel (cheapest, quick but less even) and storage heaters (charge on cheap night rates). For most rooms today, a dry-thermal or oil-filled model with a good thermostat is the sweet spot.

Running costs — the honest bit

Electricity costs roughly 3–4× more per kWh than gas, so an electric radiator costs more to run than a gas-fed one for the same heat. The saving comes from only heating the rooms you use, when you use them — with timers and per-room thermostats — and from not firing up central heating for one cold room. Check yours with the running-cost calculator.

Where they make sense

Electric radiators shine in extensions, loft conversions, garden rooms, single cold rooms and homes off the gas grid — anywhere running a new heating pipe would be costly or disruptive. They’re also popular in flats and for zoned heating where only part of the home is used in the day.

Installing them

Two options: plug-in (just a socket — instant, movable, no electrician) or hard-wired to a fused spur for a permanent, tidy fit. Wall-mounting takes minutes; there’s no bleeding, balancing or plumbing. Bathrooms need the right IP rating and an electrician.

Choosing & sizing

Size on wattage to room: as a rough guide allow about 100W per m² for a well-insulated room, more for older or draughty spaces. Look for an accurate digital thermostat, an open-window sensor and a weekly timer. Get the exact output from the BTU calculator.