Electric radiators
Discussion
Morning everyone. A flat I've looked at has no central heating (I believe it's because there's no gas supply to the block and looking at the photos there's no radiators to be seen in any rooms). So, I've been looking at electric radiators. Anyone got experience of them? A few sites I've looked at show actually really good, efficient and easy to fit radiators, can control via wifi if needed etc and not a bad price.
Interested to hear your thoughts.
Simon.
Interested to hear your thoughts.
Simon.
Simon Bags said:
Morning everyone. A flat I've looked at has no central heating (I believe it's because there's no gas supply to the block and looking at the photos there's no radiators to be seen in any rooms). So, I've been looking at electric radiators. Anyone got experience of them? A few sites I've looked at show actually really good, efficient and easy to fit radiators, can control via wifi if needed etc and not a bad price.
Interested to hear your thoughts.
Simon.
They are either rubbish or expensive to run,or more usually both.Interested to hear your thoughts.
Simon.
Look at air source heat pumps instead.
MattyD803 said:
Surely there is some heating, somewhere? Whether it be an all air system (i.e. warm air delivered via grilles in the wall or ceiling) or possibly underfloor heating? A property I rented many years ago (early 90's build) even had a heated ceiling?
You'd think so. The Estate Agent even mentioned on the written description that to note, no central heating. Maybe you're right and it comes through vents which I couldn't see on the photos. Doubtful to it having under floor heating. Electric direct heating will be cheapest to install initially, but prove expensive to run. As mentioned above, an Air Source Heat Pump installation would probably be the best way forward, especially if you can make use of the current government grant (£7.5k I believe)....but you will need an external condenser unit mounted somewhere, which could be difficult in a flat (if not not just a simple maisonette or converted house etc). Might be doing some digging into recent sales of flats in the same block to see what type of heating they have?
I own a flat in Swansea which has electric only heating, but it is done via 'Economy 7' heating, which is a bit old fashioned in the way it works by virtue of heating up some 'thermal bricks' over night when electricity is cheaper and releases the heat during the day. However, I don't think this is done thing anymore to be honest...?
I own a flat in Swansea which has electric only heating, but it is done via 'Economy 7' heating, which is a bit old fashioned in the way it works by virtue of heating up some 'thermal bricks' over night when electricity is cheaper and releases the heat during the day. However, I don't think this is done thing anymore to be honest...?
It's worth making enquiries with the managing agents of the block as to whether they'd support you having a gas supply.
I did this with the bkock I previously lived in in 2009. Managing agent was ok with it, I paid a stupidly low cost of about £350 to run the gas from the road, under the lawn and to the bottom of the building. You can see the copper pipe running up the centre of the block which went to my utility cupboard where the boiler was housed. The only flat in a block of 12 to have gas!
I'm sure these days the cost from the gas company would be a fair bit higher.
I then moved to another flat in the block (as i only needed a one bed at this point) so had to make use of the night storage heaters.
I did this with the bkock I previously lived in in 2009. Managing agent was ok with it, I paid a stupidly low cost of about £350 to run the gas from the road, under the lawn and to the bottom of the building. You can see the copper pipe running up the centre of the block which went to my utility cupboard where the boiler was housed. The only flat in a block of 12 to have gas!
I'm sure these days the cost from the gas company would be a fair bit higher.
I then moved to another flat in the block (as i only needed a one bed at this point) so had to make use of the night storage heaters.
TT86 said:
It's worth making enquiries with the managing agents of the block as to whether they'd support you having a gas supply.
I did this with the bkock I previously lived in in 2009. Managing agent was ok with it, I paid a stupidly low cost of about £350 to run the gas from the road, under the lawn and to the bottom of the building. You can see the copper pipe running up the centre of the block which went to my utility cupboard where the boiler was housed. The only flat in a block of 12 to have gas!
I'm sure these days the cost from the gas company would be a fair bit higher.
I then moved to another flat in the block (as i only needed a one bed at this point) so had to make use of the night storage heaters.
A good point.I did this with the bkock I previously lived in in 2009. Managing agent was ok with it, I paid a stupidly low cost of about £350 to run the gas from the road, under the lawn and to the bottom of the building. You can see the copper pipe running up the centre of the block which went to my utility cupboard where the boiler was housed. The only flat in a block of 12 to have gas!
I'm sure these days the cost from the gas company would be a fair bit higher.
I then moved to another flat in the block (as i only needed a one bed at this point) so had to make use of the night storage heaters.
Just doing some rather poor maths based on google and radiator companies. If I wanted electric central heating, google reckons on about £5k. Not sure if this involves everything, radiators, pipework, labour etc.
The electric radiators I've found cost about £350 each, and I'll need 4 so £1400. These also state that annual running cost for a flat is about £120 per month but obviously that won't be every month as they won't be on in the summer etc.
Does this sound about right?
The electric radiators I've found cost about £350 each, and I'll need 4 so £1400. These also state that annual running cost for a flat is about £120 per month but obviously that won't be every month as they won't be on in the summer etc.
Does this sound about right?
Simon Bags said:
You mean all the heat produced by the radiator is efficient but getting that pushed out into the room isn't? I assume that's done by fan of some sort?
Electric heaters turn c.100% of the input power into heat....distribution is typically via convection (warm air rising to above and circulating). You shouldn't need any additional fans, although some heaters may have fans to 'boost' output.MattyD803 said:
Another consideration for electric heating will be - is the power supply big enough for 3/4/5 x 1.5kW electric radiators to be installed. Again, you need input from an electrician here.
Agreed. Although to be honest it'll only be me living there and I reckon only need 1kw radiators and most of the time will only need to have one going at a time.My flat has night storage heaters.
They heat up using off-peak electricity. Cost is reasonable (6.5p /kWh).
I do have a standalone radiator just in case it's particularly cold.
My flat is well-insulated - that makes a difference.
One thing to note is that afaik any electric heating that isn't night storage will reduce your EHC rating
They heat up using off-peak electricity. Cost is reasonable (6.5p /kWh).
I do have a standalone radiator just in case it's particularly cold.
My flat is well-insulated - that makes a difference.
One thing to note is that afaik any electric heating that isn't night storage will reduce your EHC rating
nyt said:
My flat has night storage heaters.
They heat up using off-peak electricity. Cost is reasonable (6.5p /kWh).
I do have a standalone radiator just in case it's particularly cold.
My flat is well-insulated - that makes a difference.
One thing to note is that afaik any electric heating that isn't night storage will reduce your EHC rating
Thanks, another thing to consider. Night storage, you happy with them?They heat up using off-peak electricity. Cost is reasonable (6.5p /kWh).
I do have a standalone radiator just in case it's particularly cold.
My flat is well-insulated - that makes a difference.
One thing to note is that afaik any electric heating that isn't night storage will reduce your EHC rating
MattyD803 said:
Simon Bags said:
You mean all the heat produced by the radiator is efficient but getting that pushed out into the room isn't? I assume that's done by fan of some sort?
Electric heaters turn c.100% of the input power into heat....distribution is typically via convection (warm air rising to above and circulating). You shouldn't need any additional fans, although some heaters may have fans to 'boost' output.Simon Bags said:
Thanks, another thing to consider. Night storage, you happy with them?
Overall happy. But, as I say, my place is well insulated. I'd imagine that a poorly insulated place would suck all of the heat out of them before I got home.
I've no idea how to size them, presumably suppliers can help.
You should be able to find the EHC rating of the flat at: https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate. Assuming that it's not part of the sales pack.
I put electric radiators in my home office and garage a few years ago, the brand is Haverland and they work pretty well, WiFi controlled, mobile app so you can schedule on/off times, I have 3 settings in the app for things like frost control, eco & comfort, you also can produce usage graphs so you could work out costs I guess.
I have no idea how much they cost to run as most of the year they're off, it's only now as we head into winter and I may have to use the home office I turn them on.
I'm sure time has moved on a bit now so there could be more efficient ones out there, I think I paid around £300-400 per rad and the WiFi module was around £50 so not cheap. I used a site which had a room size calculator on there so I could work out the size/wattage required, so depending upon your space it could be more/less as you go through the options.
I have no idea how much they cost to run as most of the year they're off, it's only now as we head into winter and I may have to use the home office I turn them on.
I'm sure time has moved on a bit now so there could be more efficient ones out there, I think I paid around £300-400 per rad and the WiFi module was around £50 so not cheap. I used a site which had a room size calculator on there so I could work out the size/wattage required, so depending upon your space it could be more/less as you go through the options.
Freakuk said:
I put electric radiators in my home office and garage a few years ago, the brand is Haverland and they work pretty well, WiFi controlled, mobile app so you can schedule on/off times, I have 3 settings in the app for things like frost control, eco & comfort, you also can produce usage graphs so you could work out costs I guess.
I have no idea how much they cost to run as most of the year they're off, it's only now as we head into winter and I may have to use the home office I turn them on.
I'm sure time has moved on a bit now so there could be more efficient ones out there, I think I paid around £300-400 per rad and the WiFi module was around £50 so not cheap. I used a site which had a room size calculator on there so I could work out the size/wattage required, so depending upon your space it could be more/less as you go through the options.
Thanks.I have no idea how much they cost to run as most of the year they're off, it's only now as we head into winter and I may have to use the home office I turn them on.
I'm sure time has moved on a bit now so there could be more efficient ones out there, I think I paid around £300-400 per rad and the WiFi module was around £50 so not cheap. I used a site which had a room size calculator on there so I could work out the size/wattage required, so depending upon your space it could be more/less as you go through the options.
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