Electric Heating Guide
As the cold winter weather is approaching, sometimes it feels impossible to keep warm. This isn't a problem when you have an electrical heater to keep you toasty at all times. We'll go over a guide on buying electrical heaters, so you know which one is best for your needs and how much they can cost to run.
Are electric heaters cheaper than central heating?
With energy costs on the rise, it is important to evaluate the most cost effective way to stay warm. Generally, the typical household spends over half of the energy bill on heating and hot water, according to the Energy Saving Trust. If you're home is not well insulated, you will lose a lot of heat by turning on the heating in every single room. Portable options such as fan heaters and space heaters can be more efficient and cost effective as they just heat one room rather than wasting energy on heating rooms no one is in.
How much does it cost to run an electric heater?
Every appliance has a power rating, given in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). 1000W equals 1kW.
This will allow you to calculate how much it will cost to run, depending on how long you use it.
Electricity is sold by kWh, which usually comes up as 'units' in your bill.
You can work out how much an electrical heating appliance costs to run by multiplying the device's wattage by the hours you use it and then by the cost of electricity.
For example, here is an estimate for the cost to run this Lewis's Halogen Heater
Electricity is capped at 34p per kWh under the energy price guarantee that limits the energy price cap. This halogen heater has 3 heat setting of 400W/800W/1200W. If you are on an energy price cap standard variable tariff this means that using the highest heat setting of 1200W will cost 41p an hour to run. (1.2kW x 34p x 1 hour).
Is this cheaper than central heating?
The cost of central heating will vary from household to household and boiler sizes. Boilers are measured in kW as well and modern combination boilers tend to range from 24kW to 40kW. Combination boilers heat water on demand and so are more powerful than system boilers (those that work with a separate hot water tank) and these usually range between 9kW and 40kW. Gas is typically at 10p per kilowatt hour, so an average 3-4 bedroom household with a 35KW boiler would cost £3.50 per hour. A less powerful 24kW boiler would cost £2.60 per hour.
These are just rough estimates, however you can see that the cost of running the Lewis's Halogen Heater would be much cheaper per hour than central heating. The portability of the halogen heater also allows you to move it from to room to room and bring the warmth with you.
Features of electric heating products
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Portability - most electric heating products are very portable and easy to move around, such as the radiators and space heaters.
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Smart features - some products have some great features allowing you to have more control over temperature.
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Timers and thermostats - these features give you more control of how long you want to heat your room and the exact temperature you want. Cost efficient - save money by heating the room and not the whole house.
- Cost efficient - save money by heating the room and not the whole house.
What are some different types of electric heating products?
Some different types of electric heaters we offer are:
Electric fireplaces
An electric fireplace imitates a real fireplace with artificial fire flames and effects using a heat source. Instead of using coal or traditional fuel, the electric fireplace plugs into the wall and runs on electricity. It is a cost-effective and safer alternative to a traditional fireplace.
These electric fireplaces are most suitable for your living room or lounge room to keep you warm whilst you read, watch tv or just chill out. They are a great addition to a living room to keep you warm whilst also being aesthetically pleasing
Radiators
Electrical oil filled radiators use thermal oil to control their temperature and give off heat by convection and radiation. These portable radiators are great for heating up rooms that do not already have a regular radiator in place or as a back up.
Electric radiators are suitable to heat any room thanks to their portability. However, you may want to have them in rooms such as a kitchen or bedroom as they might not be the most visually appealing in a living room.
Heaters
Electric heaters such as space and fan heaters are all portable electrical heating units that are portable, great for warming up rooms. Some of them operate differently, such as space and fan heaters. Space heaters circulate air throughout the unit and into the surrounding space. They are generally quiet and great at evenly warming up a room. Like radiators, they can take a while to warm up. Fan heaters are quick and convenient heaters providing targeted warmth. They work by blowing air over a heated element as it passes into the room, this means they can be noisy. They’re best used for short uses, instead of using them for long periods of time.
These electrical heaters are perfect for any room. You can easily take it from room to room and just plug it into the nearest socket.
Top 5 Electric Heating Products:
Warmlite Oxford 1.8KW Pebble Fireplace Suite White
£399
- Up to 1800W
- Schedule the fireplace to operate over a 7 day, 24 hour period
- Set your preferred mood lighting brightness at the press of a button
- Product Dimensions: H96cm W122cm D35.5cm
- Weight: 59kg
Lewis's Halogen Heater
£25
- 3 Heat Settings
- 400W/800W/1200W
- Safety Tip Over Switch
- Tilt Prevention
- Carry Handle
- Wide Angle Oscillation
- Power: 1200W
- Voltage: 220-240 - 50Hz
Lewis's Oil Filled Radiator 11 Fin - 2500w White
£60
- Three modes: low, medium and high for efficient heating
- Eleven heating fins for plenty of radiation
- Adjustable temperature
- Four castor wheels and a handle for easy movement
- Overheat protection and tip-over switch for safety
- Cable organiser to keep wires neat and out the way
- Assembly required
- Colour: White
- Material: Metal, Plastic
- Overall Dimension: 49L x 24W x 63.5Hcm
- Power: 2500w
- Rated Voltage 220-240V, 50-60Hz
Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater Space Heater
£66
- Modern design - looks great! Tall and sleek look, perfect for home and office areas
- 65° oscillation to cover a larger area, getting the space heated quicker
- 1100W/2200W power with fan
- 10-49°C thermostat to keep at a constant temperature
- Eight-hour timer, schedule when you want it on and off
- LED display panel to control, also comes with a remote control (CR2025 battery required)
- Overheating and tip-over protection for safety
- Assembly required
Lewis's Electric Blanket - Single/Double/King
£20
- 3 Heat Settings
- Machine Washable
- 100% Polyester
- Detachable Controller
- Tie Down Design for Secure Fitting
- Over Heat Protection
Single
- Size: 65 x 135cm
- Wattage: 40w
- Voltage: 220-240v ~ 50HZ
- Size: 120 x 135cm
- Wattage: 75w
- Voltage: 220-240v ~ 50HZ
King
- Size: 140 x 152cm
- Wattage: 120w
- Voltage: 220-240v ~ 50HZ