Installing electric radiators: how hard is it?

Last updated: February 2023

One thing that often deters people from upgrading their home heating system is the disruption it can sometimes cause. Most homes these days have gas boilers and a centralised system which may be difficult to upgrade, whereas those who live in flats or homes powered by electricity might find it a little easier. Either way, installing electric radiators really isn't as difficult as you might think... 

The power of electric

Over the past couple of years, the amount of people investing in energy efficient electric heating has soared. It's clean, it's efficient, it can look fantastic, and perhaps more importantly, it can help you cut down your energy usage and save money. When managed in the correct way, there are some electric radiators on the market that can give you such a high degree of control over your heating that you really can see a marked difference on your energy bills. Want to take control of each room individually? Done. Want a different temperature in the same room at different times of the day? Easy.  

Installing an electric radiator

Energy efficient electric radiators are taking the UK by storm, not least because of the current worry around gas imports and prices. 

With smart meters rolling out into UK homes next year, electricity = control. But some people are hesitant when it comes to upgrading. Sometimes it’s because they don't trust the technology and would like to find out more, other times it's simply because they think upgrading and installing their radiators is going to mean a lot of hassle and expensive work... but that couldn't be further from the truth. 

Really, how a radiator is installed depends on the type of radiator you buy. At Electric Radiators Direct, we're specialists in selecting energy efficient products that are easy to set-up with minimal fuss for the customer. Let's take our bestselling product, the Ecostrad iQ Ceramic, as an example as we address some frequently asked questions and problems... 

Using the bestselling Ecostrad iQ Ceramic as an example, this video is all about how to install electric radiators. We’ll be answering pressing questions such as when to opt for professional hardwiring and how to DIY-install a wall mounted vs. freestanding electric radiator.

Won't I need an electrician?

That all depends. With the iQ Ceramic you have an option, depending on your needs and what you want to achieve. We make a point of supplying every unit with an attached 3-pin standard UK plug, so you can hang your radiator, plug it straight into the wall and get started. If you want something more 'permanent' or perhaps aesthetically pleasing (if you're installing them all over the house, like many do), you may choose to hardwire them into your home's main circuit. We'd advise getting the help of an electrician for this but it's a quick job, and once you've got power to the unit, you're good to go. Whether you have your radiators hardwired in or simply plugged in permanently to the wall, it'll have no bearing on the energy saving potential and the result will be just the same. 

What about a builder? Won't I need heavy tools?

Absolutely not. Again, if you've got a builder on hand then they might well be able to fit these for you. But the iQ Ceramic, as with our other ranges of energy efficient electric radiators, is extremely easy to install. Each radiator comes with wall brackets, all the screws and plugs you need, and a handy template so you can position it nice and easily on the wall. It couldn't be simpler. The radiators are also very light and easy to handle. A typical installation might take around 10 minutes, with the aid of a pencil and a drill. Then simply plug it in, connect the power, and you're good to go. You can even purchase the radiator feet if you prefer a portable option.

The three-step guide:

1. Position the template on the part of the wall you'd like the radiator to be fitted, then drill a place for your wall plugs.

2. Insert the plugs and then fit the brackets onto the wall.

3. Finally, hook the radiator onto the brackets and tighten the safety screws on top.

Those three easy steps are all it takes to get fully up and running with an iQ Ceramic Electric Radiator, and you can sit back and start enjoying the energy saving warmth of a clean, economic heating solution. So, no more worrying about fluctuating gas prices, and once you install a smart meter you'll be able to take complete control how much energy you're spending day to day.

Fitting your electric radiators isn't difficult, and if you're hoping to upgrade to an energy efficient heating solution soon, don't let it stop you. If you'd like more information on which radiators to choose, their money saving potential, or how to install and operate them in the best way, just give us a call any time or leave a message on our website. We've spent years searching out the best products, researching them and delivering them to UK homes.

Check out our review to learn why the iQ Ceramic is our smartest radiator yet.

Shop with us today

Electric Radiators Direct are here to bring you the very latest energy news, views and opinions from across the UK. They are also suppliers of energy efficient electric heating solutions and are constantly assessing the market for the best products and the latest ground-breaking technology which they think will make a real difference to their customer's homes. Electric Radiators Direct are devoted to helping you reduce your carbon footprint and bring down your energy bills and they work hard to raise awareness of energy efficient products that can make all the difference. If you're interested in wall mounted electric heaters or infrared panel heaters, call Electric Radiators Direct today on 0330 300 4444 for a free assessment.

Key learnings

  • How a radiator is installed depends on the type of radiator you buy, but many are DIY-friendly straight out of the box.
  • Each radiator comes with wall brackets, all the screws and plugs you need, and a handy template so you can position it nice and easily on the wall. 
  • Radiators like the iQ Ceramic can be purchased with compatible feet, for a freestanding, portable option.
  • If you want something more 'permanent' or with no wiring on show, you may choose to have them professionally hardwired into your home's main circuit.

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