News | Useful Tips & Insights on Electric Heating

There has historically been one obvious concern when thinking about electric heating in bathrooms: the poor relationship between electricity and water. But, recently there has been a surge in demand for electric towel rails and when you compare electric towel rails to their (boring) central heating rivals it is obvious why. The independence that electric towel rails have from the single thermostat that you’ll have if your house is using central heating, means that you can turn on the towel rail to heat your towels or get the ideal temperature in your bathroom.

Radiators are a universal feature of our homes and most of us couldn't imagine living without their comforting warmth. But what springs to mind when you think of a plug in radiator? An outdated, unattractive, expensive way of adding additional heat to your home? Think again! Modern plug in radiators could be that stylish, efficient, permanent heating solution you are looking for! 

In the past, central heating radiators have dominated the heating market. Radiators themselves were invented by the Victorians and the basic technology behind them has not changed significantly since their first conception. Centrally heated radiators are reliant on a boiler which combusts gas, heats up your water supply, passes the heated water through your household pipes and heats the radiators via steam or hot water. Whilst this provides effective household heating, these radiators cannot be installed DIY – unless you happen to be a plumber! Installing central heating can be messy, time-consuming and expensive, as walls may need stripping back and floorboards lifting up to lay pipes and connect radiators. The fee attached will depend on the complexity of the installation, based on such factors as the age of the house and the nature of the pipe layout, but plumbers’ bills can run into the thousands. Luckily, there is a quicker and easier alternative for home heating: wall mounted electric radiators...

Our heating systems can say a lot about our personalities and way of life. You may prefer the orderly structure of a programmable system if you’re a creature of habit, or you might have a devil-may-care, spontaneous lifestyle better suited to an adaptable smart appliance. Electric heating systems will always be able to provide warmth to suit your own personal routine (or lack thereof), but if you’re unfamiliar with the types of heaters on offer, it’s not always easy to narrow down your choice. For those who need a little extra advice, all you need to do is take a quick look at our quiz to guide you to the perfect solution.

Where would we be without our trusty room heaters? Handy in a pinch when our central heating suddenly conks out and reliable as a zoned heater for everyday use. Room heaters come in all shapes and sizes but therein lies the problem – there’s a lot of different products out there which all claim to do the same job. ‘Room heating’ is quite a vague phrase and we all have different requirements for warming our home, so it’s to be expected that some heaters just won’t make the cut. So, what should you be looking out for when you come to buy a room heater?

It’s easy to take heating for granted in the developed world. We rarely give it a second thought unless we have to go without it, and at times we can forget just how lucky we are to have our own dedicated source of home heating. Why not spare a thought for all the enterprising individuals throughout history who strove to provide us with these modern conveniences we would struggle to live without? In the 19^th century, engineers and inventors were fascinated by electricity and could see that it had far reaching potential to change our lives for the better. One of the many applications they foresaw for electricity was to provide convenient and reliable heat for the home. It’s from these humble beginnings that modern electric heaters were conceived.

Electric heating has had a bad reputation in the past for being costly and ineffective, and unfortunately, it’s a misconception which has persisted even to this day. Many is the time a potential tenant will turn their nose up at a flat with a solely electric heat source, but this is often because they’re presented with old, antiquated appliances that are sorely in need of an update. Modern electric heaters couldn’t be more different – they’re streets ahead of gas in terms of efficiency, control, style and safety, which is why they are increasingly popular with property developers. You may not realise it, but electric heating could actually be a bonus when looking for a flat. Here’s why…

Choosing between gas and electric has always presented a quandary for landlords. This is truer now than it’s ever been, with savvy tenants increasingly listing the choice of heating system as a key consideration when browsing rental properties. Of course, tenant satisfaction often comes at an increase in expenditure, so it’s important to find a heating solution that strikes the right balance between quality and affordability. If you’re a landlord in a similar predicament, electric radiators may be just the solution you’re looking for!

Last time, we looked at how to get the most out of your conservatory during winter and how best to keep it warm and cosy enough for use even during the colder months. In part two, we will be tackling condensation – the other main frustration of conservatory use during this time of year. This is a common problem in conservatories and you should never turn your back on it if it occurs persistently. Get control over your conservatory by understanding the causes of condensation and how you can reduce its occurrence.