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Choosing the best modern heating solution for your home can be a challenge. The majority of homes in the UK currently use gas central heating and ‘wet’ radiators – but is that really the best option?
There are many options available, including fan heaters, infrared radiators, oil-based electric radiators, skirting board heaters and traditional ‘wet’ radiators.
In this guide, we will compare electric underfloor heating and ceramic core electric radiators.
Electric Underfloor Heating
Electric underfloor heating runs off your home’s domestic electricity supply. Heated cables, either embedded into a mat or in loose wire form, are laid beneath the floor. When switched on, these wires warm the floor above.
Ceramic Core Radiators
Ceramic core radiators also run from your home’s electricity supply. They don’t use any liquid for heating. An electrical element is used to heat the ceramic core, which then heats the surface of the radiator. When the core is hot, cold air is drawn from the floor and up through the flutes to create convection heat.
Running costs are an important factor when choosing your heating system. First, consider your homes insulation: If heat is escaping through uninsulated walls, roof and floors, you will spend more heating your home no matter what system you choose. If your home is poorly insulated, we recommend improving this before investing in a new heating solution.
Running costs for electric underfloor heating can be affected by a number of variables, including:
Running costs for ceramic core radiators can be affected by:
Installing electric underfloor heating to an existing floor can prove very costly, messy and time consuming, as you may have to dig up the floor. Installing electric radiators is comparably much more straightforward, and usually takes less time to install.
If you invest in smart heating, both electric radiators and underfloor heating can be programmed via app control. Underfloor heating can take quite some time to reach temperature, while electric radiators can be far more responsive. Electric radiators usually have built-in thermostats, whereas underfloor heating thermostats are often found on the wall.
Smart controls allow you to increase temperatures, set heating schedules and alternate between heating modes from anywhere in the world. If you want to make spontaneous changes rather than rely on a program, electric radiators will usually reflect your changes more quickly.
Electric heating of all forms requires relatively little maintenance. There’s no combustible fuel source, and no connection to pipework – so no risk of pipes bursting, flooding or gas leaks. If there is a fault with your underfloor heating, detecting and fixing the problem can be quite complex, considering it’s under the floor. Electric radiators are quite simple to repair by comparison.
HeatElectric are proud to be specialists in electric heating systems. Our high standards of customer service and value have earned us the coveted badge of Which? Trusted Trader, and our installers are NAPIT accredited and work to a no mess, no fuss policy when working in your home.
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Call us or contact us today to book your free home survey on 01244 371445.
