Electric Heating Options for Your Home

Winter can be a difficult period for most of the areas in the UK. For such a time, electric heating systems come to the rescue, and almost every house in the UK has these installed.

Electricity has become an irreplaceable element of the modern lifestyle. The traditional heating systems have evolved into electric heating systems that are more energy-efficient and sustainable for the environment.

Since electric heating options don’t produce any emissions, they are great for installing inside homes and utilising during the colder months of the year.

With a wide range of products available, it can seem daunting to research and compare the products. This article will help you narrow down your choices and select the best electric heating option for your home.

Key Takeaways

• Electric heating systems are a popular and environmentally friendly option in the UK, offering efficient and clean heating solutions.
• Benefits of electric heating include reduced environmental impact, accessibility in areas without gas mains, high efficiency, and precise control over heating.
• Various types of electric heating systems are available, including electric boilers, night storage heaters, heat pumps, infrared heating panels, ground source heat pumps, and hybrid heating systems, each with advantages and cost considerations.

What Is an Electric Heating System?

Unlike the conventional heating systems that use gases or oils to generate central heating around the house, electric heating systems utilise electricity to do the same.

This is a much more energy-efficient and sustainable option as gases and oils are a growing concern for the environment. Electric heating options are becoming increasingly popular amongst many households.

Electricity supplies a powerful connection to the appliance, which helps warm the place or surroundings. You can prefer to go for an electric central heating system or portable electric heaters.

Why Are Electric Heating Systems a Better Option?

The world is rapidly experiencing growing levels of global warming and the effects of the same on climatic conditions. Under such circumstances, it is essential to switch to sustainable products and cause less harm to the world around.

Choosing electric heating systems has several benefits to your home and the environment.

Environmental Benefits

Gases emitted from a gas boiler or an oil radiator are harmful to your health and the environment. In some cases of poor installation, it can cause suffocation due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

An electric heating system minimises the possible risks since it doesn’t emit any harmful gases. You can also choose to install electric heaters through renewable energy sources like solar panels, which help you save electricity and are eco-friendly.

Off-gas Mains

In the UK, there are many houses where gas is not an option. An electric heating system is an excellent option for such houses as they have easy access to the electricity grid.

LPG boilers or oil radiators are not usually a readily available option.

Efficient Performance

In comparison to the conventional heating systems that aren’t very efficient since many amounts of heat are lost through the flue and pipes, electric heaters are highly efficient.

They can achieve an efficiency of up to 100% efficiency with zero-waste. This makes them more eco-friendly than their conventional counterparts.

More Control

One of the significant benefits of using an electric heating system is the amount of control with these devices. By turning on a single heater, you can achieve the desired warmth in your room within a short period.

This gives you a much more comfortable experience and flexibility. You can turn on adjust the thermostat to the desired temperature level without worrying about excess energy consumption.

Types of Electric Heating Systems

With the advent of technology, electric heating systems have evolved substantially, and numerous types of heaters are available for you.

Every electric heater has different functions, usage, and consumption rate. Before purchasing an electric heater, make sure to thoroughly scan the options available, compare them, and then make a final choice based on your requirements.

This section will introduce you to the many types of electric heaters available.

Electric Boilers

Like any other boiler, electric boilers work the same way except that they don’t utilise fuel or gas. For anyone who fancies electrical appliances, electric boilers are a perfect option to go for.

They are much smaller in size, hence only occupying little space in your room. They’re also ideal for smaller areas like bathrooms, attics, etc.

One of the best features of electric boilers is that they’re quiet and don’t make any heavy noise. The maintenance costs are super low than the conventional alternatives.

However, they can prove expensive if you run them for an extended period. This mainly depends on the cost of electricity.

Night Storage Heaters

Night storage heaters are the most cost-effective heating appliances. They have intelligent heating technology and utilise electricity has a cheaper time of the day.

They heat special ceramic bricks that retain heat. The bricks give out heat slowly to your room and keep it warm for the whole night, following the following day.

Once the heat runs out of these heaters, you have to wait till the next night for them to reheat. They start warming up in the evening to nightfall, which is when your home is the coldest.

Night storage heaters are excellent money and energy-saving products and are worth investing in to keep your surroundings warm throughout the night.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are excellent heating products for every house. They work by absorbing natural heat from the surrounding air and moving it inside your home.

This sustainable way of generating heat makes heat pumps one of the best electric heating devices. They can effectively work up to 350%-400%, or even more.

Like many other electric heating systems, heat pumps do not emit harmful gases. This makes them a very sustainable heating option.

Infrared Heating Panels

Another one of the best heating options available is infrared heating panels. These work by using infrared energy to heat objects, unlike the traditional appliances that warm the air.

The innovative infrared technology vibrates and generates heat when it comes in contact with a person or furniture.

They can be up to 100% efficient and are safe to use. You can even manage the installation by yourself. You can jazz up these panels for multipurpose uses, like infrared panels, part radiator, part wall décor.

However, they’re not the most cost-effective solution since electricity is over thrice more expensive than gas, oil, and LPG. They only keep the place warm for as long as there’s nothing between you and the panel.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

These electric pumps also have excellent efficiency and are renewable heating systems. Ground source heat pumps function by extracting underground heat. This is done using a series of connected pipes.

Underneath the ground, the temperatures sit between 10-15 degrees Celsius. The heat extracts this heat for central heating.

A refrigerant fluid present absorbs the heat within the pipes around the pipes. This helps generate heat along with the heat pump and is then blown outside.

Hybrid Heating Systems

Hybrid heating systems are more environment-friendly devices that circulate heat very effectively. These heaters combine a renewable heating system like the heat pump and a conventional central heating boiler.

The intelligent technology helps hybrid heating systems switch between the two systems, depending on which will perform the best at any given time.

What is the Cost of an Electric Heating System?

From the list of products mentioned above, infrared panels and storage heaters are the most affordable, and the prices begin at £100-£150.

Electric heating systems can be installed around the whole property and warm your entire space. You can install one in each room.

On the other hand, air source and ground source heat pumps are the most expensive and have higher installation charges.

Multiple factors affect your heating device and the bills. This includes the size of your home, insulation, the heating system’s efficiency, and how much heating is required for the home.

What are the Alternatives to an Electric Heating System?

As the gas and oil energy sources are running low, people in the UK have been switching to their electric counterparts as it is a much more feasible and sustainable solution.

However, electricity is not the only option for heating systems. The future of heating systems can see hydrogen gas as it doesn’t produce any emissions other than water vapour and heat.

Currently, Hydrogen is quite expensive, and this could take a while.

Another alternative to electric heating systems is solar energy or solar thermal, which uses the sun’s energy to heat the water.

Heat Pump Source: Reliable Heating and Cooling Solutions

At Heat Pump Source, we take pride in our unwavering commitment to serving the UK with top-tier HVAC solutions. From the efficiency of heat pumps and the cool relief of air conditioning to the warmth of boilers, radiators, and underfloor heating, our dedicated team is always at the forefront of innovation. We understand the unique needs of every household and business, and we strive to provide dependable health and cooling products and services that are tailored just for you. Ensuring your comfort and satisfaction is our utmost priority. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or require support, we’re always here to assist. Please don’t hesitate to contact us; we’re eager to be of service.

Conclusion

Heating systems are a crucial part of every house that experiences a harsh winter climate. Since these are environmentally friendly compared to the other alternatives, they can be used for some time.

To ensure these appliances’ regular and smooth functioning, keep them clean from dirt, dust, and debris. If you’re looking forward to installing a heating system within your home, then you can consider choosing an electric heater from the list mentioned above.