Rising energy costs and the increasing threat of climate change have led many of us to rethink how we run our homes and businesses. Keeping the lights on, staying warm in winter and running everyday appliances is becoming ever more expensive, whilst we’re all becoming more aware of how carbon emissions produced by our energy production can contribute to environmental harm.
As such, alternative ways to operate are becoming more and more popular, especially when it comes to warming our homes. For decades, traditional gas radiators connected to our central heating systems have provided heat during the colder months, where these can be fitted into any room and provide adjustable levels of warmth.
Nowadays however, electric storage heaters are providing a rival solution. These once cumbersome appliances now come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and with additional features that boost usability, raising the question of whether these heaters could replace traditional radiator options.
Read on to find out more about electric storage heaters, with a closer look at how they compare to standard domestic radiators.
What Is An Electric Storage Heater?
An electric storage heater works by storing heat energy during off-peak hours, which can then be used throughout the day. Electricity is usually cheaper during the night time and early hours when demand is low. As such, your heater will be able to store thermal energy during these periods, which can then be released throughout the day to warm your home.
Storage heaters in the past were difficult to adjust, and many were bulky and cumbersome to install. In contrast, storage heaters today now come in a variety of styles to suit any interior, rivalling traditional radiator installations.
With every upgrade and adaptation, storage heaters have also become more energy efficient, allowing them to conserve the maximum amount of heat until it needs to be used.
Other advancements in electric heater technology have improved the usability of these appliances. Many are now fitted with Wifi connectivity, meaning they can be controlled precisely both from your home or via a mobile device.
Some will also be programmed to automatically adjust to temperature changes, ensuring that the right amount of heat is released at all times.
The Benefits For Your Home
There are numerous benefits to be gained from installing an electric storage heater in your home, where some of these advantages include:
Cost Savings
One of the main reasons why you may wish to install an electric storage heater is that it can save you money in the long run. For instance, EDF energy estimates that a standard 2kW heater can cost just £2.80 per day to run, based on off-peak average electricity rates. This means that you can heat your home in the winter months without worrying about a large gas bill.
Minimal Maintenance
Electric storage heaters are also easy to maintain. These heating systems contain minimal moving parts, and there are no water-filled pipes involved. As such, you can avoid breakdowns and the need for frequent maintenance. Simply keep an eye out for signs of damage and dust regularly to keep your system in good working order.
Easy Use
Many electric storage heaters are designed to be user-friendly, with simple controls and adjustable elements. In particular, programmable electric heaters will allow you to control the temperature in different rooms, where this means you can further reduce your energy bills during the winter months.
Sustainable Heating
Your electric storage heater is designed to be energy efficient, as it will convert all stored electricity into heat. This helps to reduce energy consumption and wastage, in turn cutting down on the carbon emissions produced by your household.
Whole-Room Comfort
Lots of electric storage heaters are fitted with built-in fans and thermostat technology to ensure that stored heat is distributed evenly throughout your space. This can help to guarantee your comfort in the winter months, in comparison to the cold spots often left by outdated gas radiators.
Grants & Funding
If your household qualifies, then you may be able to receive a grant to fund some or all of the cost of your electric storage heater. In particular, the government-backed ECO4 scheme is designed to fund energy upgrades for low-income homeowners, allowing you to benefit from cheaper heating that is better for the environment.
Electric Storage Heaters vs Traditional Radiators
If you have traditional gas radiators installed in your home, then you may feel reluctant to make the switch to an electric storage heater.
Traditional radiators that work as part of your central heating system are familiar and reliable, providing instant heat to every room in your house. Some users will also prefer the ease of a radiator system, where you can quickly adjust the temperature with the manual hand dial. This can help you to feel more in control of your energy usage.
Further to this, radiators have been in production for a long time, meaning that there are a wide range of colours, designs and styles to choose from. As a result, you can easily find an appliance that fits your home interior.
In contrast, electric storage heaters can save you money and improve energy efficiency, but some homeowners may be daunted by this unfamiliar piece of equipment. You may also be unable to afford one of the more modern, stylish installations, meaning you will be limited on the style and colour that you can choose.
Are Storage Heaters Replacing Radiators?
So for the moment, radiators are still a top choice for home heating. But how you heat your home will depend on your specific needs and your energy usage patterns, where you may find that one option is a better fit for you than the other.
Some homeowners might choose to combine the instant heat of a radiator with the cost-saving benefits of a storage heater, helping to give your home a much-needed heating boost. Additionally, if you only want the heating on for short periods, or if you’re heating a small property, then a storage heater could be entirely sufficient on its own.
North East Insulation Services: Electric Storage Heaters For Your Home
At North East Insulation Services, we specialise in home energy upgrades, helping to keep your living costs to a minimum whilst improving your efficiency rating.
Our expert team can supply and install an energy efficient electric heater in your home, where we will take care of every stage of this process for you. When you work with us, you can expect us to talk you through the technology on offer, carefully explaining how to utilise your new system for the best possible outcome.
Additionally, we will check your entitlement to various government backed funding schemes, helping to keep your storage heater installation as affordable as possible. Beyond this, we also supply funded gas boiler upgrades, as well as central heating and smart control installations, helping to optimise your home heating set-up wherever possible.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about our electric storage radiators, or any of our other cost-saving installations.
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