The Amazing Slim Jim Electric Boiler

According to studies, modern British homes are barely half the size when compared to houses in the 1920s and, on top of this, the smallest houses in Europe. With living space at such a premium, it is harder than ever to furnish your home and still find room to move around freely. And it’s not just furniture that’s a problem; home heating is too. How are you supposed to find room for a standard boiler when there is barely enough room for a double bed? Thankfully, the Electric Heating Company has the solution and its name is Slim Jim.

Maximising Space

Designed specifically for homes and dwellings where living space is tight, the Slim Jim is able to provide you with a boiler solution, even when you do not have room for one.

This electric boiler is able to maximise space in a couple of ways. First, as the name suggests, it features a slim, low profile design that can be installed discreetly in a cupboard and still leave enough room for your laundry and ironing board. Secondly, the temperature control setting (featuring a 30-80°C range) and on/off switch are featured on the front of the machine and the heat exchanger is contained within it, meaning no need for an additional water tank.

Installed Where You Need It

The Slim Jim is not only versatile due to its size – the fact that it is an electric boiler means it can be used in a wide variety of applications. For properties with no access to natural gas, but in need of a traditional ‘wet’ central heating system, this boiler is essential and can be installed complete with radiators, thermostatic valves, programmer, and room thermostat,providing you with a gas-like system without the pipework or expense of a gas installation and without the harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Since its launch, the product has also been used to replace outdated storage heating systems and expensive oil and LPG systems.

This level of versatility further extends to its range of outputs: 4, 7, 10, 12, and 14.4kW and in the fact that it can be installed as an open vented or conventional sealed system with heat only or heat and hot water options.

Outstanding Safety

Besides being one of the most versatile and energy efficient boilers on the market, the Slim Jim  offers a state-of-the-art safety features and is one of the only boilers in the UK (along with other electric boilers in the EHC range) to offer a secondary high current overheat safety cut-out.

Home living in the UK might be the most cramped in Europe, but, thanks to the amazing Slim Jim electric boiler, it is also the warmest!

What is a Digital Radiator?

With carbon dioxide (CO2) contributing greatly to global warming, there is a collective global effort to cut carbon emissions, so governments are urging people to look at their own individual carbon footprint and consider ways in which they can help the environment. For eco-conscious homeowners, one of best ways to slash emissions is to ditch gas boiler systems and switch to sustainable energy sources, namely electricity. Digital radiators are making this possible.

                                                              

Digital radiators are similar in size and shape to traditional ‘wet’ system convector radiators, but offer many more benefits.

Fuss-Free Installation

Electric digital radiators are revolutionising home heating, being a win-win for homeowners, allowing them to do their bit for the environment, while at the same time saving money on energy bills.

Like standard convector radiators, these electric heating panels are typically wall mounted; however, installation is done without the cost and without the fuss. No pipe work required in the installation process, which means no expensive per-hour plumbing labour charges. In fact, with a little bit of DIY knowledge, you can have one of these radiators up and running in minutes.

However, while easy installation is a great benefit and a significant selling point, it is in the performance stakes where they really offer value for money.

The Right Heat at the Right Time

Digital radiators are fitted with a built-in control panel and thermostat that gives you full control over its operation. In situations where different environments are required at different times (which is pretty much every day in the unpredictable British climate!) these radiators really come into their own, making them suitable not just to daily home living but for rooms such as loft and conservatory extensions.

The digital programmable thermostat allows you to control room temperature and operating times at the touch of a button. It can be manually controlled or fully programmable 24/7 with a range of heating options.

Standard digital electric radiators include comfort, economy, and anti-frost modes to ensure you are provided with the right heat at the right time, and an LED screen will display the current temperature at all times. To ensure safety in use, panels also feature a ‘blocking’ feature so that settings cannot be tampered with.

Home heating is steadily gravitating towards sustainable energy sources and digital radiators are at the forefront. If you are a homeowner, now is the time to say goodbye to traditional heating and hello to modern digital living.

Why Electric Boilers Are Better Than Gas

When it comes to purchasing a new boiler to heat your home, your choice will come down to a straight fight between electricity and gas. There are many differences between the two and there is a definite argument in favour of each; however, as a homeowner,electricity gets the nod for a couple of reasons, which we will get on to soon. First, though, let us look at one of the major buying factors: running costs.

Running costs

For anyone buying a boiler, running costs will play a significant part in the decision-making process and, in this area; electricity can simply not compete with gas. Per kWh, electricity is almost three times the price of gas, which is why the majority of homes have gas boilers. For some people, especially those that have large Electric heating demands, the running costs of electricity are simply too high and electric boilers are unable to compete with gas as a result.

So why opt for an electric boiler at all, when you will be paying three times the rate to run it? Because running costs are not the be all and end all.

Purchase, Installation and Maintenance

While gas boilers are cheaper to run, they are much more expensive than electric boilers to buy, install, and maintain.

Electric boilers are a fraction of the price of gas boilers to buy outright and are much easier to install, which keeps the price of labour low. If you do not already have a gas supply in your property, the cost of bringing a gas pipe into your home – if it is at all possible – will amount to thousands. On top of this, you will also be advised to have a system checked periodically to ensure it is operating safely – such a service can cost hundreds of pounds. Electric boilers, on the other hand, require very little maintenance and rarely need servicing.

Carbon Emissions

The greatest argument in favour of electric boilers is carbon efficiency. We are all trying to be more economical and cut our carbon footprints and, unfortunately, gas heating is a major factor in CO2 output.

If you consider yourself eco-conscious, an electric boiler is really the only viable way to heat your home. Electricity is a sustainable energy source - gas is not. In addition, with the introduction of green electricity tariffs, the cost of running an electric boiler is becoming much more affordable, with rates starting from around £0.9p p/kWh.

If you want to do your bit for the environment while making a saving on installation, an electric boiler is the way to go.

Types of Radiator for Your Home

Modern radiators are becoming increasingly advanced and stylish, varying in colour, size, and design. However, while the range of options continues to increase, when purchasing a radiator it is important to remember its main purpose: heating the home. When choosing a radiator for your home, you need to ensure that you select the right type for a particular room, otherwise it may be ineffective and result in wasted energy.

Convector and Flat Panel Radiators

Convector and flat panel radiators are the most widely used and are suitable for every room in the home, space permitting.

There are five types of radiator in this category:

• Single panel radiator – These radiators were the first to be fitted in modern homes and are designed to fit flat against a wall, giving out radiant heat. While they are not as common now, many homes will still have them installed.
• Double panel radiator – Similar to the single panel variety, but with an extra panel for extra heat.
• Single panel convector radiator – More modern convector radiators give more even heat by moving air over and under the radiator. These radiators are available in numerous sizes.
• Double panel convector radiator – a common feature in households, this type of radiator, along with the larger double panel double convector, give out a lot of heat, but do command considerable space.
• Compact radiators – featuring a top grille to hide the convectors, these modern, stylish radiators are perfect for small rooms and designed to sit flat on the wall.

Tower Rail Radiators

Towel rails are becoming increasingly common in bathrooms and some kitchens and are lauded for their stylish appearance. These types of radiator should not be considered as an option if decent heat output is required as they are lacking in this department. However, for warming towels they get the job done.

Electric Radiators

Quickly becoming the radiator of choice for homeowners, electric radiators come in several different outputs and are available in a range of sizes and styles to suit any room in the home. The great thing about electric radiators is that they can simply be mounted and plugged in anywhere and easily removed when required, without affecting the water or gas supply. 

While there are numerous options available, electric radiators can be grouped into four categories:

• Standard radiators – operating like 'wet' system convector radiators and accommodating any room.
• Vertical radiators – like standard radiators but designed specifically for space saving.
• Conservatory radiators – complementing the existing heating system, can be mounted or freestanding to provide heat in a conservatory.
• Bathroom radiators – the perfect alternative to the towel radiator, with better heat output. These radiators are wall mounted to save space.

Buying a Boiler on Finance

An efficient boiler is one of the most essential elements of any home, providing heating and hot water whenever you need it. Unfortunately, while a boiler is regarded as a household essential, getting hold of a good model is not cheap. A decent boiler will easily cost in excess of £1,000 – more money than most homeowners can afford to pay outright. This generally leaves buyers with three options: loan,finance, or credit card. Each of these options is viable; however, for this particular purchase, finance is the preferred choice.

 

Finance over Loans and Credit Cards

Bankloans and credit cards are great for many things, but for a one-off purchase like a Boiler, Electric heating boiler, Electric Combi boiler finance is a much more beneficial method of payment.

Where loans and credit cards involve approaching a bank for the money needed for a purchase, finance is provided directly from the dealer. With major financial purchases such as a car, many financial experts recommend loans over finance due to the lower interest rates in the long-term (3 years and over). In the short-term, however, loans and credit cards are unable to compete with finance deals, which allow the customer to take advantage of 0% APR.

With 0% deals, it is possible to spread the cost over 10-12 months and pay no more than the original asking price. A small deposit may be required, but this will be deducted from the total cost.

What to Look For

When purchasing a boiler on finance, 0% APR is the first thing that you should look for, especially if you envision yourself being able to pay off the total cost within 10 months.

If you think you will need longer to pay off the total amount, you should look for deals that offer 24- and 36-month repayment terms. Interest will typically be higher than a loan, but 19.5% APR options will allow you more manageable monthly repayments without requiring you to pay too much over the original price over the 2- or 3-year term. Anything over 19.5% APR should be avoided.

As with any purchase, buying Electric boilers on finance should only be done if the deal is right for you, so make sure that the dealer offers a finance calculator so that repayment terms can be tailored to suit your budget. In addition, as you are probably going to want your boiler installed as soon as possible, a dealer that offers an instant decision is a definite plus. This will avoid any hassle and waiting time for credit approval.