Electric Heating: Save Money and Go Green

With UK energy prices continuing to rise and fossil fuels regarded as the number one issue in tackling carbon emissions, many UK homeowners are searching for alternative ways to heat their homes. Of these viable alternatives, it is electric heating that is leading the way. 

 'Electric' and 'heating' are not typically two terms that people put together and associate with efficient heating. This tends to be because of two things: storage heaters and that fact electricity is more expensive than gas.

Electric Heaters are Not Storage Heaters

Electric heating is traditionally seen as an expensive way to heat the home and this is because of the old storage heaters that became so popular after the introduction of the Economy 7 tariff in the 1970s. These heaters, while useful, and essential to people without a gas supply, were widely inefficient and rarely provided the 'right' heat. Modern electric heaters such as those offered at Electric-HeatingSupplies.co.uk are nothing like these old models; in fact, in terms of performance, they actually have more in common with conventional wet system radiators.

Modern electric heaters are designed to be 100% efficient (every unit that you pay for is turned into heat) and can be operated in exactly the same way as gas central heating radiators. Plugged in at the wall or spur wired into existing storage heater sockets, these heaters can be installed anywhere you need them. Crucially, they also come fitted with in-built controls to regulate temperature so you only ever use the heat that you need. While gas is cheaper on paper than electricity, this level of control means installing electric heating in your home is a more cost-efficient. Radiators can be switched on and off as required and are not dictated by a 'master' radiator.

Eco-Friendly Heating

While gas resources continue to deplete, electric heating has a long-term future as a renewable energy source produced by solar, wind, hydro, and wave technologies. Not only does this make heaters a safe and reliable long-term investment, it makes them an eco-friendly heating solution. As governments continue towards their aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, electricity will become increasingly influential as an energy source.

So, electric heaters can save you money and help lower your carbon footprint. What more could you possibly want from a home heating solution?

Electric-HeatingSupples.co.uk is the UK's leading provider of electric heating solutions, offering state-of-the-art products designed to improve heating.

The Problem with Storage Heaters

If you currently have storage heaters installed in your home, it is probably time to think about replacing them with modern electric heaters. At Electric Heating Supplies, a lot of our business comes from customers getting rid of the old and embracing the new. Storage heaters, while at one time useful for homes with no direct access to gas, are simply too ugly, bulky and expensive to warrant in place in 21st century homes. Aesthetics and size are two of the main reasons given by people looking to upgrade to state-of-the-art electric heating. However, the main grievances with storage heaters centre on running costs. 

The Economy 7 Tariff

The Economy 7 tariff is the whole reason storage heaters became popular in the first place and it was first introduced in the 1970s as a way to provide homeowners with cheaper electricity. The tariff works by providing cheaper ‘off-peak’ rate electricity during the night (typically between the hours of 10 pm and 8:30 am). Storage heaters can then be used to utilise this tariff by charging overnight when electricity is cheaper and emitting heat through the day.

The problem with this tariff (besides it not being as cheap as it seems due to disproportionately high daytime tariffs) is that it makes lights and appliances such as the fridge, cooker, and television, more expensive to run, meaning you don’t really save any money at all.

Lack of Control

Modern heaters, like electric boilers, have thermostat controls that allow you to set the temperature to suit your needs – storage heaters do not have this same level of control. Getting the right heat with storage heaters relies on you being able to predict the weather for the next day – an almost impossible task.

In addition to this, storage heaters charge during the night when everyone’s in bed and emit heat during the day when everyone’s at work!

Inconsistent

Storage heaters tend to draw a lot of power in building up the surplus heat energy they need for a sustained output. However, heat is often quick to ‘leak’ without benefiting an entire room and once they’re out of heat you need to top-up, which you can’t do until night time. Some heaters do feature a ‘boost’ feature, but this is inconsistent at best.

Modern electric heaters from EHS are able to reach full temperature in just 30 minutes, after which a 10-minute charge provides around 40 minutes of heat. Better than this though, is the fact that they do not have to be charged up at all – you simply switch them on whenever you need heat.

Five Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

With household energy bills at an all-time high and carbon emissions threatening to push global temperature to catastrophic levels, it makes sense for everyone to do what they can to their make homes more energy efficient. Not only will this mean doing your bit for the environment, you will be saving some significant money too. 

Here are our top five tips for cutting bills and slashing emissions.

1. Improve Your Insulation : More than 40% of heat in the home is lost through walls and loft space. By investing in good insulation, it is estimated that you can save as much as 20% on your energy bills. Cavity wall insulation takes just a couple of hours to complete and any investment can be recouped in three-to-five years.

Loft insulation can be installed by any confident DIYer and will save around £70 a year on bills. 200mm of insulation is the recommended thickness.

2. Install Electric Heating : After you home is insulated, you can make further savings by installing electric heating. While gas is cheaper per kilowatt than electricity, the advanced controls and 100% efficiency of Electric Heating Supplies’ radiators allows them to warm rooms quicker at the desired temperature. Without heat escaping, electric radiators can be switched off sooner than gas radiators (which take longer to heat up), saving you money on energy bills.

3. Draught Proof Windows and Doors : Draughts in windows and doors are a common sign of poor insulation. These can, however, be repaired easily using mastic sealant and draught excluders, saving £10-£20 a year.

4. Turn down the Thermostat : Whether you have electric or gas heating, simply turning down a thermostat by 1'C will shave 10% off heating bills. The ideal temperature for rooms is between 18'C and 21'C.

5. Change to Energy Saving Bulbs : Replacing existing light bulbs with energy efficient alternatives can help you cut energy wastage by as much as 75%. On average, these bulbs last nine times longer than ordinary light bulbs and, while they do cost a couple of pounds more to buy, the investment is definitely worth it.

On the subject of light bulbs, switching off unnecessary lights will help you make considerable savings. Lighting accounts for around 20% of an annual electricity bill, so ensuring lights are not being left on needlessly makes sense.

Electric-HeatingSupplies.co.uk is a leading supplier of electric heating products, offering a wide range of electric boilers and radiators for efficient home heating.

Four Ways That Electric Radiators Are Better Than Storage Heaters

Electric radiators are the most advanced and efficient heating solution on the market; however, a lot of people are still wary about purchasing them. Why? Because of the bad name given to electric heating by storage heaters. 

Though they are both powered in the same way, electric radiators and storage heaters have very little in common. The new, state-of-the-art, products are better than their predecessors in every way. Here are four examples that prove this is the case.

1. They're Designed Better : Old storage heaters are not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing of products, nor are they particularly streamline. These bulky units are far from ideal where floor space is at a premium and look incredibly dated when sitting next to the surrounding modern furniture. Fortunately, electric radiators are designed with looks in mind and are sleek and elegant when mounted on a wall or castors. Thanks to innovative products such as vertical radiators, advanced heaters can be installed in small rooms and dwellings without taking up any floor space.

2. They're Cheaper to Operate : Storage heaters are designed to charge during the night when electricity is cheaper and emit heat during the day. The problem with this is that it affects other household appliances such as the fridge/freezer and television, making them more expensive to run. While they have storage properties, electric radiators do not need to be charged up overnight and can be operated as and when you need them, taking just 30-minutes to reach full temperature.

3. Heating Can Be Controlled : Unlike storage heaters which rely on you predicting the weather in order to get the right heat for the next day, electric radiators can be fully controlled via built-in thermostats. This means a comfortable level of heat can be achieved every time.

4. Bricks are Now Tiles : Storage heaters contain bricks that are designed to keep heat that is generated in and recycle it when the electricity has been switched off. Unfortunately, there is no control over heat and bricks tend to leak without any long-lasting effect on the surrounding area. EHS electric radiators come with patented Magmatic Heat Retention Tiles, which are designed to minimise energy use and running costs.

For more reasons whyelectric radiators are the home heating solution of the future visit our site today.

EHS is the UK's leading supplier of electric heating solutions, offering electric radiators, vertical radiators, combi boilers and more.

The Top 5 Renewable Energy Sources

Electric boilers and electric heaters are being heralded as the long-term successor to gas central heating systems and a key factor in a low carbon future for the UK. The reason for this, besides the advanced technology used in the manufacture of these efficient products, is their ability to run off clean energy. Going forward, renewable energy will provide most, if not all, our electricity needs and power our home heating. Here are the top five natural sources we will be relying upon.

 

1. Wind : Wind turbines, or wind farms, are becoming an increasingly common sight in the countryside and along coastlines, and these will be used to meet the majority of our electricity needs. Turbines sited in windy parts of the countryside have the potential to generate around 20% of the UK's electricity, while those mounted offshore could provide up to 50%.

2. Wave : When harnessed by deep-sea systems out at sea, wave energy could potentially meet 20% of electricity needs. Further energy, albeit in smaller amounts, can also be generated on-shore and coastal systems located in gullies.

3. Tidal : Water trapped behind barrages during high tide and released to power turbines is known as tidal energy. Such schemes, as the one planned for the Severn Estuary, could supply 6% of the UK's electricity. According to experts, Britain has excellent tidal barrage potential that could be used to provide up to 20% of electricity requirements. Fast moving tidal streams in the Channel Islands and some areas of Scotland also have great potential.

4. Solar : Solar is perhaps the most common renewable energy source of all and can be used to power electric heating boilers and meet hot water needs. Solar energy is turned into electricity by photovoltaic cells on panels. According to Imperial College London, the UK should have ten million homes with solar panels by 2020, which will supply 40% of electricity needs.

5. Geothermal : Though not strictly a renewable energy source (geothermal wells could eventually be exhausted, though not any time soon), around 10% of UK electricity can be gathered from hot dry rock deep below the earth's surface.

Renewable energy presents and exciting future for the UK and now is as good a time as any to install the electric heaters that can harness it.

EHS is the UK's leading supplier of electric heating products, specialising in electric heaters and electric boilers for all buildings and dwellings.

The Role of Thermostat Controls in Efficient Heating

Much emphasis has been placed on achieving efficient home heating in recent years, with homeowners investing in various products to help them minimise heat loss and, in the process, save money on energy and reduce carbon emissions. Solar panels, insulation and energy efficient double glazing are all now standard features on new build homes; however, there is one little gadget that is every bit as effective without receiving half the plaudits of other energy saving methods: the thermostat.

Whether you have an electric combi boiler or a gas one, thermostat controls are a real money saver. It is estimated that controlling heating with a thermostat can save between £70 and £150 a year on energy bills and 310kg to 630kg of carbon dioxide. In order to benefit from these savings you need to implement heating controls in two areas: in rooms and on radiators.

Thermostats for Rooms

Accompanying EHS' range of electric heating boilers are a selection of advanced thermostats that can be installed to control temperature and configure when heating is switched on/off and at what times of the day. These controls allow heating to work around the needs of a family based on when they are home and what rooms they use. Typically, room temperatures are set between 18°C and 21°C – not too hold and not too cold.

Thermostats for Radiators

Thermostatic controls for electric and vertical radiators are one of the standout benefits of electric heating. While it is possible to purchase radiator valves for wet system radiators that can reduce the flow of water to regulate temperature, they are in no way as advanced as those offered on electric heaters.

In-built digital controls, allow panel heaters and radiators to be fully controlled in the same way that a master thermostat controls a full central heating system. Temperature can be regulated and pre-defined settings for comfort, economy and frost protection can be utilised to provide the right heat in specific circumstances. This level of individual control means heating can be controlled on a room-by-room basis. As electric radiators warm up quickly, these can be switched on upon entering a room and left off when the room is not in use, resulting in excellent savings on bills and CO2.

In This article author writes about EHS. EHS is the UK's leading electric heating specialist, offering a wide range of electric combi boilers and vertical radiators for efficient home heating.

The Futures Bright - The Futures Electric

With the growing problem of global warming and the damage carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are causing to the ozone layer, a long term plan is being implemented to move the UK towards a low carbon heat future, a future with panel heaters and electric radiators at the forefront of home heating. 

Eliminating Greenhouse Gas Emissions : Once upon a time, the primary source for heat production was wood. This was eventually surpassed by coal during the industrial revolution, which was soon followed by oil and gas. Today, gas is by far the dominant fuel, producing around 80% of all heat used in the UK – in homes, commercial buildings and industrial processes. Unfortunately, the production of gas is incredibly damaging to the environment, which in turn makes it dangerous to society, health, and the economy.

A global temperature rise of just a 2'C will cause untold damage to the planet, which is why greenhouse gases must be eliminated. As detailed in the 2008 Climate Change Act, the UK aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80%, first from buildings and then from industrial processes.

Electric Heating : Central to the government's plan of creating low carbon households is renewable heat – heat provided by renewable energy sources. Thanks to advancements in solar, wind and wave technologies in particular, the spotlight has been fixed very firmly on electric heating.

Electric radiators, vertical radiators, and panel heaters have been receiving high praise for some time from users for their excellent efficiency, ease of installation and versatility, but it is their role in a low carbon future has had people exploring the benefits.

Electric heating powered by renewable energy, however, is not only critical in lowering the UK's collective carbon footprint creating an eco-friendly future; it presents financial benefits to users.

While electricity is more expensive per kilowatt than gas (for now), panel heaters and electric radiators offer greater control over heating. With homes better insulated than ever before, the ability to better tailor radiators to your temperature preferences and heat up rooms quicker means there are significant savings to be had on energy bills.

Through renewable energy, electric radiators and panel heaters will play a key role in our future, reversing the damage caused by reliance on gas.

EHS is an electric heating supplier based in Blantyre, Scotland. The company specialises in panel heaters and electric radiators for efficient home heating.

Home Heating - Gas vs Electric

If you are moving into a new home and need to install heating or are replacing your existing system, you are met with two options: gas or electric. Traditionally, there has been only one winner, gas. However, given the advancements of electric combi boilers and panel heaters in recent years, electric has become a viable alternative; but is it enough of one to topple good old gas central heating.

Running Costs : Running costs are single biggest factor in choosing a new heating solution. When heating your home you want to do it as cheaply as possible, making gas the obvious choice. With gas, you are going to spend less pence/hour than you would for electric, but this does not necessarily make it cheaper.

You see if your home is properly insulated, electric panel heaters could be the better solution. Electric radiators heat up much quicker than gas, meaning a home can be heated in fraction of the time and switched off again. Electric heaters warming in your home in 45-60-minutes is going to be much more cost effective than gas radiators warming your home up in 90-120-minutes. If your home is under-insulated, then you have a problem with whichever heating solution you opt for.

Installation and Maintenance : When it comes to installing boilers and radiators, gas simply cannot compete with electric. Panel heaters are simply plugged into any standard three-pin wall socket or spur wired in existing storage heater sockets, while electric combi boilers have no tank or flue to contend with. No pipework is required, which means no disruption to your home, and no annual safety checks need to be performed.

Energy Efficiency : If your home has cavity wall and loft insulation and is fitted with double-glazing, both gas and electric should be relatively efficient. However, in the long-term, as homeowners are encouraged to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, electric is the best bet. With panel heaters powered by renewable energy, electric heating will be 100% carbon free.

Versatility : Gas radiators are installed in a fixed position and cannot be moved without altering pipework, because of this they score low in versatility. Panel heaters, on the other hand, can be wall mounted on brackets or freestanding, enabling them to be moved wherever the homeowner requires.

Conclusion : Gas maybe the most widely used heating system for homes, but this might not be the case for much longer. Electric panel heaters and boilers have surpassed their gas counterparts in every way and eventually become the heating solution of choice for homeowners everywhere.

How Electric Heating Can Help Lower Your Carbon Footprint

Carbon emissions, greenhouse gases and global warming – three terms that we have become accustomed to hearing on a daily basis, in the press and from various politicians and industry experts on the television. These terms are, of course, not thrown around without reason. Through our collective reliance on fossil fuels, we are doing significant damage to the ozone layer and, subsequently, the planet – damage that cannot be allowed to continue.

Around 36% of the UK's energy is used to heat space and hot water in our buildings and fossil fuels are used to supply virtually all of it. It's no surprise then that the government is keen for homeowners to consider methods that can reduce how much gas we use and lower our carbon footprints; most notably cavity wall of loft insulation and energy efficient double glazing. As good as these installations are in helping reduce the amount of heat that escapes from a property, eliminating carbon emissions in the long term requires a move away from traditional central heating entirely. This is where electric heating is becoming increasing important.

Renewable Energy

While most of the electricity we use still comes from the burning of fossil fuels, the UK's commitment to reducing carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050 means great strides are being made in renewable energy. Solar, wind, hydro, and wave technologies will eventually provide the most, if not all, of the electricity used in Britain, and electrically powered heating will become the norm.

Electric radiators are not just an investment for the future, however; they are already the most advanced and efficient heating products on the market. Unlike wet system radiators, electric heaters offer 100% efficiency and they can be fully controlled via built-in thermostatic controls. They are simple to install (wall mounted or freestanding), require no maintenance and provide the heat you need whenever, and wherever, you need it. In addition to this, space saving solutions such as vertical radiators allows electric heating to be utilised in every type of dwelling.

With a combination of increased renewable energy production and electric radiators, home heating in the future can be totally carbon free, helping sustain a healthy planet for future generations.

To find out more about electric heating and how it can help lower your carbon footprint, visit Electric-HeatingSupplies.co.uk.

Electric-HeatingSupplies.co.uk is the UK's leading provider of electric radiators and vertical radiators, providing efficient heating solutions nationwide.

Electric Radiators - Central Heating for Homes without Gas

For the majority of homes in the UK, connection to a gas supply and central heating is something that is taken for granted. However, there are over 4 million people across Britain that do not have access to the gas grid and many more that rely upon temporary dwellings such as caravans and holiday homes on occasions during the year. 

So, without gas how do you set about heating your property? One option is to hire, or buy gas fires; however, these are expensive, bulky and require you to have a gas bottle inside your home – something that many people are not comfortable with. Another downside to this solution is their inability to deliver a traditional radiator experience. A much better alternative is to invest in electric heating and there several reasons why.

Efficient Heating

Electric heating is the most efficient type of home heating on the market – offering 100% efficiency, with every penny spent being converted into heat.

It is also fully controllable. Electric radiators come fitted with thermostatic controls allowing each heater to be adjusted according to specific temperature requirements. Radiators fitted with advanced TDI controls provide the additional benefit letting users place heaters on a timer, switching on an off around your needs.

Space Saving Heating

One of the greatest benefits of EHS products, whether it’s an electric heating boiler or vertical radiators, is their space saving capabilities. Boilers such as the SlimJim are designed to provide a heating solution where space is at a premium, while radiators come in a range of sizes and configurations, with wall mounted and freestanding options ensuring better management of space.

Fuss-Free Heating

Apart from the aforementioned benefits, what makes electric heating so appealing is its simplicity. Installation of electric radiators is as easy as pushing a plug into a wall socket and boilers possess no flue or cylinder, making fitting fast and straightforward.

All products are maintenance free – no pipework, no bleeding and no annual gas safety checks – just safe, clean heating. Because of these benefits, an electric heating system will last 50% longer than a gas system.

In the past living in an area without a gas supply was regarded as a disadvantage; however, thanks to electric heating it can now be seen as a benefit.

EHS is a leading supplier of electric heating for homes and businesses, specialising in the provision of vertical radiators and electric radiators.