Richard Brown, Managing Director of Electrorad, explains why home heating has never been easier due to the advances made by electric radiators and why they are fast becoming the number one choice for new housing developments, refurbishments and storage heater replacements.
The electric heating industry has changed significantly over recent years. Most recently with the much talked about Ecodesign Lot 20 which ensures 24/7 programming along with energy saving functions with each radiator. The design and functionality of the actual radiators themselves has also undergone a radical transformation with modern styles now in abundance.
Today’s electric radiators and panel heaters are a far cry from the bulky, outdated and often inefficient storage heaters. Not only are they better looking, they look more like traditional gas central heating radiators than ever before, and provide the same quality and type of heating.
As more and more properties are now being built on non-gas plots, electric radiators and panel heaters are becoming a preferred option when looking for an optimum heating solution that combines safety with versatility, comfort and control. From an installers point of view they are easy to fit with no messy pipe work required.
In control
But it’s the controllability that electric radiators and panel heaters offer that steals the show. Thanks to their extremely accurate thermostatic controls and programmable options, they are 100% energy efficient, meaning they only use the electricity that’s needed to maintain comfortable temperatures – unlike storage heaters. Plus, if the electric is supplied by renewable technologies, a carbon-free home can be created.
Electric radiators also boast accurate energy saving digital controls for both time and temperature flexibility, some being accurate to +/-0.1°C. Each radiator can be individually thermostatically controlled and left to run independently, or they can be connected together to a central controller/hub to create a home heating system. In larger properties multiple zones can also be set up to control separate floors or areas. This can save energy as a result, as no heat is wasted warming unused rooms/areas unnecessarily.
Many electric radiators, such as the Dig-Line range, are also available with programmable thermostats that can use the internet via specially designed Apps that wirelessly control the heating times and temperatures within the home. The apps work in conjunction with a central touchscreen or hub that acts as the WiFi gateway, and that enables control of the heating in any room in the house, from anywhere in the world.
Energy saving
Controlling the heating in this way not only provides greater freedom and flexibility, it offers significant control over energy usage too. For homeowners, this means that they can adjust their heating from wherever they are; should plans change, or if there are significant changes in the weather, simply by using the app on their smartphone, PC or tablet. It’s a huge plus for owners of holiday homes, for example, as they can control their energy usage from afar. Equally, by recommending smart heating with smart controls, you can appeal to the desire to embrace new technologies and match heating preferences to lifestyles. The combination of a relatively low-cost investment and minimal disruption to the home with no wiring and smart technology, has significantly raised the appeal of these models.
Other smart features found in the latest ranges include; Geolocation which automatically activates the radiators when the homeowner is a set distance to or from the home, and an Adaptive Start function that learns the heat-up characteristics of the room, and will calculate what time to switch on based on the current temperature, the required temperature, and the time it will take to get to the set point. Some electric radiators such as the Vanguard WiFi range even feature control technology that makes them compatible with voice control app Amazon Alexa to enable voice interaction and connectivity.
Embrace the change
Homeowners and developers are keen to embrace the flexibility and control of their heating, whether that’s near or from afar, so the pressure is on to ensure you know which heating systems offer convenience of control, ease of installation and energy management. Electric radiators and Smartpanels are more than capable of whole home heating, providing a modern alternative to traditional gas central heating systems and storage heaters. So ensure you are embracing the latest technology and offering the latest ranges to your customers.
For more information on Electrorad’s range of Lot 20 Ecodesign compliant electric radiators, visit: www.electrorad.co.uk
