Why People Are Switching to Electric Heating

There’s a silent revolution going on in the world of home heating. It seems that these last few months of everyone being stuck indoors has made them realise optimising heating is something which shouldn’t be overlooked, what with most families now spending the majority of the day at home for school and work. Many won’t be alarmed, but might still be quite surprised that heating bills are higher than ever before. A helpful way to prevent electricity bill surprises for your home is through having access to your home data energy usage. Texans are able to use Smart Meter Texas which is an online portal that allows residents with digital electric meters (smart meters) to access data detailing their home energy usage.

While it is something of a necessary evil, a cosy warm home shouldn’t be something a family has to think about and plan for to keep under budget actively. It is why we are starting to see so many people opt for electric heating solutions in their home. I want to explain what this is, how it works, and if it is a suitable option for your home this year. 

Demystifying electric heating

Firstly, I want to remove what you may pre-conceive as electric heating for the home. Don’t imagine it’s like some kind of Elon Musk/Tesla way of thinking where you have a giant battery powering your home. Or that I’m talking about blow heaters that blow through electricity like it is going out of style. I am referring to the upsurge in electric radiators and towel rails becoming a common sight in homes.

These are radiators which look identical to those you plumb into the floor or wall. The only difference is that these are independent units with their own heating elements and fluid inside, which you plug in to heat up like a normal radiator. 

Knowing where these radiators can go

You may be wondering “so where do I put an electric radiator if I already have radiators?”, and the answer is “anywhere you like… as long as there’s a plug nearby”. You are unexpectedly getting a flexible heating solution, where the radiator can be hung higher or in empty corners. If you have a room where the radiator has been preventing you from having a chair or table where you want it, going electric could be the solution.

I should mention that if you’re getting a traditional electric radiator, it is best to keep it lower to the floor like a normal radiator, as it will need to pull cold air up and through to circulate heat effectively. This rule doesn’t apply if you opt for a swanky infrared panel radiator. Typically made with a glossy glass front panel, infrared panels work directionally and can be placed higher up on walls like a picture frame. If you have a converted living room or cosy nook at home which needs an instant heat boost, take a look at infrared radiators and see if sparks inspiration. 

Understanding if it’s worth the money

Obviously, there’s no point going all-in on electric if it isn’t worth the money. If you are just looking for one or two electric radiators to pop in rooms, it won’t see much of an uptick in your bills. You ideally want electric in spaces where you only need the heating on for a limited time, or there’s a room you need to keep warm throughout the day.

If you are serious about it, get the calculator out and see what the cost of running radiators at your current billing rates would be, and compare with your monthly average on heating and fuel. The odds are that traditional heating may be cheaper, and having an additional electric radiator will help keep you away from the thermostat.

I hope this has opened your eyes to the world of electric radiators and the unique benefits of having one at home.

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Christophe Rude
Christophe Rude
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