Electric radiators.

[Jo]

Looking forward to the cooler weather, (!!!!) I was wondering how the different electric radiators perform, I have seen oil filled ones 2000 W and the warm air ones 1200 W, is there any way of comparing efficiency/running costs? I notice the oil filled ones are much more expensive initially, but wouldn't mind that if it meant they were better/more economical to run. Has anyone had some experience of both types?

[idun]

We had an oil filled mobile one and it cost a fair old bit to run.

When we first got to France we had a storage radiator and for all it was very old, was very very good and kept our appt warm in very cold winters. It also did not cost a fortune to run, it heating up on the heures creuse.

[SC]

If an electric heater consumes 1200W of electricity it delivers 1200W of heat, no more although different types of heater deliver their heat it different ways. The economic arguments for expensive electric radiators are based on their controllability - the only way they can be cheaper to run than other radiators is if they have switched themselves off more often.

 

Leroy Merlin says that an average room requires 1000W heating per 25 cubic metres, in the UK 1000W per 15 cu metres is recommended. Go for fast radiators with fan or some radiation effect if the room will be unheated when not used, or slower (oil, chaleur douce or storage) radiators if the room will always be heated.  In either case the wattage must be sufficient for the volume if electricity is the sole heating source.

 

Leroy Merlin has a good fact sheet on choosing electric heating that also explains in diagrams how the heat is distributed by different types of heater:

 

http://www.leroymerlin.fr/multimedia-storage/7/dbc3deeaa0e2bbcd8b7571cf638b618-reussir_prise_de_mesure_chauffage_electrique.pdf

 

 

Bear in mind that open-element heaters dry the air which is great if you enjoy picking your nose [:)].

 

Electronic thermostats control a radiator more accurately than mechanical ones.

 

If it is an option, an intelligent programmable electronic thermostat mounted in the occupied part of the room, coupled to a contactor controlling simple radiators in the room, is a better way of achieving a "central heating" effect.

 

If you can insulate and draught proof individual normal sized rooms and heat them only when they are being used, then your electric heating will not be particularly expensive to run.

 

If the wattage chosen is too low and the heater struggles to maintain a comfortable temperature, you will feel chilly as your body will be contributing to heating the room.

 

Steve