Are Electric Radiators Expensive to Run?

German electric radiators are some of the most commonly used heating appliances in the house. As the name suggests, these radiators use electricity to run, which again raises the question: are they expensive to run? While we’d want to put a number on the exact cost of running heating appliances, there are variables to be put into consideration before settling for a definite figure. Some of the variables/factors you should consider when calculating the running cost of an electric radiator include:

1. The size of the room/house: as a rule of thumb, a larger room will require more fuel to heat up as compared to a much smaller one.

2. How old the house is: older homes are less energy efficient, hence might take a lot longer to heat up. Taking on renovations and a few modifications here and there can however help improve its energy efficiency.

3. Individual heating requirements: we all have unique heating needs. That said, keeping a perfect balance or heat level where everyone in the house will be satisfied can be quite a challenge. This is because some will wish their rooms to be warmer than others. This, therefore, means the demand for electricity will change, or even increase, as everyone looks for the perfect spot.

4. Exposure to natural elements: exposure to weather elements such as cold storms, torrential downpours, and harsh winds can affect the radiator’s ability to keep the home warm and comfortable. Detached houses, for example, will require more energy to stay warm. This is because the home is exposed to all these elements on either side. Terraced homes, on the other hand, will be much cheaper to heat too. Residue heat from other homes will linger on for longer thus reducing strain on your radiators. Properties facing northwards are also more vulnerable to harsh winds hence harder to keep warm.

5. The time of the year: your radiator will use more electricity to keep the house warm in winter. It won’t, however, have to work as hard towards summer when the weather is warmer.

How To Calculate Your Electricity Bill

If you can take all variables and the factors outlined above into account, you might then be able to put a figure to the electric radiator’s energy consumption. A simple calculation should help you estimate the amount of electricity the heater will use. Simple multiply the radiator output (kW) with the number of hours it will be in use; multiply the result with the cost of a kW hour to get the daily cost.

E.g. Radiator output (kW) X (x)hours of use X pence per kWh = daily cost

These calculations do not factor in variables such as times when you’ll not be home, rapid weather changes, and how long you’ll be at home. There are times when you’ll be forced to turn the temperature higher or lower, use the heater more, and even be away from the house for several hours or days.

Take Control of Your Heating

If you wish to take advantage of the electric radiator but cannot wrap your mind around the costs that come with the same, it might then be time to consider smart control options. There are various ways in which you can control your light bulbs and the electric radiator remotely via an app. For just £162.00, you can install a smart hub Wi-Fi gateway, which lets you control the radiator remotely, among other electric items. We also install smart heaters with built-in sensors that will detect abnormal temperatures, for example, if you leave a window open. This goes a long way in preventing energy wastage.

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