What Are the Best Radiators for My Home?

A new radiator can be a great way to improve the efficiency of your home. Replacing your old radiator with a new unit can offer better heat output and help to reduce energy bills.

There are lots of different style options to choose from when looking for a new radiator. In this guide, we’ll talk you through what you need to know before purchasing a new radiator and provide you with a breakdown on the best radiators and heaters for your home.

How Many Radiators Do I Need?

The amount of radiators you will need depends on the size of your home. 

British Thermal Units, also known as BTU, is the unit that measures radiator efficiency. The BTU rating takes into consideration the size of the room and can help you to work out the amount of radiators you need.The BTU can be calculated online using a British Thermal Units calculator. 

Where Should I Install a Radiator? 

If the walls in your home are constructed from solid masonry, brickwork or blockwork you will have the greatest choice in where you can place your radiators.

If the walls in your home are constructed from plasterboard, you will need to be careful when installing a new radiator. Begin by finding where the studs run in the wall as this is the strongest part and the radiator will need to be hung from this.

When installing a radiator, avoid putting it behind large pieces of furniture such as a sofa or bed as this can block the heat.

Do I Need Radiator Valves?

A TRV, also known as a thermostatic radiator valve, changes the direction of the water flow in a heating system to prevent it from getting any hotter once it has reached the desired temperature. When purchasing a radiator, you’ll need a pair of radiator valves to control the heat output.

From June 15th 2022, it is a legal requirement to have thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) on every radiator when you upgrade the boiler in your home, unless you have a thermostat in each room. If you are looking to install an electric radiator, you won’t need radiator valves as this efficient type of unit already has a system built in that allows you to control each radiator separately.

Which Radiators are Best - Plumbed or Electric?

Every home is different and will either use a plumbed central heating system or electric radiators. 

Plumbed Radiator - A plumbed radiator works with your existing central heating system. This type of radiator uses hot water to heat your home.

Electric Radiator - An electric radiator only requires the mains electricity supply to function.

What Are the Different Types of Radiators?

Central Heating Radiators

Central heating radiators are the most common radiator in the UK. This type of radiator uses heat generated by the central heating system in your home to provide you with heating by allowing hot water in and out of the pipes.

Pros:

• A range of styles and sizes to choose from.
• Effective heating on demand.

Cons:

• With a central heating system, you’ll need to turn on your entire heating system to heat up one room.

Electric Radiators

Electric radiators are a great choice for homes looking to heat their homes more efficiently, particularly those that don’t have a central heating system installed. This type of radiator simply plugs into your electricity supply to generate heat. Unlike other forms of heating, the installation of electric radiators is much easier and can be completed by yourself.

Pros:

• Electric radiators are incredibly efficient, with almost 100% of electrical energy converted to heat.
• Electric radiators are easier to maintain, as they don’t need to be bled or flushed out like a central heating radiator does.
• Electric radiators can save energy as you won’t need to turn on your entire heating system for one radiator. 
• Easy to install.
• No pipework or boiler is required.

Cons:

• Electricity can be expensive.
• If a power cut occurs, you can be left without heating for a while

At YESSS Electrical, we stock a wide range of high-quality electric radiators from top brands including Osily. Shop Electric Radiators

Oil Filled Radiators 

An oil-filled radiator uses an internal electric element to heat up the thermal oil inside the unit. Oil-filled radiators often come on wheels, making them easy to move around and position anywhere in your home.

Pros:

• Oil-filled radiators are incredibly energy efficient, in fact they actually continue to provide heat even when they are turned off, keeping the area warmer for longer.
• Portable and easy to manoeuvre.
• Oil-filled radiators make zero noise.

Cons:

• Oil-filled radiators are large and take up extra space.
• They can take a long time to heat up.

Here at YESSS Electrical, we stock a wide variety of energy efficient oil-filled radiators, including the popular oil-filled Osily radiator. Shop Oil Filled Radiators

Towel Radiators 

Towel radiators are usually found in bathrooms and are designed to heat towels before using them. This type of radiator can be plumbed into the existing central heating system of your home or powered from the electricity supply.

Pros:

• Towel radiators take up less space than the traditional radiator making them perfect for a small bathroom area.
• Towel radiators quickly dry wet clothes and towels.

Cons:

• Installation is fairly complex and requires a qualified electrician or plumber.

At YESSS Electrical, we supply a variety of towel radiators including both plumbed and electric. Order online today for free delivery over £50. Shop Towel Radiators from YESSS Electrical

Underfloor Heating 

Underfloor heating is common in bathrooms or kitchens. This type of heating uses a system of pipes, like one large radiator, that are laid underneath the surface of your tiled floor.

Pros:

• Reduction in cold spots.
• Underfloor heating is more energy efficient than radiators as it runs at a lower temperature. 
• Space-saving.
• Can enhance the levels of comfort in your home

Cons:

• Can be expensive to install.
• Installation takes longer.

Take a look at an extensive range of underfloor heating solutions from YESSS Electrical below. Shop Underfloor Heating

What Are the Different Types of Heaters?

Often there can be areas of your home that are difficult to heat up. These spaces can benefit from an additional heater to help combat this issue. Below, we’ll talk you through the different types of home heaters, how they work, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Fan Heaters

A fan heater uses electricity to provide instant heating. This type of heater can be placed on a desk or shelf and effectively warms up the surrounding air using a series of fans. It is lightweight and portable, ideal for rooms that require that extra bit of heat.

Pros:

• Small and lightweight, easy to move around.
• Provides immediate heating.
• Affordable to purchase. 

Cons:

• Can be noisy.
• Consumes a lot of electricity if used for a long period of time.

Here at YESSS Electrical, we supply a range of efficient fan heaters from top brands such as Osily and Rhino. Shop Fan Heaters

Convector Heaters

Convector heaters use an internal metal heating element to create a convection current and heat up the surrounding air. Ideal for providing additional heating to a room, convector heaters are relatively quick to disperse heat. 

Pros:

• Provide instant heating.
• Lightweight and easy to move.

Cons:

• They can be costly if used regularly. 

YESSS Electrical stock a wide range of high-quality and efficient convector heaters. Shop Convector Heaters 

Panel Heaters

Panel heaters, also known as convection heaters, are a budget-friendly heating option. They contain a series of internal metal heating elements which provide fast and effective heating through a convection current that effectively transfers heat around the room.

Pros:

• Slimline design.
• Fast and reliable heating.
• Silent.
• Affordable to purchase.

Cons:

• Runs on electricity which can be expensive if used for a long period of time.

Here at YESSS Electrical, we have an extensive range of high-quality panel heaters. Shop Panel Heaters

Storage Heaters

Storage heaters are a type of electric heater that is ideal for homes which use an Economy 7 meter for cheaper electricity rates overnight. Storage heaters absorb and store energy during the night and this is then used to heat your home the following day.

Pros:

• Storage heaters are cheap to run as they store off-peak electricity.
• They are inexpensive to install when compared to central heating radiators.

Cons:

• Storage heaters have to be turned off to store heat.
• They can be quite heavy and bulky.

At YESSS Electrical, we have a large collection of reliable storage heaters for sale. Shop Storage Heaters

What is the Best Heating Solution for My Home?

The best type of radiator for your home depends on the type of property you have and your specific heating requirements. 

At YESSS Electrical, we stock a wide range of central heating radiators, electric radiators, and heaters. We also stock a range of commercial and outdoor heaters including over door heaters, industrial heaters and infrared patio heaters. Shop online today or contact us on 01924 227941 if you have any questions about our heating products.