Electric radiators and heaters have surged in popularity in the UK, thanks to their exceptional efficiency and user-friendliness – not to mention their sustainability, as homeowners search for ways to lower their carbon footprint and make their homes greener.

There are plenty of ways to ensure your electric central heating system is as green as can be, as well as keeping your heating bills in check. Read on to explore our top tips for creating a more eco-friendly home with electric radiators, including advice on maximising smart features and the benefits of green energy providers.

Understanding Your Electric Radiators

Before diving into eco-friendly practices, it’s important to understand the basics of your electric radiator. There are several types of electric heaters available on the market, for example:

  • Thermal Fluid or Oil-filled Radiators: These use electricity-powered heating elements to heat oil, which then radiates heat into the room.
  • Dry Thermal or Oil-Free Radiators: These contain metal heating elements, such as aluminium, which provide rapid heat-up and cool-down times.
  • Ceramic Radiators: These heat ceramic plates, which then warm the surrounding air. They are ideal for larger or harder-to-heat rooms.

While the type of electric radiator might influence its features and controls, it’s important to recognise that all electric radiators and heaters have an efficiency of 100%, according to Joule’s law. So, while it’s helpful to know which system your electrical heater uses to heat your home, the method won’t change how efficient your radiator is at turning electricity into heat.

To create a greener home, the below tips will be much more helpful than trying to choose your system based on the manufacturer’s claims of higher efficiency.

Making the Most of Smart Features & Functions

One of the standout benefits of modern electric radiators is their wide range of features designed for efficiency and control. These features are a vital part of your journey to a greener home and understanding them ensures more eco-friendly usage of your electric rad. These features include:

Eco Temperature Setting

  • This mode typically sets your radiator to a lower, consistent temperature, ensuring that the room remains comfortably warm without consuming excessive energy. 
  • It is particularly useful for maintaining a steady temperature during times when full heating is unnecessary, such as overnight or when the home is unoccupied, contributing to both energy savings and a lower carbon footprint.
  • This feature can be found in lines such as the Thermastore HHR and Vanguard, as well as our electric towel radiators.

Open Window Detection

  • This intelligent feature will sense a sudden drop in temperature, indicating that a window has been opened, and will temporarily switch off to conserve energy. Once the window is closed and the temperature stabilises, the radiator resumes normal operation.
  • This feature ensures that your heating system is not working overtime to compensate for lost heat, thereby conserving energy and enhancing overall efficiency.
  • Open window detection can be found across our electric radiator models, including the Aeroflow, Digiline and Vanguard.

Programmable Thermostats

  • By using the programmable thermostat, you can schedule your heating needs according to your daily routine across different rooms, ensuring that they are warm when needed and conserving energy when not.
  • For example, you can program your radiators to start heating just before you wake up and to reduce heating when you leave for work. With a pre-set thermostat, you’ll never forget to adjust the heating again!
  • This feature can be found across all of our electric radiators and towel rails.

Adaptive Start

  • This function learns the heat-up characteristics of your room – such as how long it takes to reach the desired temperature – and adjusts the start time of your radiator accordingly.
  • Instead of turning on too early and wasting energy or too late and failing to reach the desired temperature in time, the adaptive start feature ensures optimal efficiency and reduces energy waste.
  • This feature can be found in models such as the Aeroflow, Digiline and Vanguard.

Energy Usage Monitor

  • An energy usage monitor provides real-time feedback on the amount of energy your radiators are consuming. This feature allows you to track your energy usage patterns and identify opportunities to save energy.
  • By understanding how much energy each radiator uses, you can make informed decisions about when and how long to use your heating. This transparency encourages more conscious energy consumption and greener usage.
  • Energy usage monitors are available with our Vanguard and Smartpanel models, with the Vanguard showing up to a year’s worth of stats for comparison.

Remote Controllability

  • Remote control functionality, often enabled through a smartphone app and Wi-Fi connectivity, allows you to manage your radiators from anywhere – whether at work or on holiday.
  • You can turn off the radiators if you forgot to do so before leaving home or preheat your home before you return. This flexibility ensures that your heating system is used efficiently, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
  • This remote connectivity is possible with models such as the Aeroflow and Digiline.

Optimising Your Radiator Placement and Usage

When it comes to getting the most out of your electric radiators, placement is key. Here are some expert tips to help you create a greener, more efficient home:

  • Placement Under Windows: Windows are major sources of heat loss, especially in colder months. Positioning your electric radiator beneath a window creates a curtain of warm air that acts as a barrier against cold air descending from the glass. This helps prevent cold drafts and reduces overall heat loss, meaning your radiator doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
  • Away from Doors: Doors, especially those frequently opened, can cause significant heat loss as warm air escapes and cool air enters. Install wall-mounted electric radiators on interior walls or away from doorways to prevent heat exchange, ensuring warmth remains contained within the room.
  • Avoid Blocking with Furniture: Ensure that your radiators are not obstructed by furniture or heavy drapes. Blocked radiators cannot circulate heat freely, leading to inefficient heating and higher energy consumption. Keeping a clear space around radiators allows warm air to distribute evenly, potentially saving you up to 10% on energy bills too.

Additional Eco-friendly Tips for a Greener Home

Creating a greener home involves more than just optimising radiator use. Here are some effective ways to improve the eco-friendliness of your home’s heating:

  • Renewable Energy Tariffs: Switch to an energy provider that offers renewable energy tariffs. This ensures your home is powered by sustainable sources like wind, solar or hydroelectric power.
  • Heat-Retaining Materials: In the colder months, use heavy curtains and thick rugs to retain the warmth generated by your electric radiator. These materials help maintain a steady indoor temperature, cutting down on energy use.
  • Invest in Insulation: Insulation is known as one of the key ways to save on bills and reduce energy demand. By insulating your loft, for example, you could save up to 1,000 kg of CO2 a year in a detached house, and up to 600 kg a year in a semi-detached house.

Trust Electrorad for Planet-friendly Home Heating Solutions

By understanding your electric radiator’s features, optimising its placement and integrating additional eco-friendly practices, you can significantly reduce both your carbon footprint and energy bills. It’s a win for both you and the planet.

The journey to a more sustainable home doesn’t end here – explore more of our blog for additional tips and insights. Browse our wide range of advanced electric radiators and heating solutions to find the best match for your energy-efficient home, including trusted models like the Aeroflow and British-made Vanguard and Digiline.