Entering the world of home heating can sometimes feel like learning a new language. Words like “thermal inertia” and “BTU output” might leave you scratching your head. But fear not – at Electrorad, we’re here to break down electric heating jargon, so whether you’re a homeowner upgrading your system or a trade professional helping clients make informed choices, you’ll feel confident every step of the way.

How Understanding Heating Jargon Benefits You

Understanding heating jargon is more than just getting to grips with technical terms. It’s about making informed choices that can impact your comfort, energy efficiency and even your wallet – or your clients’.

For homeowners, knowing what features like thermal inertia or programmable thermostats mean can help you select a heating system that keeps your home warm and your energy bills low. For trade professionals, being fluent in heating terminology allows you to guide your clients towards the best solutions, ensuring satisfaction and repeat business.

By demystifying these terms, you’re empowered to make smarter, more effective decisions regarding heating your home or advising your customers.

Top Electric Heating Terminology Explained

Convection Heating

Electric radiators frequently use “convection heating” as their primary method of warming a room. Convection heating works by circulating air through the radiator and into the room. The air is heated as it passes over the radiator’s surface, rising and spreading warmth throughout the space.

Convection heating provides a quick and even distribution of warmth. This type of heating is ideal for maintaining a comfortable room temperature in spaces that are regularly used, such as living rooms or bedrooms.

Radiant Heating

Radiant heating refers to the method of heat transfer. Unlike convection heating, which warms the air, radiant heating directly warms objects and people in the room. Think of it like the warmth you feel from the sun on a cold day. 

Our Vanguard electric radiators are a great example of radiant heating in action, providing efficient and comfortable warmth throughout your home.

Thermal Inertia

Thermal inertia might sound like something from a science fiction novel, but it’s actually quite straightforward. It refers to the ability of a material or system to retain heat. In simpler terms, the higher the thermal inertia, the longer your heater will stay warm after it’s been turned off. 

For example, our Aeroflow electric radiators are designed with ceramic core technology, which provides excellent thermal inertia. This means your room stays warm for longer, even after the radiator has stopped drawing power.

BTU Output

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, a measure of heat output. Specifically, it’s the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. While that might not mean much at first glance, in practical terms, a higher BTU output means your heater can warm up a room more quickly. 

When choosing a heater, it’s essential to match the BTU output to the size of your room. Our Smartpanel electric heaters come with various BTU outputs, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every space in your home.

Wi-Fi Enabled Heating

In today’s connected world, “Wi-Fi enabled” is a term you’ll see everywhere, including in the realm of heating. Wi-Fi enabled heating systems, like our Digiline electric radiators, allow you to control your heating remotely via an app on your smartphone or tablet. 

Whether you’re coming home late or want to warm up the house before you get out of bed, Wi-Fi control gives you ultimate flexibility and helps you save on energy bills.

Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat lets you set your heating to turn on and off at specific times of the day. This is perfect for ensuring your home is warm when you wake up or come back from work, without wasting energy heating an empty house. 

All of our electric radiators feature programmable thermostats, so you can enjoy a cosy home that fits around your schedule.

Heat Retention

Heat retention is exactly what it sounds like – the ability of a system or material to retain heat. This is a critical factor in keeping your energy bills down. A radiator with good heat retention will stay warm for longer, reducing the need for constant reheating. 

Our Aeroflow electric radiator range excels in heat retention, thanks to its high-density fire-clay core.

Smart Heating Controls

Smart heating controls are advanced systems that allow you to manage your heating more efficiently. These controls can learn your heating preferences and automatically adjust to optimise comfort and energy savings. 

With options like our Vanguard+ electric radiators, which integrate seamlessly with smart home systems, you can control your heating with just your voice or through an app, making it easier than ever to stay warm and save money.

Heating Made Simple & Cost-Effective with Electrorad

Understanding heating jargon empowers you to make informed choices that enhance comfort, efficiency and cost-effectiveness in your home or for your clients. Whether you’re upgrading your heating system or advising customers, a clear grasp of these terms will guide you towards the best solutions. 

Get in touch with our team today for expert advice and to find out more about our top-quality electric radiators.