Having a well-heated home is crucial during the harsh winter months. However, many consumers often have to rely on an inefficient heating system that provides poor heat output. These systems also increase your energy consumption costs and cause much discomfort in the winter. 

If you want a system that is efficient and produces excellent heat, switches to electric heaters. Electric heaters produce excellent heat that comfortably warms up your home. 

Smart electric heaters are a great option if you have better energy efficiency and control over your heating. These intelligent systems are incredibly cost-effective in the long run. If you want to make the switch to this system, here is everything you need to know about smart electric heaters. 

What Is Electric Heating?

Before we look at some of the best electric heating systems, it is important to look at what electric heating is and how it works. Electric heating refers to any heater that uses electricity as the main power source to heat up your home. 

Under electric heating, there are several systems that use this principle to provide lasting heat. The large choice in electric heating systems allows every consumer to find their ideal appliance. 

Some of the most common types of electric heaters include storage heaters, oil filled heaters, electric boilers and much more. 

It is important to note that electric heating is different from heat pumps as heat pumps do not use electricity directly to provide heat. One reason why many consumers turn to electric heating is due to its low-carbon emissions. 

As a result, electric heating, especially low energy electric heaters is a much more environmentally-friendly option compared to other heaters. The reduction of gas and coal power stations is leading to many consumers switching to electric heating. 

With the rise of more renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power connected to the power grid, you can use electric heating as an eco-friendly heating option. Despite its low carbon emissions, many homeowners are hesitant to switch to electric heating due to rising energy prices. 

Fortunately, there are several electric heaters that are energy efficient. Smart electric heaters are designed to use energy more efficiently than any traditional heater. With the addition of smart capabilities, you can access several features that will help you save on energy costs. 

How Do Electric Heaters Work?

While the heating process in electric heaters differs from system to system, however, they all follow the same basic principle to provide you with comfortable warmth. 

Electric heaters operate as standalone units that use an electrical element to heat the internal core. These systems come with two main types of cores: dry and oil filled cores. 

Even though each core works and reacts differently with the heat, they all provide efficient heating that has excellent thermal retention. In general, electricity travels through the heating element inside the unit and uses electrical resistance to produce heat. 

When the element heats up, the thermal energy is transferred to the core which is conducted by the heating system’s casing. Afterwards, this energy is transferred into the surrounding air, creating a comfortable environment. 

Oil Filled vs Dry Element Electric heaters

In oil filled electric heaters, an electrical heating component heats the reservoir of thermic oil inside the heater unit. This electrical heating element is fully submerged within the thermic oil, which allows the element to generate heat efficiently. 

Once the heater is turned on, the heating element heats the oil, which transfers the heat emission to a metal wall through convection. Once this process happens, the heat emission leaves the walls via conduction and finally into the surrounding through air convection and thermal radiation. 

The heating process works a little differently for wall-mounted electric heaters with a dry element. Dry element heaters come with a wire coil that acts as the main heat emitter in such heaters. This element is inserted into the base of the heater model. 

When the electric heater is supplied with an electrical current, the electrons join together and move through the narrow length of the wire element. This emission process creates friction and heat as the electrons move along the wire. 

When the wire heats the thermal liquid, the heat emission is transferred to the heater section, which then heats up a room through an air convection method. This is the main electrical process of most heaters. However, some electrical heaters might work a little differently. Regardless, most electric heaters use either a thermal liquid/oil or a dry element to heat up your home comfortably.    

What Are Smart Electric Heaters?

As mentioned before, electric heating systems are designed to use energy efficiently. If you want even more efficiency, smart electric heaters are a great option. These modern heating systems use innovative smart technology to provide several energy-saving features. 

Smart electric heaters use network connections to operate, and you can use either wifi or Bluetooth to access features. 

Almost all smart heaters come with a corresponding app that you can download on your phone to control the appliance remotely. From the app, you can access various other features that provide even more functionality to your heating system. 

Some of these features include accurate temperature control, timers, scheduling, and much more. With modern smart heaters, you can control all temperature-related aspects of your home. 

Through the app control, you can access a wide range of functional and energy-saving features that will allow you to monitor your energy consumption, create custom heating schedules, and set timers for operation. 

This high level of control and ease of use makes smart electric heaters ideal for many households. These smart heating systems use machine learning to adjust the temperature according to the time of the day or the climate outside. 

Some smart heaters are also compatible with home assistant devices such as Alexa and Google Home. This feature allows you to use the heating system completely hands-free. You can also use voice controls to activate the heaters or follow any commands. 

Smart heaters come in a variety of different sizes based on wattage. Therefore, there is a smart heater to fit every household’s needs. Depending on your home’s heating requirement, your energy consumption will fluctuate. 

Despite the higher wattage, smart heaters will help you save on energy costs due to their smart technology and energy efficiency. Smart heaters are also designed with modern aesthetics in mind. These heaters come in neutral colours to easily fit into any household. 

Traditional heaters often look bulky and would stick out in a home; however, modern smart heaters are sleek with a minimalist design that blends seamlessly into the background of your home. 

Important Features In Smart Electric Heaters 

As mentioned before, smart electric heaters come with a variety of intuitive features that improve the heater’s energy efficiency. Here are some of the most important features you can find in smart electric heaters. 

• Open-winder Sensor: this helpful function temporarily pauses the heating if the heater detects a rapid drop in temperature, usually from an open window or door. When the window/door is closed, the heater resumes heating. 
• Home Assistant Compatability: if you want to enjoy hands-free control over your heating, this is a great option. Home assistant compatible heaters allow you to use voice control to activate your heater. With this option, you can start heating up your room from anywhere. 
• Adaption Operation: this function allows your heater to learn how long it takes to reach specific temperatures. When this feature is used, the heater pre-heats your room, so they remain perfectly heated at the right time. 
• Geofencing Sensors: this feature turns your heater on or off depending on the presence of someone in the room. If you leave a certain section of the geofence, the heater will switch to a lower heat setting to conserve energy. When you return to the geofence radius, the heaters will start working at full capacity. 
• Energy Consumption Data: some smart heaters provide energy consumption data that helps you track your energy use in real time. This data will help you make savings wherever possible. 

What Are The Benefits Of Smart Electric Heaters?

The main benefits of smart electric heaters lie in their smart features and capabilities, however, electric heating itself also has numerous benefits as an ideal heating system for any consumer. Here are some of the most important benefits of smart electric heaters. 

Digital Programming

Electrical heating systems are well-known for their innovative technology and their functions are no different. With this heating, you don’t have to worry about unreliable dials and buttons to operate your heater. 

Traditional switches and dials are not are accurate as the digital programming in electric heaters. With this modern function, you can create custom heating schedules that match your lifestyle and routines. 

Customisation is a great tool to minimise any accidental energy waste. Regardless of how often you use your heating, digital programming will keep track of all your schedules to make sure that no energy is wasted. These heating systems are also fitted with an easy-to-read LCD display that makes programming more simple. 

More Energy Savings

As mentioned before, smart heaters are considered eco friendly electric heaters and can help you achieve better energy savings. So, how exactly do these appliances achieve this? Since electric smart heaters provide more efficient control over heat energy, you can avoid wasting heat emissions. 

An average household in the UK uses 242 kWh of electricity per month and heating takes up a significant portion of these costs. By simply switching to energy-efficient boilers, you save £260 to £580 per year. 

With these figures, you can see that heating energy takes up a major portion of household costs. Many experts estimate that efficient heating systems, including smart heaters, can help you save between 10-20% on energy costs. 

The actual amount of savings depends on a number of factors, including the duration of heating and the size of your household. Therefore, the more you use smart electric heaters, the more energy savings you will enjoy. 

Even though most smart heaters have high upfront costs, most of these appliances will pay for themselves in the long term due to energy savings. Apart from energy savings, smart heaters also have many functions that allow you to make energy-efficient choices with your heating. 

Many smart heaters come with a peak/off-peak function. This also allows you to manage your heating in order to achieve potential energy benefits. In this setting, the heaters either lower themselves or shut off during peak electricity hours and turn back on during off-peak hours to enjoy the lowest possible costs on heat energy. 

Precise Thermostat

Electric heaters are equipped with electric thermostats which provide a much more accurate reading than traditional mechanical heaters. Electric heater thermostats measure room temperature down to a fraction of a degree with some models maintaining an accuracy rate of 0.2 degrees. 

In comparison, mechanical heating systems are often 3 degrees off your ideal temperature. This causes the heater to waste energy, make the room too cold or cause overheating. Precision thermostats have pinpoint accuracy that prevents any of these problems from ever happening. 

Created Zoned Heating

Smart electric heaters let you set up multi-zone heating, which means you can create custom temperature settings for every single room. Zoned heating allows much better control over energy use so you can become more efficient. 

For example, you might want to keep the kitchen cooler due to cooking heat emission, but you want to keep comfortable warmth in the bedrooms; you can input these settings into the smart electric heater to enjoy better control over your heating. 

Also, it's worth mentioning that you don’t have to program settings on every single heater unit. Instead, you can just input these settings into the app, and all the heaters will carry out their specific instruction.

Comfortable And Convenient Heating

One of the most important benefits of smart heaters is the higher comfort level. Smart heaters make it easy for you to get the optimal level of warmth in your household. Each room has its own heating needs, and a smart heating system can prove very beneficial in this situation. 

For example, maybe you prefer your bedroom to be much warmer than your living room or kitchen. You can create specific warmth settings with your smart heaters. You might also require different levels of heating depending on the time of the day or season. 

You can use the low-intensity background heating while you are away from home, and you can set this level to rise once you are back home. You can create seasonal settings with a smart heater to provide comfortable warmth in your home all year round. 

With smart electric heaters, you can change the temperature in an entire room with one press of a button based on the time of the day or any activity. For example, if you are working in the living room, you can turn the heating down in that area without disturbing the temperature level in other areas of the house. 

You can also set the heating to start up slowly in the morning so that when you wake up, you will experience an optimal level of warmth. With smart heaters, you don’t need to wait long in cold weather to experience comfortable warmth. 

Alternative Modes

Apart from an accurate thermostat, you must also consider heaters that provide advanced programming and alternative heating modes. These features will give you much more control over the heater's energy output. 

Most smart electric heaters come with three different heating modes that can be useful depending on various situations. The anti-frost mode, for example, is great for protecting your pipework. In this mode, the heater switches on when the temperature level drops below a certain point. 

Some heaters also come with economy and comfort modes that allow you to switch between reduced energy consumption heat or heat for comfort and well-being. With these modes, you can get the exact heating you require. 

Aside from multiple modes, you should also look for a smart heating system with a digital programmer. This component ensures that your preferred temperature level automatically comes on at the right time. 

Even more importantly, this feature ensures that your heating switches off at the correct time as well, so you don’t end up wasting energy heating up an empty room. Digital programmers are also a great way to manage heating in rooms you don’t use frequently. 

For example, if you are having guests over for the weekend, you can set the heater to only heat up the guest between Fridays and Sundays to ensure no heat goes to waste. 

With the alternative modes, you can set the heating to comfort to ensure your guests have a welcoming experience. With these controls, you can unlock your heater’s energy saving potential.  

No Harmful Gas Leaks

Smart electric radiators are very safe, especially when compared to other heating solutions such as gas heaters. 

The primary reason why these heaters are much safer is that they use electricity to draw power instead of burning fuel to run. Without any fuel, that is no risk of harmful gas leaks such as carbon monoxide. 

Additionally, many electric heaters are made with materials that do not overheat when operating, so you won’t have to worry about touching the radiator unit when it is turned on. These qualities make electric heating systems a great option for several properties, including households. 

Low Maintenance And Upkeep

Another great benefit of smart electric heaters is that they don’t require a lot of maintenance compared to traditional heating systems. For most electric heaters, all you have to do is wipe down the outside surface to remove any dirt or residue from going inside the unit. 

Unlike central heating systems, there are no hidden costs with electric heaters. With these modern systems, you don’t have to worry about annual safety checks or replacement costs as they have a much longer lifespan. 

Pair Them With Renewable Energy

Even though most of the current electricity generation comes from burning fossil fuels, there is an increasing push towards renewable energy sources.

Electric heaters are already considered an eco-friendly option for heating, however, you can turn this appliance even more energy efficient by pairing it with green energy sources. With renewable energy becoming more accessible in the UK, you can easily power your heating systems with this green energy to cut down carbon emissions and high costs. 

Style And Quality

Most traditional heaters often have a clunky and unpleasant appearance, and some of these models are also manufactured with low-quality plastic materials that can yellow over prolonged use. 

This yellowing happens because the heat temperature heat of the air coming out of the heater degrades the polymers in the plastic rapidly, causing the material to become discoloured and weak. 

To avoid this issue, you should invest in high-quality smart electric heaters that are manufactured with high-grade aluminium panels that do not grade over time and provide effective heating. 

Many smart heating solutions are also designed with a modern aesthetic in mind, making them ideal for many households. These heaters have a streamlined design that does not stick but instead blends in seamlessly with any room interior. 

Quite Operation And Easy Handling

If you want to create a comfortable and relaxing environment in your home, you must look for a heater that is quiet when operating. 

Most economical and traditional heating solutions are unpleasant noise when operating; this noise pollution can be disruptive to a comfortable environment. 

Most smart electric heaters are quiet to operate, and this adds to creating a comfortable environment. Many such heaters are also easier to handle and install, even at a larger size. 

What Are The Different Types Of Electric Heaters?

As mentioned before, electric heaters come in a wide variety of configurations. Each electric heater has its own unique function and benefit. 

Since there are several options to choose from, each consumer can find the ideal heater for them. Here are the different types of electric heaters. 

Electric Radiators

One of the most common types of electrical heating is an electric radiator. These systems use a metal heating element inside the body of the unit to create heat energy and project it into the room. 

These radiators transfer heat to another thermal component, usually an oil for ceramic, to diffuse warmth into your room. The type of heating emitted by electric radiators is similar to central heating systems, except that these radiators are standalone units and do not require a large hardwired installation. 

Most electric radiators create half of their heat through convection while the rest is released as radiant heat which is retained and absorbed into your property. This allows comfortable warmth that lasts well after you have switched off your heater. Due to these qualities, electric radiators are a popular installation in many households. 

Infrared Heaters

Infrared heaters use infrared radiation or radiant heat to warm up your home. The heat-up process in this unit is slightly unconventional compared to traditional heating systems as infrared heat travels through the air until it interacts with a solid surface such as flooring, walls etc. This energy is then absorbed by the surface and converted into heat. 

With this process, infrared heaters warm up a room’s surface instead of its air volume. However, you don’t need to position the heater towards the wall to enjoy its warmth. When the infrared energy is absorbed by the walls it is re-transferred back into the room and absorbed by another surface. 

This process ensures all-around heating that does not leave any cold spots. One drawback of this process is that it takes some time for your room to reach its ideal temperature. However, since these heaters are low-wattage, you won’t have to worry about high energy costs. 

Convection Heaters

Convection heaters use an exposed metal component that heats up to transfer warmth to the surrounding air. This heated air rises to the top of the room and then falls back down as it cools. The cool air gets reheated when it falls to create a continuous loop of warmth. 

These heaters work similarly to fan or panel heaters which means they achieve quick results when it comes to heating. Due to this quality, convection heaters are better suited for on-demand heating rather than long-term heating. In addition, it is possible to lose heat faster through open windows and doors with these systems. 

Ceramic Heaters

If you want a heater for large spaces, consider ceramic heaters. These systems are designed for large interior spaces that require high thermal output. Due to this quality, you can also use ceramic heaters in sheltered outdoor spaces. 

These heaters use a resistive wire coiled underneath the ceramic plate to create infrared energy which produces a much larger emission than a regular infrared heater. The ceramic plate has great thermal properties as it both retains and conducts heat efficiently.

Ceramic heaters work best as a line-of-sight unit so make sure that they are positioned towards areas that require the most heat. You can wall mount these heaters to create even more effective warmth. 

How To Choose The Best Smart Electric Heaters?

Before you purchase a smart electric heater, it is important to consider certain factors, as these will help you narrow down the choice. Here are some important factors to consider when purchasing a smart electric heater. 

Finding The Right Size

One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a smart electric heater is its size. The size and wattage of a heater depending on the room it will be installed in. Other factors that affect the size include the location of the property and the quality of your insulation. 

The size of electric heaters is determined by their wattage, which also indicates the maximum power output. If your required wattage is 1000W, you can heat your room using two 500W radiators. However, if you have to choose between a higher or lower wattage, it is best to go higher. 

Rounding down the wattage of your heater might affect its efficiency, especially if you want to heat up a larger area. Electric radiators with a higher wattage might seem like they consume more energy. However, these radiators will actually help you save money in the long run. 

Such heaters will quickly provide you with comfortable warmth allowing you to cut back on the operational time. Apart from the wattage, you must also consider the physical size of the electric radiator. 

For example, you might require a 1500W radiator for your living; however, it might be better to go with two 750W models to make better use of the space. This will allow the heat to spread more evenly in a larger space. 

Also, consider the depth of the radiator. Some rooms require a slimmer model to about any intrusions, while others might work well with a bulkier option. However, it is important to note that almost all electric radiators are designed with a clean, modern look, so even larger models will seamlessly fit in with any property.  

Safety And Eco-Friendly Credentials

A good electric heater should come with several safety features to ensure safe handling and operation. In addition, you must also look for eco-friendly to make sure you have a sustainable heating unit. Some important safety and sustainable functions to consider include:

Surface Temperature Control

All electric radiators must be fitted with a surface temperature limited to prevent burns. This component should also cut off the power to the electric radiator when its surface temperature exceeds a certain limit. 

This feature is important as it prevents your radiator unit from overheating. This is an important safety feature to consider if you have young children at home.

Enclosed Elements

All electric radiators should come with a fully enclosed heating element. This is important as it prevents the hot element from making contact with the air. If the heating element is out in the open air, you can experience wall blackening. 

You might spend a lot of time and money trying to repair wall damage; therefore, it is best to go with an electric heater with an enclosed element. 

Warranty

Always purchase an electric radiator with a warranty. In case there is a problem with your electric radiator, a warranty acts as a guarantee that the heating unit will be replaced or fixed. The length of the warranty is a good indicator of its quality. 

Another thing to note is that many electrical radiators come with two separate warranties - one for the electronic and one for the body of the unit. 

You get separate warranties as the body of the radiator tends to last longer than the electrical component. Also, separate warranties are a great way for manufacturers to provide long-lasting customer support.

Safety Compliance

Any time you purchase a piece of electrical equipment, it is important to buy one validated by an appropriate safety accreditation. A similar rule applies to electric radiators as well. Always make sure that any electric radiator you wish to purchase comes with a clear validation of safety codes. 

Lot 20 Compliance  

To ensure that your smart electric heater meets its sustainability requirements, look for heaters with a Lot 20 compliance certification. 

Lot 20 compliance refers to legislation that ensures your appliance adheres to sustainability codes. This certification also ensures that your heater uses energy efficiently. Therefore, if you want an energy efficient and environmentally friendly heater, check for this certification. 

What Are The Best Smart Electric Heaters?

Now that you know what electric heating is and how it works with smart controls, you might wonder which is the best smart electric heater. 

You can find several great options on the market, but it can be difficult to know which one of the most reliable. If you want to purchase high-grade radiators that provide efficient heating and convenience, visit Meteor Electrical. 

At Meteor Electrical, you can find a range of high-quality smart electric heaters that emphasise comfort and convenience. The ATC electrical range of smart heaters gives you energy savings without compromising on quality. 

For sustainable heating, this range of heaters comes in accordance with LOT 20 regulations. Here are some of the best smart electric heaters you can find at Meteor. 

1. 500W ATC iLifestyle Smart Heater

The 500W ATC lifestyle smart radiator is an award-winning smart heating solution that is great if you want to start out with smart heating systems. If you are looking for a high-quality heater that is also compatible with smart home assistants, this is the best choice for you. 

This heating unit comes with Wi-Fi control capabilities, so you don’t need any external network to use your radiator. The ATC heater is designed with aluminium fins to guarantee optimal heat emission. 

The 500W heater comes with three modes - eco, comfort, and frost to suit everyone’s temperature control needs. All ATC iLifestyle heaters are Lot 20 compliant making them ideal for sustainable heating options. 

1. 750W ATC iLifestyle Smart Electric Heater

The 750W ATC smart radiator is a great heating unit as it is incredibly versatile. This model is small enough to heat up a moderately sized property; however, you can purchase two of these models to increase the heat output for larger properties. 

The ATC iLifestyle range uses thermic oil to provide excellent heat energy that lasts a long time. You can enjoy comfortable warmth even after shutting down your heater. With the voice control function, you can manage your heating hands-free. 

This heater unit combines wifi connectivity and smart features to give you better control over your heating system without compromising on the heat output. When connected to your smartphone, this smart electric heater allows you to operate your heating remotely from anywhere. 

1. 1000W ATC iLifestyle Smart Electric Heater

If you want a heating solution that effectively heats up a moderately sized home but does not take too much power, you should consider the 1000W ATC iLifestyle smart radiator. 

This heater has all the same capabilities as the 500W and 750W heaters, but its larger wattage makes it perfect for medium to larger-sized households. 

The ATC radiator is a great way to start building home automation in your household. The smart radiator comes with wifi compatibility so that you can access many more controls through your wireless network. Like all ATC heaters, this model is made with aluminium fins that spread heat evenly in your home. 

1. 1800W ATC iLifestyle Smart Electric Heater

If you are looking for smart wifi heaters with a larger heat energy output, the 1800W ATC iLifestyle smart radiator is the product for you. Despite the high wattage, this heater still maintains its energy efficiency. 

Just like other ATC heaters, this product also comes with Wi-Fi controllability so that you can operate your heaters from anywhere. The 1800W heater is also fitted with a large display panel that makes it easy to read any information. 

This heater is highly intelligent as it provides precision control of 0.2 degrees Celsius. As with the other iLifestyle heaters, you can also connect your Alexa home assistant to use voice commands with the 1800W heater. 

Final Takeaway

Smart electric heaters are the modern way of heating your home. Due to their numerous energy saving and eco-friendly qualities, these heaters are a great addition to any household. 

With smart functionality, you can expand the functionality of your heater to consume energy more efficiently. Make sure to understand your heating needs before purchasing your ideal smart electric heating.