Finding the ideal heating solution can make a world of difference. But with so many choices, knowing which system works best for you is difficult. Since heating takes up a lot of energy, you must invest in an efficient system. 

Electrical heating solutions provide high-quality heating that doesn’t drive up your energy costs. They’re also a much more sustainable option compared to other systems. 

For a better comparison, let’s look at the pros and cons of electrical heating vs other heating solutions. 

Why Is Efficient Heating Important?

Energy efficient heating solutions use their power best without compromising the final heat output. With heaters like these, you can comfortably bask in excellent heating without worrying about energy bills. 

Another reason why you should switch to energy efficient heating is sustainability. With rising concerns about climate change, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. 

A great way to make change is by swapping old appliances with sustainable ones. Modern heaters significantly reduce waste and carbon emissions. You can also pair them with renewable energy to become more sustainable. 

With all these reasons in mind, switching to electrical heating is crucial. 

What Are The Different Types Of Heating Solutions?

Now that you know how important energy efficiency is, let’s look at all the different types of heating solutions and see how well they perform. 

Electrical Heating

Electric radiators represent the next generation of heating systems, offering better functionality and efficient energy use. This makes them more cost-effective compared to other heating systems. 

If you don’t want a large heater, you can also find smaller portable options that are easy to install and use. This versatility makes electric heaters one of the most popular heating solutions. 

These appliances are also eco-friendly compared to traditional systems, including central heating. Since they rely on electricity instead of hot water, little energy goes to waste. 

Each electric heater is built with a precision digital thermostat and several built-in power saving features that help you practice energy conservation. 

Additionally, you don’t have to worry about these units ruining the design aesthetic of your home as they come in various modern and sleek styles. These heaters are also quick and easy to install, so you can start using them in no time. 

Oil Filled Electrical Radiators

When it comes to choosing the best electrical heating system, nothing can beat oil filled radiators. These appliances use a thermic oil to produce heat energy. 

The oil component is vital because it has excellent retention properties. This means you can enjoy comfortable warmth even when the system is switched off. 

Dry Element Electric Heat

Apart from oil filled, you can also find dry element electrical heaters. The heating process works a little differently for these appliances. 

Dry element heaters come with a wire coil that acts as the main heat emitter. This coil produces heat that reaches your room and creates a comfortable environment. 

The only limitation of this heater is that the retention is less powerful than the oil filled version. 

Gas-powered Heating Solutions

Apart from electrical heating, gas-powered systems are also standard in many households. 

In fact, you might be more familiar with a gas system than an electrical heater. These come in two common configurations. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Gas Central Or Forced Air Heating System

This system uses a natural gas burner to create warmth. Gas central heating moves cool air into a  heat exchanger. A fan or blower then pushes the warm air through the heater’s duct system. 

One of the biggest concerns about this heating system is carbon emissions. Without proper ventilation, consumers have a high risk of carbon poisoning in their homes. The best way to avoid this hazard is by creating vents or chimney liners to redirect the emissions. 

Boiler Or Gas Water Heating Systems

Some gas heaters also use a boiler or water heating system to provide warmth to a building. The gas enters the boiler through two different processes: through an LPG bottle or by being connected to the mains. 

The hot water the gas boiler provides is pushed through the central heating system through the plumbing and pipes. 

Depending on the boiler type, the water will either flow directly through or be transferred and stored in a separate cylinder or water tank. Additionally, when the water passes through the heater, it loses some heat. But once the water reaches the boiler, the temperature is restored. 

As with electric heaters, gas heating systems also have a thermostat which helps the temperature stay consistent; however, these thermostats are often less accurate than the electric units. 

Radiant Heating Sytems

Unlike gas boilers or electric radiators, radiant heating systems are installed underneath your flooring. This heating system warms up the room from the ground up. 

Standard above-ground heating systems only warm up the air in the general vicinity of the heater; however, underfloor radiant heating produces radiant heat that evenly spreads throughout the room. 

The best way to create an efficient underfloor heating system is by installing electric underfloor heating. Electric underfloor heating is placed as an ultra-thin heating wire installed on the floor level of your home. 

When the heating is turned on, the wire heats up, which provides radiant warmth from the floor. The heating cable is available in two different formats - mat and foil.

Radiant floor heaters require the installation of electric heating coils or water heated tubing under your home’s floor. The component type depends on the radiant heating system you use. 

When your system operates, the radiant heat is transmitted through a series of electromagnetic waves. In this system, the heat from the floor warms up everything it touches. This heat is then spread throughout the room from the ground up. 

Comparing The Pros and Cons of Electrical Heating vs Other Heating Systems

Now that you know what the different types of heaters are, it’s important to evaluate their pros and cons. 

In general, electrical heating performs far better than any other heating system. Still, let’s compare and contrast the heating systems.

Pros Of Electrical Heating

• Convection heat provides more comfortable heating
• Easier and faster to install compared to other heaters
• Less maintenance than other heaters
• No boiler or pipework required
• Portability
• No heat leaking

Cons Of Electrical Heating

• Electricity can become expensive
• May have no heating in case of a power cut

Pros of Gas Heating 

• In some boiler systems, you get faster heating
• It can be used with an air conditioner for more versatility
• Less starting costs

Cons of Gas Heating

• The danger of harmful gas leaking
• Expensive and time-consuming installation
• More space is needed for pipework
• Shorter lifespan than an electrical heating system  

Pros of Radiant Heating

• Even distribution of heat energy in a room
• Easy-to-run system
• Safer installation

Cons of Radiant Heating

• It might be hard to install in already constructed homes
• Heating often doesn’t last as long as an electrical radiator when switched off
• Will impact floor height
• Expensive Installation

With these points in mind, you can see that electrical heating systems are a much better investment. 

Electrical heating systems provide an excellent heat output that helps you save on energy costs. Since these heaters are standalone units or portable, you have flexibility in installation. 

Even when it comes to their cons, you can find efficiently designed electric heaters to bypass them. 

Oil filled radiators are one such example, as they use electricity far more efficiently than any other system. Electric heaters are generally much safer than gas systems because they reduce the risk of carbon poisoning. 

Even though electricity costs tend to be higher than gas, these heaters make much more efficient and precise use of your energy, unlike gas heating systems. Many modern electric heaters also come with smart capabilities which allow better control over energy consumption. 

Furthermore, many governments are banning gas boilers and heating systems in the upcoming years. In the UK, the housing authority has proposed plans to ban gas boilers in domestic properties starting in 2025. So if you want to avoid changing your heaters at the last minute, you must start investing in electrical heaters.

What Are The Best Electrical Heating Solutions?

With so many options to choose from, it’s difficult to decide on an electrical heater. If you want high-quality heating systems, visit Meteor Electrical. 

At Meteor, we carry the Lifestyle range of oil filled radiators that provide excellent heating with low running costs. 

Here are some of the best heaters we have to offer.  

1. 500W ATC iLifestyle Electrical Heater

The 500W ATC lifestyle electric radiator is an award-winning smart heating solution that is great if you want to start out with smart electrical heating systems. 

If you are looking for a high-quality heater compatible with smart home assistants, this is the best choice. This heating unit has 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 Electric Heater

The 750W ATC electric 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. 

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 electric radiator. 

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

Find Your Electric Heater At Meteor

We curate some of the best electronic products available based on our years-long industry-backed. Our products combine functionality and convenience to give you a high-quality experience. So head on over to Meteor today and find your next best appliance.