If you’re looking to purchase new heating appliances to keep your home warm in the colder months, convector heaters could be an ideal choice. Available in many different sizes and easy to use, they can supply additional heating to a room including those without a working radiator. They also make ideal backup radiators if any installed radiators stop working and you are waiting for these to be fixed.
To find out more about electric convector heaters, including what they are and if they are an expensive option to heat your home, below you will find some helpful information before looking to purchase one. If you already have electric heaters that have stopped working and you are not sure why, you’ll also find details on common reasons why your heater may have stopped working and what you can do when short on funds to repair or replace. At QuidMarket, we can provide small loans as a direct lender that may help cover an unexpected cost like this.
What Are Electric Heaters?
Electric heaters are devices that convert electric current into heat and warm up your home. They come in different sizes and can be used in any room around your house. Going for an electric heater is a durable, long-lasting option, ideal for homes in the UK. Inside an electric heater, the heating element is an electrical resistor and works on a Joule heating basis, an electric current that passes through a resistor that converts electrical energy into heat energy.
A convector heater uses an exposed wire element to heat the surrounding air. They do not contain any moving parts, so to distribute heat effectively, they do rely on air to naturally rise and fall. This is different when compared to fan heaters that will blow the heated air in the desired direction. There are also infrared heaters that emit heat directly onto surfaces instead. These are the most common electric heaters, and all work by plugging into a wall socket to draw electricity to power them. They are very simple to use and can heat up quicker than traditional radiators, ideal when you need a quick burst of heat.
Are Convector Heaters Expensive?
When it comes to investing in heating for your home, you can find many different types of radiators and heating, but running costs should always be considered. Many factors can contribute to how expensive electric heaters are when compared to regular radiators, including room size, insulation, and how warm you like your home to be. In general, electric heaters can be more expensive to run than gas central heating if it is your main source of heating. Approximately 7% of households across England, 5% in Wales and 11% in Scotland heat their homes using electricity. It can be more common in flats, rented accommodation, and those homes without gas.
As well as the running costs, it can be expensive if your convector heater breaks in the middle of winter and you need to replace it immediately. You may want to consider some help with the costs, especially if you are low on cash. If the radiator fault came out of the blue and you are low on money until you are next paid, a short term loan might be a helpful option, especially if you do not have any emergency savings to help. At QuidMarket, we have helped many people cover unexpected repairs quickly in this way, providing financial help when there are no other options.
Reasons Electric Heaters Break
One of the most common reasons for an electric heater breaking is the fuse blowing or there is damage to the mains lead Electric heaters when looked after can usually last over 10 years, but in some instances, they may break before or become faulty before then. Before looking at why your electric heater has stopped working, you should ensure it is turned off and unplugged from the mains supply first. If you realise it is broken and need to fix or replace it urgently, you can find a same day loan to help pay for this, then choose affordable repayments for up to 6 months. This should only be as a last option if you cannot repair or replace the radiator with savings or wait until your next payday.
What Type of Electric Heaters Work Well in The Home?
Investing in electric heaters for your home can be a game-changer, especially in rooms such as the bathroom and the kitchen. Some brands have electric towel rails that function as a luxury way to heat clothes before or after getting them wet. It can be relaxing to get out of the bath or shower with a warm towel, so this type of heater can be an ideal choice, especially during colder months.
Electric convector radiators are not ideal for bathrooms or anywhere that has a lot of moisture, and they should also not be covered with items such as clothing or towels as this may cause the element to overheat. If needing electric heaters for bathrooms, always ensure that they are suitable for this room first.
Convector Heaters
A convection heater is a heater using convection currents to create heat and circulate warmth in the surrounding air. The warm air created by the convector heater will circulate throughout the room and keep you toasty. There is a range of different types of convector heaters available to buy online and depending on the size of your home and the heating requirements you need, there will be an option for you.
All convector radiators have convection fins which are surfaces to help increase heat transfer. Some have 1 or 2, whilst more powerful ones have 3 convection fins. You should make sure you know exactly what heating output you want for your home before investing in a radiator, as you may not need as powerful a radiator for a smaller room and vice versa.
Why Is My Electric Radiator Not Working?
If your convection heater or electric heater isn’t working, you’ll want to check the mains supply lead first. Ensure this is unplugged and turned off and check for any damage or obvious signs of failure. Make sure you check the thermostat too if you have an electric heater with a thermostat control. If the thermostat is the cause of the problem, these can be easily replaced as long as the parts for your electric radiator are still available.
Check the manual if you still have this and you will be able to see which parts can be replaced. The heating element can also fail, but most commonly it will be either the mains lead or thermostat.
How to Replace an Electric Heater
If you are looking to install a convector heater that is wall-mounted and replace an existing radiator, you will need to ensure you know how to do this safely. Many electric radiators and heaters are free-standing, meaning no installation necessary. However, some can be wall-mounted and come with brackets and fixings included. If you are unsure about installing yourself, you can always choose professional fitting services.
- If replacing a radiator connected to your central heating system, you’ll need to make sure you have drained this first and have set your heating to ‘off’ before you remove and start to install your new radiator. An existing electric radiator can just be turned off, unplugged, and removed.
- To ensure that your new radiator sits perfectly and exactly where you want it, mark the centre of your radiator on the wall to indicate exactly where you would like it to be mounted.
- After you’ve marked your centre line, now it’s time to work out your preferred height. Mark a line underneath your new radiator to show how far you’d like it to sit off the floor.
- Check the distance between your wall bracket and the back of the radiator and make a note of this by marking it on your wall.
- For the last measurement, check the distance between your top radiator bracket and the bottom bracket.
- Now, all that’s left to do is attach the radiator to the wall and turn it on.
Electric Radiator & Convector Heaters Benefits
When it comes to deciding on the best radiator for you, convector heaters and electric radiators, in general, have many perks. These include:
- Providing the maximum amount of warmth possible
- 100% efficiency compared to other radiators
- Accurate temperature control
- An easy installation processes
- No risk of carbon monoxide risks
- A range of stylish designs and colours
Convector radiators not only look good but do their job as efficiently as possible. Electric convector heaters are highly recommended for a range of homes and there are a range of options for an electric heater with a thermostat to help you control the heat.
If you are struggling to make ends meet but you need a new radiator as soon as possible, choosing fast loans may help spread the cost of the expense. If you have any questions, please contact us at QuidMarket and we’ll be happy to answer your query.
To start an application when you need emergency funds, please click apply now for a quick decision.