Staying warm during the cold winter months is a top priority for most homeowners. With energy costs continually rising, finding an efficient, affordable home heating solution is more important than ever. Two popular options for supplemental heating are oil filled radiator heaters and electric radiator heaters. While both can help take the chill out of a cold room without running your whole-house heating system, there are key differences between the two worth understanding before making a purchase.
In this article, we will compare and contrast oil filled and electric radiator heaters to help you determine which is the best home heating option for your needs and budget. We will look at how they work, their heating efficiency and capacity, energy use and operating costs, safety features, and other important factors like noise level and portability.
Whether you want to heat a small room or a large open concept space, need something energy efficient and budget-friendly, or have small children and pets to consider, understanding these two heater types will ensure you choose the right one to keep you warm this winter. Let’s dive in and decide whether an oil filled or electric radiator heater is the winner for your home heating needs.
What is an Oil filled Radiator?
An oil filled radiator is a portable electric heater that uses heated oil to warm spaces. Inside the radiator is a heat conductor made of a combination of metal fins or tubes filled with a special type of thermal fluid or oil. When plugged in and powered on, the electric current heats up the heat conductor. The warmth is then transferred to the surrounding oil, which is circulated through the radiator via natural convection, releasing the heat into the room. This cycle repeats continuously while the radiator is on, warming up the space.
Advantages of Oil filled Radiators
One of the biggest advantages of oil filled radiators is their ability to retain heat even after being powered off. The oil absorbs the warmth from the heat conductor when turned on and radiates it slowly over time, providing gradual cooling compared to electric fan heaters. This also translates to lower electricity bills since you don’t have to keep running nonstop to feel warm.
In addition, oil filled radiators require no internal fans to operate quietly with almost no noise output besides subtle gurgling sounds from the oil flowing inside. This makes them well-suited for bedrooms or study nooks where excessive fan noise would be disruptive. Their compact, lightweight, and portable design with built-in wheels and handles also allows you to easily move them between rooms as needed.
Disadvantages of Oil filled Radiators
On the downside, oil filled radiators take longer to initially heat up a space compared to other instant-heat options like ceramic or fan-forced electric heaters. The oil itself also makes these units bulkier and heavies than other portable heaters on average.
There are also some safety concerns to consider if not used carefully. The exterior can get hot to the touch while running for extended periods, posing a burn risk, especially around kids and pets. The oil also makes them prone to cracking and leaks over time if dropped or damaged, creating slip and fall hazards. As with any portable electric heater, it's vital to check for recalls, only use on flat surfaces away from flammables, and avoid overloading the electrical circuit you have plugged into.
What is an Electric Radiator Heater
Electric radiator heaters consist of tightly packed electric heating elements encased in a metal shell with openings to allow for fan-forced airflow. Similar to a car radiator, it features hollow pipes or fins, but instead of flowing coolant or oil, the components create heat directly from electricity. When turned on, the current passes through the resistive heating element which warms up quickly. A fan then blows air across the radiator to transfer the warmth into the room.
Advantages of Electric Radiator Heaters
The key advantage of electric radiator models is their ability to heat up a space rapidly once powered on, usually within seconds. This instant heat is ideal for quickly combatting a sudden cold snap or warming up a space when needed, without the gradual warm-up time of oil filled radiators.
Electric radiator heaters are also lighter and more compact without heavy oils or components. Some have wall-mount options for space-saving out-of-the-way heating. There are also various styles and models on the market with adjustable thermostats, timers, multiple settings, and other handy features.
Disadvantages of Electric Radiator Heaters
The main downside of electric radiators is the operating noise from their internal fans constantly pushing heat out into the room. This humming or whirring fan sound may be disruptive in quiet environments. The blast of heat also dissipates shortly after turning the unit off rather than retaining residual warmth.
Without any thermal mass or oils which hold heat, rooms can also cool down quickly once an electric radiator is powered off. Their super-dry electric heat may aggravate respiratory issues and dry out indoor air more noticeably than other heater types which poses issues for some users. Safety is also a concern if left running unattended without auto shut-off functionality.
Cost of Running Oil filled Radiators vs Electric Radiator Heaters
Energy Consumption Comparison
Are oil filled radiators cheap to run? When evaluating energy use, oil filled radiators and electric models have notable differences. Oil filled radiators use around 800-1,500 watts on commonly available models, operating at higher wattages to heat the oil reservoir. Electric models can range widely from 500 watts for small units to 2,500+ watts for larger room heaters.
Running times also impact overall consumption, with oil units requiring more continuous runtime. Thermostat settings play a role too - a lower thermostat temp means shorter cycles for electric models. Ultimately room size dictates the wattage capacity needed for adequate heating. Based on this, you can get a basic idea about the cost of running a oil filled heater.
Cost Analysis in the UK Context
How much do oil filled radiators cost to run? Based on averages, 1 kWh of electricity costs around 34p in the UK. This means running a 1,000W oil filled radiator for 8 hours would cost around £2.72 daily, or £16.32 weekly, and £81.60 monthly. Dropping to a 750W model would cost £2.04 daily, £12.24 weekly, and £61.20 monthly.
A basic 1,500W electric radiator at the same runtimes costs £4.08 daily, £24.48 weekly, and £122.40 monthly - over 50% more. Better insulation and draught proofing can help offset costs regardless of heater type.
Long-Term Cost Implications
Over their lifespan, oil filled radiators tend to be durable with little maintenance beyond exterior cleaning and occasional oil top-ups. This gives them long-term value, with average lifespans over 10 years barring leaks or damage. Electric models have shorter typical lifespans around 3-5 years before heating elements or motors wear down.
However, upgrading to more advanced energy-efficient models like smart WiFi heaters or those with programmable timers can cut electric costs by up to 40%, making them cost-competitive long-term. Weighing upfront costs against efficiency savings is worthwhile.
Wall-Mounted Options: Electric Radiators vs Oil filled Radiators
Overview of Wall-Mounted Electric Radiators
Wall-mounted electric radiator heaters are slimline panels designed for vertical installation on any wall with an electrical outlet nearby. They contain the same electric heating element and fan components as freestanding models but in an ultra-thin profile—most are less than 4 inches deep.
Installation of electric radiators wall mounted is straightforward with included bracket kits. Just secure the wall studs and plug into a grounded outlet. Their space-saving flat design gets heaters off the floor and out of the way.
Overview of Wall-Mounted Oil filled Radiators
Wall-mounted oil filled radiator options also exist but are less common. They are thicker and heavier than electric wall mounts, ranging from 6-12 inches in depth to accommodate oil reservoirs.
Professional hardwiring is typically required rather than standard plugs for a wall mounted electric radiator. Heat output flows gently out the panel’s broad front surface, allowing placement above furniture or in corner areas without obstructing radiant heat distribution. Smaller rooms benefit most from this condensed directional heating.
Pros and Cons of Wall-Mounted Heaters
Aesthetically, wall mounts keep rooms tidy by getting heaters off the floor. Wall mounted oil filled radiators offer very quiet operation, while certain electric wall mounts have fan adjustments to minimize noise. However, electric models provide more instant spot heating, better for sporadic use in high-traffic rooms or transitional spaces that only need occasional heat.
Oil filled wall heaters maintain more stable ambient warmth ideal for bedrooms, offices, and living areas used frequently during colder months for primary heating needs. Consider room purpose, layout, size and heating needs when weighing up wall-mounted heater options.
Safety Considerations
Safety Features of Oil filled Radiators
Most quality oil filled radiator heater options have overheat protection to automatically power off before overheating internally. Tip switches also shut them down if accidentally knocked over to prevent burns. However, the exterior surface can still reach temperatures over 100°F that may pose contact risks for kids and pets. Always check the surface temp before moving.
Safety Features of Electric Radiator Heaters
Reputable electric heaters integrate auto shut-off to power down without user input after a certain number of hours for added security. Many also have thermal cut-out tech to prevent overheating issues from stalled fan motors. However, exposed heating elements and fans pose increased fire risks and burns if flammable items are too close.
General Safety Tips
Properly situate any radiator heater on a flat, nonflammable surface at least 3 feet from curtains, furniture, bedding and away from high traffic zones where it might get knocked over. Read manufacturer guidance to understand max runtimes and output levels before using. Also inspect frequently for damage issues like oil leaks, melted plugs, worn parts or fans clogged with dust and debris that may compromise safety. Following basic precautions keeps these handy heating devices operating safely all winter long.
Conclusion
When choosing between an oil filled or electric radiator heater for supplemental home heating this winter, there are a few key considerations covered in this article to review before deciding what’s best for your needs:
Heating ability - Electric heaters offer faster heat-up times to blast warmth on demand into a space. oil filled electric radiator options take longer initially but provide steadier ambient heat from their thermal reservoir while also cooling down slowly after being turned off. Consider when and how long you generally need the heat running.
Cost - Upfront costs tend to run cheaper for basic electric models, but oil filled heaters can have lower operational expenses overall for continuous heating, lasting over a decade. Programmable and smart electric heaters offer advanced energy saving modes to offset higher running costs.
Convenience - Compact and lightweight electric models are easier to move between rooms. But oil filled radiators don’t have exposed hot elements or fans, operate very quietly, and the exterior stays cooler, all conveniences families with kids/pets may prefer.
Ultimately, think about which heating strengths suit your lifestyle and home layout based on the info provided here. Maybe electric works best for a seldom-used space, but oil is ideal for all-day gentle warmth in occupied rooms. Combining heater types is also an option! And don’t forget enhanced safety and energy-saving features are worth investing in.
Visit Elegant Showers Online Shop for the finest electric and oil filled radiators in the UK. And for further guidance on heaters tailored to your unique needs, consult with professional heating specialists. Stay cozy this winter!
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