Electric Heating
Keeping your house warm can help you stay free of illness during the winter
while ensuring that your pipes and electrical appliances donʼt succumb to the
cold weather. Many households in the UK benefit from central heating, which
can now be controlled from a smartphone thanks to the emergence of smart
heating technologies. However, electric heaters are another popular option for
anyone looking to give their home some additional warmth.
Storage Heaters
One of the most common forms of electric heater, storage heaters charge
overnight, when the cost of electricity tends to be lower, before releasing the ‘stored heatʼ during the day.
A key advantage of storage heaters is their low running costs, which are made possible by the use of cheaper electricity during the evenings or overnight. They are also very easy to install and require little to no maintenance work throughout their lifetime. Because they heat a home during the day, storage heaters can be a good option for anyone who stays at home during the day, such as elderly homeowners and pensioners, as they can take advantage of the cheaper electricity tariffs.
On the other hand, storage heaters arenʼt the most convenient solution for people who work from nine to five during the week and therefore spend the majority of their day away from the house. These people wonʼt benefit from the heat thatʼs generated during the day, effectively making it ‘wasted energyʼ.
Energy-Efficient Alternatives
Since 1 January 2018, manufacturers and suppliers of electric heaters, or “local
space heaters”, that use gas, electricity or liquid fuels have had to comply with a
new piece of EU legislation called Lot 20. A key part of the Energy Efficiency
Directive (EED), the legislation sets a minimum efficiency standard for these
heaters and was introduced to help the EU achieve its carbon reduction targets.
- It affects the following products:
- Storage heaters
- Portable heaters
- Radiant heaters
- Direct acting heaters
- Electric fires
- Gas fires
- Infra-red heaters
- Underfloor heating
- The products that arenʼt affected by Lot 20 are as follows:
Local space heaters that use a vapour compression cycle (heat
pump) - Heaters that are specified for outdoor use only
- Slave heaters
- Sauna stoves
- Towel rails
- Tubular heaters
- Air curtains
- Frost protection heaters
To comply with the new legislation, manufacturers need to incorporate modern
technology into their heating products, which will make them more energy
efficient. This could include such features as open window detection, adaptive
start control, temperature controls with day or week timers, presence detection
and distance control functions.
Itʼs worth bearing in mind that Lot 20 doesnʼt affect heaters that were installed
before 1 January 2018, so if you own an electric heater that doesnʼt comply with
the new legislation, you donʼt have to replace it. However, with a number of
more energy-efficient products now hitting the market, it might be time to
consider an upgrade, especially if youʼre keen to reduce your energy costs.
To ensure your new electric heater is installed professionally and safely, or to get
some expert advice on your heating, give Stroud Electrical Services a call today
on 01453 762567.
