Very few budget heaters can compete with the rapid and effective heating provided by electric panel heaters, and it’s all down to the way they heat. Unlike other heaters, they purely use convection to create an effective, circulating current of heated air. They offer heat that you can feel immediately, completely avoiding the inconvenience of having to repeatedly check the surface of the heater to see if it’s warming up or not. Their responsive, quick heat makes them popular choices in rooms that need occasional top-up heat at short notice.
Panel heaters combine the convenience of a permanent heating solution with the brisk heat provided by a portable fan heater. This blend of qualities allows them to be used in a variety of home applications and they’re particularly useful for spaces that need a heating solution to be installed quickly. Part of their appeal is their ‘cheap and cheerful’ nature of being low cost on initial purchase and exceptionally straightforward to use.
They’re designed to function as a heating method for rooms that are used infrequently, or as a secondary source to boost ambient heat levels. The reason for this is that convected heat is easily dissipated and heaters that create heat solely through this method are incredibly inefficient. Just think of how many times you leave and re-enter the main rooms in your home – so much heat is lost through the opening and closing of doors that a convection-based heater would struggle to keep up. Radiators are the primary heat source for many areas in the home because they’re better equipped to deal with this heat loss. They provide a source of convected and radiant heat, the latter of which isn’t lost through the movement of air from one area to another so more heat is retained overall. The higher levels of heat loss associated with panel heaters means that they also cost more to run and is another reason they’re not suited to providing primary heat throughout the home.
This isn’t to say that panel heaters don’t have their place! Any room that sees infrequent use can stand to gain from their use – hotel suites where guests are usually gone for the day, spare rooms you keep free in the house for when you have visitors, or even home offices that only get used every now and then. They’re also fantastic for situations where you need heat instantly. You might be taking an exercise class in a chilly civic centre, or need quick warmth in an oft-used meeting room that sees people come and go repeatedly. When you need swift heat on the double, panel heaters are one of the best choices you can make.
Panel heaters are usually exceptionally slimline and lightweight due to their simple design but they do need a little upkeep. When air comes into contact with the exposed heating elements, it also brings with it dust and other tiny debris which can burn and can create wall-blackening if not kept in check. It’s not a particularly big issue so long as you keep your panel heaters clean, and with appropriate use, your panel heater can provide you with convenient warmth without issue. If you’re interested in the range of panel heaters that we provide at Heatingpoint, take a look our products below to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Haverland Lodel – smart, slimline heating
The Haverland Lodel is our most versatile panel heater as it can have a wall-mounted or freestanding fitting using either the brackets or feet provided with purchase. It’s our slimmest panel heater at an extremely lean 5.5cm and sports a sleek, sophisticated housing that will make it a welcome addition to any interior décor style.
The Lodel is one of the few panel heaters on the market that offers a level of heating control on par with many modern electric radiators. Its advanced features include a 24/7 digital programmer which allows you to set heating levels for every hour of the day, seven days a week. This can be invaluable if you know that you’re going to need your heat to come on at only certain times of the day and can help to curb your energy usage. Use the control panel on the heater itself to programme your heating schedule, or forgo the inconvenience of getting up at all by using the remote control which comes included. The easy-to-use remote control makes programming the Lodel particularly convenient for those with limited mobility who may find it difficult to crouch in front of the heater to adjust the settings.
A highly accurate digital thermostat is built into the Lodel to ensure that it doesn’t waste any additional energy by overheating the room and includes a thermal safety limiter for extra peace of mind. The Lodel is available in three sizes and pricing starts from £149.99.
Elnur PHMT Panel Heater – low cost, robust heaters
Elnur’s range of panel heaters have a more traditional appearance with a greater emphasis on functionality and simplicity. PHMT heaters are designed with permanent installation in mind and a qualified electrician will be able to hard-wire them to the wall without any fuss. A DIY fitting is possible if you’d rather not call out a professional but will require the separate purchase of a plug which does not come included as standard.
The PHMT range is designed to be a low-cost, no frills heating solution with straightforward and intuitive controls. The analogue timer function provided by the PHMT provides simple on/off heating for every hour of the day and will repeat daily until adjusted by the user. Temperatures can be effortlessly maintained with the turn-dial thermostat on the heater body, which will ensure that the room is kept at the desired heat levels throughout the day. Additional safety features include a thermal safety cut out and frost protection mode.
Our range of Elnur PHMT panel heaters come in four sizes and start from just £89.99.
Stiebel Eltron CNS Panel Heaters – modern affordable heaters
Our Stiebel Eltron CNS series of panel heaters are similarly affordable but have a more contemporary appearance and flatter profile compared to the Elnur PHMT. One of the main differences of this range is that the venting is built into the front of the housing rather than the top which helps to discourage dust from settling on the grilles. CNS panel heaters don’t come with a plug included as they’re intended for a hard-wired finish but there’s nothing to stop you from fitting your own if you prefer to go down the DIY route.
Stiebel Eltron are an established heating brand based in Germany and their products have a global reputation for quality. The CNS range includes basic models of panel heater that provide solely on-demand heating, as well as models that come with an analogue timer. Depending on your needs, you could save money by purchasing a CNS heater that provides just the essentials, or you could spend a little more to get a heater with greater control options. The 24-hour analogue timer allows you to enjoy convenient heating throughout the day by limiting the heater to only come on at times when you know you’ll need it.
We offer two sizes of CNS panel heaters with basic functionality and three sizes with analogue timers. Our lowest priced Stiebel Eltron panel heater is priced at £79.99.
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Electric panel heaters make great additions to the home and their use can complement your existing heating system whether gas or electric. We provide extensive information on individual product pages or you can also take a look at our comprehensive panel heaters buying guide if you need further advice. If you’d like to speak to an expert, give Heatingpoint a call on 0330 880 7008 and our friendly sales team will be able to guide you through our range of panel heaters to find the product right for you. We can even create an entirely free, no obligation quote for your consideration.