Panel Heaters Buying Guide

The main difference between panel heaters and electric radiators is that panel heaters heat solely by convection – heating up air as it circulates around the room. Convection is less efficient than radiation because energy is lost through the heat transfer process: radiated heat heats objects directly, while warm convected air can be lost through draughts and opened doors. Because of this, panel heaters cost more to run than electric radiators.

Convection heating can also agitate allergies and may cause wall blackening if used as a permanent heating measure.

Electric radiators, meanwhile, heat with a mix of radiated and convected heat. The hot elements inside the radiator quickly warm the air as it circulates around the room, whilst the heated surface of the radiator pushes out radiated heat, which is absorbed directly by the occupants of the room.

Radiated heat is more efficient than convected heat because it heats directly and is not lost through draughts. However, convection heat often works faster, so this combination is ideal for efficient comfort heating. Radiators cost less to run than panel heaters.

All good electric radiators come with a digital programmer and electronic thermostat. These combine to give you total control over your heating, allowing you to cut your energy usage down to the minimum required.

Traditionally, panel heaters come with more basic controls – with perhaps only a rudimentary timer and an analogue thermostat. But if you’re willing to pay more, today you will find panel heaters available with all the control facilities offered by electric radiators. So your programming requirements needn’t dictate your choice

Both electric radiators and panel heaters are available with very slim designs. Both offer discreet, space-saving heating.

The difference between radiators and panel heaters lies in the way their heating elements are built into the body of the appliance,

Electric radiators have fully enclosed heating elements. These allow the surface of the radiator to radiate heat, and prevent the elements burning the air. However, they are more expensive to manufacture than the unenclosed elements used in panel heaters.

Unenclosed elements only provide convection heat, and can cause wall-blackening if used on a permanent basis. However, the relative cheapness of panel heater elements does mean that panel heaters are available cheaper than electric radiators.

Panel heaters are an ideal budget heating solution for the rooms you use less often – such as guest rooms, conservatories and personal offices. Their controllability makes them as easy to use as radiators, whilst the higher running costs will make less impact than in rooms where the heaters are used regularly.

Panel heaters also make cheap and effective top up heaters for use alongside your primary heating system. For instance, if you have storage heaters, you may want some form of top-up heating to use if the storage heaters lose their charge. Panel heaters are an excellent choice because they work automatically, warm up fast and will control their output to balance the remaining heat of the storage heaters. They are also more efficient than other portable top up heaters, such as fan heaters, so will use a reduced amount of higher rate daytime electricity.

Electric radiators are the best choice for the rooms in your home which need heating regularly. Using panel heaters in these spaces is not economical because the higher running costs will quickly add up to cost you more than the purchase price of radiators.

The beauty of electric heating is the scope it gives you to mix and match. You can create the most economical heating system for your home by picking the products which will work best with your lifestyle. Radiators in the living room, a panel heater in the guest room, underfloor heating in the bathroom – the sky’s the limit!

A thermostat on your panel heater will monitor the room temperature and switch the heater on or off to maintain your desired comfort temperature. This keeps you comfortable whatever the weather and ensures you don’t waste energy over-heating the room.

The most basic form of heating programming, a timer allows you to set your heater to switch off after a set period of time. This provides an easy means of limiting your energy usage, useful if you want a level of heat before you go to sleep or you want to use a room for just a few hours.

At their most advanced, digital programmers give you complete control over your heating. A 24/7 programmer allows you to create a personalised heating schedule with different temperatures for every hour of every day of the week, if needed! Perhaps you only need heat in the living room during the day. Maybe you don’t need to heat your office at the weekend. Perhaps you want your hallway at a lower temperature than your bedroom. Digital programming gives you endless scope to reduce your energy usage to what you really need.

A remote control can make it easier to programme and adjust your panel heaters. You can also make any changes from the comfort of your armchair. Remote controlled panel heaters are very popular with homeowners with reduced mobility.

Panel heaters that do not have any programming controls are usually known as manual panel heaters. These panel heaters are controlled entirely by the homeowner – which can be time consuming and wasteful.

Panel heaters that can be programmed are usually called automatic panel heaters.

Wall mounted panel heaters are easy to install. If they come fitted with a plug, all you need to do is screw them to the wall and plug them into the nearest socket. Most panel heaters are very lightweight so are suitable for fitting on stud walls, if installed appropriately.

Wall mounting is the best choice if you prefer a discreet fitting with no wires showing. You will need to hire an electrician to hardwire the heaters into the wall. Wall mounting is also recommended if you’re fitting in a small room with limited space. You should only wall mount your heaters if you’re sure you won’t want to use them in other locations.

Most electric panel heaters can be fitted free standing, although you may need to purchase a separate pair of feet on which to mount the heater. Free standing panel heaters are a good choice if you have limited space on your walls. As such they’re popular heaters in shops, libraries and conservatories.

Free standing fitting is the best choice if you want to be able to move your heater. If you’re planning to use your panel heater to supplement your winter heating, you will only need it for part of the year. This makes free standing fitting a good choice because you can pack the heater away when the weather gets warm.

If you expect to be moving your panels on a regular basis make sure you choose a lightweight heater that you can easily lift. A free standing panel heater can be useful if you are not able to wall mount appliances in your home. They are particularly useful if you live in rented accommodation, or you want to heat a boat or caravan.

You should first decide whether you want to wall mount your heaters or fit them free standing.

Wall mounting your panel heaters is a quick and easy job that requires none of the mess and expense of installing central heating.

If your panel heaters come fitted with plugs they will be suitable for DIY installation. This is a ten minute job that requires a minimum of DIY knowledge. All you have to do is screw them to the wall and plug them into the nearest socket.

If your heaters do not come with a plug you will need a qualified electrician to hardwire the heaters into the wall. Some homeowners prefer hardwired installation because it provides a tidier fitting with no visible wires.

If you want to install your panel heaters on stud walls you must ensure that all their weight is carried by the joists.

Free standing panel heaters are very easy to assemble. All you have to do is attach the free standing feet to the base of the heater. They should just click into place. Some heaters may require you to purchase the feet separately.

Panel heaters are not recommended for bathrooms because they can’t be used for drying towels, nor can they be used as a place to hang them when not in use. Towel rails often make a more convenient and effective bathroom heating solution for this precise reason. If you do decide to use a panel heater in a bathroom, it must be installed by a professional electrician in a suitable bathroom zone and carry the appropriate IP rating. In practice, most electric panel heaters will be fitted in Zone 2 or 3 and will need an IP rating of at least IPX4. The manufacturer is the last word in bathroom suitability so always adhere to their guidelines and instructions when installing any electrical heater in bathrooms.

Electric panel heaters, like all convection heaters, can cause wall blackening if used on a permanent basis. This is caused when dust particles make contact with the hot elements inside your panel heaters. These particles can burn and leave sooty deposits at the top of your heater.

Wall blackening should not be a problem if you only use your panel heaters as top up heaters or on an occasional basis. Keeping your panel heaters clean with regular dusting can reduce the likelihood of wall blackening. Blackened walls can be scrubbed clean or painted over.

Electric panel heaters cannot produce carbon monoxide so, unlike central heating boilers, they don’t require an annual service.

Manufacturers who want to keep the cost of their panel heaters to a minimum will opt for the designs which are cheapest to produce. These designs tend to be boxy, bulky and less slimline than more expensive designer panel heaters. They may look a little like old-fashioned storage heaters. Budget panel heaters offer excellent value for money, but are seldom the most stylish or the most space-saving choice.

Designer panel heaters offer a much more contemporary design with smooth curves, a slim body and a smart white finish. These panel heaters look very similar to designer electric radiators, making them a good choice if you want to use both heating systems in your home. They are more expensive than budget panel heaters but take up less space and make more attractive permanent features – an important consideration if you’re planning to wall mount your heaters.

If space is at a premium in your home you will want to choose a slimline heater to make the most of your available space. Look out for panel heaters as little as 5.5cm deep. Slimmer heaters tend to be more expensive than boxier budget panel heaters but often sport more attractive designs.

All panel heaters should be fitted with some form of thermal safety cut off which will cut power to the heater if the temperature exceeds the safety limit. This prevents your panel heaters overheating in the event of a malfunction.

Always check that your chosen panel heaters carry the appropriate safety accreditation certificates. As a minimum, all electric heaters should carry the CE mark. This is the manufacturer’s declaration that the heaters meet the minimum safety standards set by the European Council. If possible, choose a heater which carries the BEAB mark. The BEAB mark indicates that the heaters have been manufactured using approved methods in an inspected factory and have been tested by expert third-party authorities.

One disadvantage of panel heaters, or any other form of heating which heats solely by convection, is that the circulation of warm air around the room can disturb and distribute dust. This can agitate dust allergies and may be a trigger for people with asthma. If members of your family suffer from allergies you should restrict panel heaters to rooms they do not often visit, or consider another form of heating.

Never purchase an electric panel heater without a warranty. A warranty represents the manufacturer’s promise to fix or replace your heater if it malfunctions within a set period after purchase. The length of the warranty offered is a good measure of the heater’s quality. Most panel heaters will come with a warranty of at least 2 years. Because panel heaters are not designed for constant use, the length of warranty offered on your panel heaters may be shorter than for electric radiators with equivalent wattages.

Electric panel heaters produce zero carbon emissions. Used with green electricity, electric heating offers one of the few truly carbon free heating systems on the market. However, mains electricity still relies in large part upon fossil fuel burning power stations – so if you’re running your panel heaters off the mains, your heating won’t be truly carbon free.

Minimising your energy usage is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, so the most energy efficient heating solutions are often the most eco-friendly. Whilst panel heaters are more efficient than fan heaters and other basic top-up heaters, they are not the most efficient choice for whole home heating. Gas central heating, electric radiators, infrared panels and underfloor heating are all more efficient heating solutions which would make better eco-friendly choices for your home.

Heating manufacturers are increasingly using recycled materials in the construction of a wide range of heating products. To make the most sustainable choice for your home look for panel heaters manufactured from recycled steel or aluminium.

Panel heaters can be an economical choice for your conservatory, especially if you only use the room on an occasional basis. Conservatories can be difficult spaces to heat because they have such a high volume of glass: heat is lost much faster from conservatories than from rooms with standard insulation. Because of this, you may want to purchase a panel heater designed for a larger room area than the area of your conservatory.

Panel heaters are not the best choice for bathrooms because they’re not suitable for drying damp towels. Draping a wet towel over a panel heater can cause a serious hazard because these heaters have exposed elements and venting to allow warm air to circulate. Accidentally covering the venting or the thermostat can cause the appliance to overheat so it’s simply not worth taking the risk when a towel rail can serve the same function without issue.

If you do decide to use a panel heater in a bathroom, always ensure they carry the appropriate IP rating for the bathroom zone where they will be installed. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding a heater’s suitability for bathrooms. Electric heaters for bathroom use must be installed by a qualified electrician.

Whilst panel heaters can make an economical choice in cloakrooms or small washrooms which you use infrequently, they may not be effective in busier bathrooms that are in constant use. If your bathroom has an extractor fan you will find that hot air is continually drawn out of the bathroom and into the street – requiring your panel heater to operate constantly to top up the heat. This is inefficient and ineffective.

Hallways can be difficult spaces to heat. Hot air rises, which means the heat your panel heaters produce will naturally collect at the top of the stairs. The best way to avoid this problem is to purchase two panel heaters and install one at the top and one at the bottom of the stairs. This is the best way to create an even spread of heat across this multi-storey space.

Panel heaters may not be the most efficient choice for your hallway. Unless you have a separate porch, you will lose warm air into the street whenever you open your front door – requiring your heaters to work hard to top up the heat.