Storage heater vs Panel heater – which is best for you?
So, first off, which is which? A storage heater is full of bricks or ceramics, which are used to store heat, typically collected overnight when electricity is at a cheaper rate. Panel heaters are essentially oil filled radiators that use electricity to produce instant heat but, due to the fact that they are filled with oil, they still retain heat when turned off.
To break it down further
Storage heaters
The real efficiency of storage heaters comes into play when your are on an economy 7 heating plan. This gives you electricity at a much cheaper rate for 7 hours during the night. The storage heater makes use of this by “charging” up during this period. Using electricity to efficiently store heat which is then slowly released during the day.
This can be a great way of heating your house if you are home during the day but can be a waste if you’re not.
Storage Heater Positives
- Slow to lose heat
- Can be Cheaper to run
Storage Heater Negatives
- Slow to heat up
- Less heating control
- Usually more expensive to buy
- Heavier and more work to install
- Can be bulky
Some storage heaters come with internal fans which will give you more control of the temperature but the trade off is that this increases the rate at which you lose your stored heat
Panel Heaters
The real benefit of a Panel heater is that you have heat available when you want it. If they are oil filled panel heaters they will also retain heat even when not in use. They do not store heat as efficiently as storage heaters but are more efficient than standard electrical heaters. In summary, you’ll pay more for your usage but you’ll only pay for heat when you need it.
Panel Heater Positives
- Heat up faster
- Only use electricity when you’re using them
- Better temperature control
- Lighter and easier to install
Panel Heater Negatives
- Loose heat faster
- Can be more expensive to run
Combi Storage and Convector Heater
A storage heaters with a convector built in can give you the best of both worlds. Your heater will store heat during the night at the cheaper rate but if you need a boost during the day it has the ability to supply the extra heat when you need it.
Combi Heater Positives
- Slow to lose heat
- Can be Cheaper to run
- Better temperature control
Combi Heater Negatives
- The convector boost is slightly less efficient than a panel radiator
- Usually more expensive to buy
- Heavier and more work to install
- Can be bulky
Overall Benefits of Electrical Heaters
All of the above heaters have some general benefits over oil or gas boilers. First off, there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a worry for many families. Also, there is no more running out of gas or oil which can be an issue for many people.
So, which is best for you?
Essentially, it is your lifestyle that will determine which works best for you. If you are someone who is home during the day and likely to make use of the heat then a storage heater could well be your best bet. If, on the other hand, you’re not in the house as much, need heat instantly or have a much smaller budget to start with then panel heaters will be your best bet.
At Electrical World we want to sell you what you need as much as what you think you want which is why we’ve written this guide for you.
About Matthew Coalter
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