Heaters buying guide

Last updated: March 7, 2024

There's truly nothing more lovely than sitting on the couch after a long day at work, and enjoying the warmth of your home. However, it's going to be uncomfortable if you can't keep warm, as you'll need kettles, blankets and jumpers. This is where having the highest quality, effective heating is essential for you. Finding the perfect heater for your home has never been easier. Our range of heaters includes a selection for every room of the house, so you can stay warm whatever you’re doing. Featuring top quality products from brands such as Dimplex, Devola & Rointe. These products are extremely energy efficient, allowing you to heat your home for less than you may think.

Fan heaters

Fan heaters pass air through a heated element, and then disperse the warmed air out into the room using its built-in fan.

There are two types available:

Fan heaters which use a metal element to generate heat.
Ceramic heaters which use a ceramic element to convert the energy into heat quicker and more efficiently than the metal version. It can also output the same level of heat at a lower power rating, making it more cost efficient.

Fan heaters are ideal if you want to heat a specific area of your home quickly. They are also ideal for heating up smaller spaces, as they are compact in size. Fan heaters are most commonly used in bathrooms, garages and attics.

Advantages of fan heaters

Low price heating, making them popular for homes
Portable, and easy to lift and carry between different rooms in your home
Fan heaters have significant heating power, as they work quickly to heat up the space they are placed in
The design of fan heaters are becoming increasingly modern and energy efficient to reduce their carbon footprint

Dis-advantages of fan heaters

They are small products which consume a lot of electric power in a short heating time
They can be noisy products, as they contain an electric fan which will make noise when it is switched on
Once they are switched off, the space will cool down rapidly as there will no longer be hot air being outputted by the heater

Convector heaters

Convector heaters work by applying the principle of convection. Heat is generated in an electric element, and then the warmed air transfers out of the heater and moves outwards into the room. The more powerful the heater, the wider the area of circulation of the warmed air. They warm up quickly and are quite silent when working. Most convector heaters are freestanding, but they can be mounted to the wall if you are using them long-term. They are lightweight and easy to move around in your house. There are models available which have thermostatic control to select your preferred heat setting and timers to set for certain times of the day.

Advantages of convector heaters

Convector heaters will warm a room evenly as the air rises and falls equally within the space
They can be mounted in unique spaces such as on the wall, at the base of stairways, offering different ways to heat your room
Convector heaters are fairly silent, as they are not dependent on ductwork to provide heat

Dis-advantages of convector heaters

Convector heaters are not effective for heating large spaces, as they disperse the air in a room naturally
As the air doesn't circulate through a filter, they can result in excessive accumulation of dust and allergens

Panel heaters

A panel heater is a type of electric heater which can be mounted to the wall. We sell a range of panel heaters including WIFI enabled remote controlled wall mounted panel heaters, if you're after a trendy looking panel heater. You can place them anywhere you want, as long as you have 30cm (1 foot) clearance at the top and bottom to allow for convection current and a power socket. They work by creating a Convection current, which pushes warm air to the ceiling. This forces the cool air down into the heater. Once you switch on the Panel Heater, you instantly feel a warm current of air moving through the room.

When the cold creeps in, it’s important to keep your home warm – especially if you find yourself putting on extra layers or shivering in bed. It’s recommended to keep your home between 18 and 22°C depending on preference, but this can impact your monthly bills. Panel heaters are a cost-effective solution to heat your home without hitting your wallet.

Why choose a panel heater?

If you’re looking for quick heat without the hassle, panel heaters are perfect. You can easily heat a room without cranking up the central heating or lighting a fire. It is important to keep your home warm as cold homes have been linked to increased blood pressure, asthma symptoms and poor mental health. Cold temperatures within the home can also create damp which, if left for a long time, can lead to toxic mould.

Panel heaters can either be portable or wall mounted to fit your needs. Their streamlined design means they take up very little space, and some models come with smart functions like open window detection, 24 hour timer, double overheat protection, and more.

How does a panel heater work?

Panel heaters work using convection. This means that they pull cold air into the panel, running it over the heating coil. This hot air is then pumped out of the heater towards to ceiling. This process then causes a circulation of air in the room, encouraging the cold air into the heater to be heated and so on.

Pros and Cons of a panel heaters

Pros:

Quiet to operate
Cost and energy efficient
Various size and shape options to suit your needs
Portable or wall mounted
Streamlined design
Smart options
Carbon neutral when used with green electricity

Cons:

Heat 1 room at a time
Convection heaters can be less efficient than radiation heaters
Panel heaters are less efficient than electric radiators as they use convection as opposed to radiation
They are not suitable for constant use as dust particles on the hot elements can cause sooty deposits on the wall

Oil filled radiators

Oil filled radiators are electric heaters with multiple fins. The fins increase the surface area of the heater whilst creating pockets for air to collect in. The radiator is full of small pipes which carry the oil around. The oil is then heated by an electrical element, and pumped all round the heater. This allows the surfaces of the radiator to heat up, warming the room. They usually have a control panel, with the thermostat to set the temperature and a timer to choose time intervals.

If you’re looking to effectively heat a room or boost your central heating system, oil filled radiators are popular, sought-after heating solutions. Our traditional radiators have been revamped with new, stylish designs to suit any home.

Why choose an oil filled radiator?

Oil filled radiators are a hassle-free solution to heating woes and are among the most widely purchased electric heaters thanks to their versatility and reliability. Unlike central heating systems, they require no maintenance or servicing – simply plug in and go.

They are cost effective and energy efficient as you can simply place them where the heat needs to be! No more waiting for the radiator on the other side of the room, or heating the whole house unnecessarily. Thanks to their oil they are excellent at retaining heat so less energy is needed. Even after they’ve stopped drawing power, they continue to gently radiate heat from within.

With handy additions like a 24 hour timer and daily schedule, you’re in complete control of when your heater turns on, saving you money against costly ‘on or off’ alternatives. You simply programme what heat you want your space to be and when – and the radiator handles the rest!

Oil filled radiators are also safer than their alternatives. Where classic, central heating radiators get hot enough to burn if touched, oil filled radiators won’t get that hot on the surface. If you have small children around the house, this will help to prevent burns as they run around and play.

How does an oil filled radiator work?

As the name might suggest, oil filled radiators are filled with a special type of oil that works as a heat transfer fluid. There will be a heating element within this fluid that works similarly to how a kettle heats water. All of this is then held within the metal body, usually made from cast iron.

Oil filled radiators have a distinctive design of curved columns, known as fins, that increase the surface area of your radiator. This allows more air to come into contact with the radiator for optimal heat transfer.

Oil filled radiators use both convection and radiation to heat your space and the people in it.

Convection heating works by heating the air directly in front of the heater. This hot air then rises, pushing cold air downwards to be heated by the heater.

Radiation heat works by directly heating the people and objects in a room, rather than the air. It is a much more efficient method of heating.

Advantages of oil filled radiators

Energy efficient
Great choice for small areas
Silent running
Portable
Heat without drying
Safer than other heaters as the surface doesn’t get hot enough to burn

Dis-advantages of oil filled radiators

Larger units can be bulky
Only suitable for spaces up to 25m²
Traditional models take a longer time to heat up (no longer a problem thanks to the turbo heating option on Devola oil filled radiators!)

Features of an oil filled radiator

Patio heaters

Patio heaters use the heat transfer method of radiant heat to warm up the outdoor environment. They will warm up people, furniture and objects directly, which means the heat won't be lost by the wind. Patio heaters are the most efficient way to heat an outdoor space, as people will retain the heat and radiate it out further. They are suitable for homes, as well as commercial environments like bars, cafés, restaurants, terraces and warehouses.

How do patio heaters work?

There are two main types of patio heaters:

Electric patio heaters which are plugged in and switched on. They produce heat which is powered by the infrared element, which will warm the bodies of occupants, not the air. The heat won't be wasted. For home owners, they are the most preferred choice because they are efficient and produce zero carbon emissions. If you want to heat up your garden quickly with less hassle, they are the best choice. Electric patio heaters are suitable for large gardens and can be used inside.

Gas patio heaters are powered by either a fixed natural gas line, or a propane gas tank. They are suitable outdoor heaters for a pub garden. Natural gas heaters need to be attached to a fixed natural gas line. You may need a Gas Safe engineer to install this type of heater. Natural gas patio heaters can be less expensive than Propane gas heaters or Electric patio heaters. Gas patio heaters are very efficient, require little maintenance and have a flame which can create a beautiful effect. Propane gas heaters need to be connected to a gas tank, but tend not to have an additional setup. They require more maintenance than a natural gas heater, as the gas tank needs to be replaced once it runs out.

Factors to consider before buying your patio heater

When you are choosing a patio heater, there are key considerations you should take into account to buy the right one for you.

1.) Placing it in the right area

The placement of the patio heater in your outdoor space is important. If you place it too far away, the heater will be less effective. They should be at least 1 metre away from anything flammable, and kept on a flat surface so they don't get knocked over easily. Make sure the patio heater is well out of reach of children and pets. Depending on how your garden is set up, you may want to put it in a parasol which will directly heat up a table, mount it to the wall by your seating area, or have one freestanding next to the table.

2.) Price

An electric patio heater will have the lowest running costs by a country mile. There is a gap because electric heaters concentrate their heat on objects, whereas gas heaters warm the air around objects and the space above the heater. This leads to wasted heat, which creates a long-term cost. Gas patio heaters also use much more energy at an average of 13 kW, whereas electric patio heaters are 2-3 kW.

3.) Environmental cost and maintenance

Gas patio heaters produce significantly more CO2 than electric patio heaters, especially if you use 'green' electricity.

Before you buy a patio heater, you should be prepared to maintain it regularly. Maintenance includes shielding it from the elements in winter, moving it into storage if you are not using it as much, cleaning off debris inside and cleaning the outside. Always check for broken parts when reassembling the patio heater.

3.) Appearance

If you desire a roaring flame to create ambience, a gas patio heater is your best option. However, if you want a heater that is modern and subtle, an electric patio heater is your best option.

Advantages of patio heaters

Patio heaters are good for outdoor gatherings with friends and family when it's cold
They come in multiple size and design options
Patio heaters are affordable, with our price range between £100-£600 for most of our units
They can heat a large area
Many patio heaters are designed to be efficient
They are portable, so you can find the perfect spot for it in your room

Dis-advantages of patio heaters

Gas patio heaters require installation, which will be expensive initially as you'll need a professional
Electric patio heaters may cost more in the long term, due to electricity rates
Propane heaters are more expensive to run than natural gas heaters, and you'll have to replace the propane once it runs out
Gas patio heaters can have a negative effect on the environment, as they produce carbon dioxide

Heating your home for less

Heating your home in the winter can be a struggle for many. Portable heaters allow you to heat a chosen room much quicker than you would be able to when solely relying on your central heating.

Electric heating is a popular choice by many homeowners as it’s easy for you to keep bills manageable whilst allowing you to quickly and effectively heat any room in your home just the way you like it. Electric heaters are also very important in reducing your carbon footprint due to lower energy costs.

Staying warm in the winter is a struggle we all must deal with and if your central heating, as is often the case, just doesn’t cut it then an electric heater could be just what your home needs. Whether it’s a burst of warmth in the morning or sustained heat in the evening, our range of electric home heaters are exceptional value for money!

FAQs | Here are some frequently asked questions

What size panel heater do I need for my space?

The wattage (W) is the maximum power output of your heater. If you want to use the heater as the primary source of heat in a room, you need to choose the right wattage. The bigger the room, the more power you’ll need to keep it warm.

Will my heater switch off on its own?

If you have set a timer on your heater it will switch off when the time has elapsed. The heater will also stop heating once the target has been reached.

Should I wall mount my heater or leave it free standing?

This depends on how you want to use your heater. If you plan to move it from room to room, you should leave it free standing. However, if you have chosen which room it will be in all the time, it can be mounted to the wall to save floor space.

How are panel heaters installed?

If you plan to keep your heater free standing, it is as simple as plugging in the cord. If you wish to wall mount your heater, it will be a quick and easy job with none of the mess and expense of installing central heating. Simply screw them to the wall and plug them in to the nearest socket.

However, if your heater does not come with a plug you should not try to wire this in yourself. Call a qualified electrician. Hardwiring your heater can provide a tidier fitting with no visible wires.

How high from the ground should my patio heater be fixed?

Most patio heaters should be mounted from 2.2 - 2.5 metres high from the ground. Larger 4kW heaters may need to be mounted up to 3.5 metres. This will be specified in the included instructions.

Can I mount a patio heater inside my gazebo?

Some freestanding patio heaters maybe be able to be used in temporary structures like gazebos, but you should be careful to ensure there is proper clearance from any materials and circulation.

Can I mount my patio heater indoors?

Patio Heaters can be used indoors and can provide instant heat at the touch of a button.

Do I need an electrician to install my patio heater?

A basic patio heater plugs into a socket, so if you feel confident about safely mounting your heater to the wall you don't need to employ an electrician. If your heater is above 3kW, linking to multiple heaters, or hardwired into your electricity supply, then you will need an electrician.

What level of clearance do I need around the patio heater?

You will need approximately 30 cm below a ceiling or away from the corner of the wall.

If it's still raining, can I still install the patio heater outside?

Most patio heaters are IP65 rated, which will make them weather resistant, so they can be installed in any outdoor situation.

Can electric heaters be wired together, and plugged into a standard 13A socket using a standard three pin plug?

Yes, they can be wired together, as long as the combined power they are drawing doesn't exceed 13 Amps. The maximum power that can be put through a conventional UK fused plug socket is 13 Amps.

How much do patio heaters cost to run?

A number of factors determine the running costs, such as: efficiency, the level of heat you need, and your electricity tariff. To work it out simply take the Wattage of your heater, times it by the amount of time you want to run it for to get the kilowatt-hours and then find the price you pay for your electricity or gas. For example, if you want to run your 2kW heater for 6 hours you have 16kWh. If you pay 52 pence per kWh for electricity you'll be paying £8.32 to run your heater.

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