Which Low-Consumption Electric Radiator Should You Choose: Because heating is a significant expense particularly when it relies on electrical energy it is important to look for economical technical solutions. Let’s not forget that heating represents up to 55% of electricity consumption in winter.
The low-consumption electric radiator is ideal if you wish to maintain your power supply but opt for less energy-consuming convectors as part of your renovation work.
But here it is: the consumption of electric heating varies greatly depending on the quality of the devices you install – low consumption electric radiator with dry inertia fluid inertia etc. – the characteristics of your accommodation or your consumption profile.
To help you choose we suggest you draw up a list of the advantages of the low-consumption electric radiator. You will be better able to choose from the heat emitters on sale on the market.
Low consumption electric heating: what are its advantages?
Low consumption of electric heating necessarily means energy savings. Your low-consumption electric radiator is designed to heat more while consuming less electricity.
Your thermal comfort (the feeling of warmth and well-being inside the home) then increases quite naturally. The heat returned is homogeneous and continuous, far from the hot air currents of old electric convectors.
On the other hand your electricity bill is significantly reduced. It is generally estimated that for a home located in an H2 (temperate) climate zone the amount of annual energy savings compared to the use of old convectors is around 300$.
As part of energy renovation work choosing low-consumption electric emitters to replace your old radiators in addition to low-consumption central heating is always an excellent idea. It is also highly recommended by professionals. [Which Low-Consumption Electric Radiator Should You Choose]
Low-consumption electric heating: opt for the electric inertia radiator
Electric radiators have long been criticized and singled out for their poor performance: efficiency dry and unpleasant air and above all extremely high energy costs. They had become bad students when it came to heating.
However technology has evolved, and it is now possible to buy low-consumption electric radiators the most popular in terms of low-consumption electric heating. Several products are available and fill the gaps in old electric radiators.
This is particularly the case for low-consumption electric inertia radiators which are also called radiant radiators. Featuring a much more recent technology than electric storage radiators (heavy and bulky) inertia radiators have a small footprint and are relatively light.
Thermal inertia, that is to say the progressive diffusion of heat, allows radiation even when the device is stopped, ideal for benefiting from a good temperature in all the rooms concerned while making savings over the long term. term.
We are talking about the Joule effect, that is to say electrical energy transformed into heat energy using a resistance. The heat provided is gentle and the air is less dry and breathable. As for energy savings these are even greater due to the presence of a regulator.
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This accessory allows you to determine with extreme precision the temperature of rooms in your home or even for certain models to control the remote switching on and off of your low-consumption electric heating.
Regulated models are of course more expensive, but this acquisition cost is quickly reduced due to the reduction in electric bills.
When it comes to low-consumption electric heating, three choices are available to you: the electric radiator with fluid inertia the low-consumption electric radiator with dry inertia and the double-heating core radiator.
The main difference lies in the heat diffusion characteristics (by heat transfer fluid, directly via the heating body or hybrid operation). [Which Low-Consumption Electric Radiator Should You Choose]
The low-consumption electric radiator with fluid inertia
Low-consumption electric radiators with fluid inertia are also called heat transfer fluid radiators. The principle is simple: a fluid circulates in the radiator and is heated by a resistance.
The role of this resistance? Transform the calories received into heat. This fluid therefore stores calories and then gradually diffuses them into the room by radiation.
Unlike the operation of a conventional electric radiator the diffusion is therefore much more gentle and pleasant the emissivity coefficient of this type of electric radiator is excellent.
A heat transfer fluid to diffuse heat
The fluid that circulates inside a low-consumption heat transfer electric radiator can be mineral oil vegetable oil or even glycol. These liquids are chosen based on their strong thermal properties which they maintain over the long term: viscosity volumetric heat capacity electrical conductivity oxidizing properties, etc.
For a more economical low-consumption electric heating model, we generally opt for brine but this can partially clog the resistance over the years which is why more thorough maintenance is generally recommended to avoid losing energy. heating performance or generate leaks.
As for the material of the low-consumption electric radiator with fluid inertia this is generally aluminum or steel. Low-consumption heating models made of steel generally provide better radiation since they are filled with this heat transfer fluid.
Aluminum models contain less fluid but are suitable for all types of rooms in the home and have a very good heating rate. [Which Low-Consumption Electric Radiator Should You Choose]
What is the price of a low-consumption electric radiator with fluid inertia?
As a general rule the heat transfer fluid does not allow as good heat accumulation as refractory materials. The positive consequence of this is that the radiator with fluid inertia is generally less expensive than the low-consumption electric radiator with dry inertia.
Some models can be found at 200$. The most powerful but also the most technological models will easily exceed 1,000$ each. Everything also depends on the radiator equipment: programmer electronic thermostat digital control connected to low-consumption electric radiator etc.
Note that the power or design of low-consumption electric heating also comes into play when it comes to cost: more stylish and generally less bulky vertical models generally remain more expensive.
The low-consumption electric radiator with dry inertia
As with the electric radiator with fluid inertia, the idea of this system here is to store heat, to diffuse it gradually. It’s sort of a type of storage heater.
In dry inertia radiators, no heat transfer fluid. Here the thermal resistance is directly in contact with the material of the radiant panel (so-called “refractory” material).
Resistance can even be integrated into the material in certain models to allow total energy optimization.
This material heats up in contact with heat and then releases this heat in the form of radiation throughout the room once the radiator is turned off. [Which Low-Consumption Electric Radiator Should You Choose]
What material should you choose for this low-consumption electric radiator?
The material of the inertia radiator (low consumption) can be brick, ceramic, cast iron or even lava stone or soapstone. The choice of material is made according to its resistance to high heat which is why we generally find the latter in the construction of wood stoves for example.
As a general rule, the most efficient low-consumption dry inertia electric radiators will be made of cast iron a material that is certainly heavy but has the best heat restitution capabilities.
For relatively less expensive low-consumption electric heating choose the dry inertia electric radiator in aluminum (very common) or ceramic. Please note aluminum allows a rapid temperature rise but has lower inertia.
In all cases and as mentioned previously the dry inertia radiator allows more lasting storage of heat and therefore offers better thermal performance. It is also less expensive to use and perfectly waterproof with no risk of liquid leaking. [Which Low-Consumption Electric Radiator Should You Choose]
Low consumption heating: what is a double heating core radiator?
Did you know that there are radiators capable of combining the advantages of inertia with the power of classic convectors? Radiators with a double heating core are composed of a surface radiating panel as well as a heating core based on cast iron or ceramic everything is controlled by a smart thermostat system.
To operate based on reduced electricity consumption this type of heating relies on inertia, which takes over from the radiant panel when the set temperature is reached.
This operation makes the low-consumption double heating core electric radiator one of the most efficient capable of generating nearly 45% savings compared to conventional connectors.
The speed of heating and the inertia system make it suitable for both intermittent and long-term heating no more excuses to take advantage of it.
How much to pay for the acquisition of a low-consumption electric radiator?
Depending on the heating core that is used, and therefore the refractory or metallic material chosen, the price varies from simple to double. Thus, it is possible to find entry-level low-consumption dry inertia electric radiators from 400$ or 500$.
However to offer you a very high-end low-consumption electric radiator with dry inertia, you will have to pay at least 1,500$ to 2,000$ excluding labor.
However the most expensive models to purchase are also those that will offer you better customization possibilities temperature adjustment according to the rooms in the home automatic switching on or off thanks to an open window detection mode etc.
You will have understood that you can now benefit from pleasant heat, diffused continuously without seeing the bill being inflated at the end of the month by opting for low-consumption electric heating.
If you still have the clichés about wall-mounted “toaster” electric heaters in your head the time has come for you to change your outlook. If you have any doubts about the low-consumption electric radiator to install do not hesitate to speak to your craftsman.