Alternative to Electric Fire

nickbrat

Hi,

Just a quickie. i have an electric fire in my living room and would like to ask, do any of you have any info/knowledge of a cheaper alternative?

Oil rad, fan heater etc.....

Nick

lisa1981_2

I would also like to know! Just moved into a house that is too big for 2 people. If you turn the heat on you have to heat the whole house. We only use 2 rooms so would like a little heater for the living room and bedroom. What is the most economical to run electric wise?

aboard_epsilon

there isn't anything economical that is electric ..if the heater says 2kw then thats what it uses ..unless its thermostatically controlled ..then you will get the 2kw either on or off .

same with 1kw ..that will use 1kw

the only economical electric heater is a night storage heater ..thren you are paying a different tariff for the power

so you can be economical ..by buying a smaller heater..then you have less heat

electricity is 100 percent efficient...you cant make it any more unless you get into ground or air source heat pumps .

all the best.markj

BargainGalore

The only difference is how the appliance gives off the energy as heat. If you want a cheaper way to heat gas is much cheaper

Dont forget to shop around of energy deals too if money is tight, paying by direct debt and online tariffs tends to be cheapest usually

27col

The only reason for choosing one type of electric fire over another is possibly appearance or ease of use. There is absolutely no difference in running costs what ever type of fire that you choose.

Vibrant

While it is true that all electric fires use the same amount of power, that view is rather simplistic. The way that the heat is provided makes all the difference to the consumption.

Fan heaters- usually need to use the 2KW setting, quick to heat up a modest sized room, but as soon as they switch off you start to feel cold, as they swirl the air about, also rather noisy.

Bar fires- quick to warm the immediate area and very good in a fireplace type area. One bar (1KW) is usually enough, two will cook you. Downside is that anyone outside of the radiant area will freeze to death. Halogen versions seem the same.

Convector heaters- Warm the room in similar way to radiators, with an overall warmth. Only buy a model with a thermostat. Disadvantages, quite slow to bring a room up to temperature.

Oil filled radiators- More, or less the same a convectors, but the heat output is steadier. My personal choice.

Storage heaters- cheap electric, but they use a lot. Useless if you work during the day, as the heat is finished by 6pm. Some merit in using them on the lowest setting, to keep the house from getting freezing cold and damp. Good for drying socks, towels etc on.

Personally I'm only home in the evenings, so I like an oil filled radiator, with a radiant bar fire in the fire place if it is very cold and find this the most economical method of electric heating.
But a lot depends on how you live, if you are only in the house for half an hour at a time, then a fan heater would be best. If you are home all day, storage heaters with an oil filled radiator for the living room would be best (but gas CH would be far, far better).

27col

Basically what you have said using about 500 words is what I said using about 35 words. Convenience or ease of use is the main criteria.