Are oil filled radiators notably more efficient than convector heaters?

Maestro.

I live in a small, non centrally heated home. Insulation isn't great but hopefully getting sorted soon. Can't put in central heating or storage heaters as is rented... landlord might agree to storage heaters but I'm going on the basis they won't.

Electric only - no gas. Electric bill during average winter months can get frighteningly close to £200, which is frankly ridiculous. I'm thinking part of the problem is the majority of that heat is coming from bog standard convector heaters, whereby as soon as you switch it off the heat is gone.

What I want to know is, are oil filled electric radiators, such as the delonghi dragon, any more efficient in real terms? I know that electric heaters are all supposed to operate in the same level of efficiency, but given the oil is supposed to radiate the heat, only requiring the heater element to "top it up", surely these oil filled radiators offer some saving.

Can anyone advise? Would a £60 delonghi dragon 1.5KW pay for itself over a winter?

Jonesya

No, oil filled radiators take longer to cool down and emit heat for longer but that's balanced out by them taking longer to warm up and start giving out heat. They're no more efficient or cost saving.

You could consider a radiant, halogen type heater. It's no more efficient than all the others but does have the advantage that you can focus the heat towards you, keeping you warm whilst allowing the rest of the room to be cooler.

You see them in warehouses or even outdoors to provide some warmth when it isn't possible to heat the whole space.

lstar337

Jonesya wrote: »

No, oil filled radiators take longer to cool down and emit heat for longer but that's balanced out by them taking longer to warm up and start giving out heat. They're no more efficient or cost saving.

No more to add here. Perfect answer.

Rotor

Oil filled are safer but no more efficient

Naf

Efficiency of all electrically powered heaters is pretty close to 100% anyway; but they offer different types of heating depending on the space you need to heat, when, how often, how quickly...

Where are the heaters currently used?
Are they on most of the time?
What's your glazing like?

fluffymuffy

If you're looking for free heat then you need a split air con unit run in heating mode. We've just bought our third - one at last house and bought one for my mother. It costs about £700 installed but will give 4kW output for 1kW input.

HappyMJ

fluffymuffy wrote: »

If you're looking for free heat then you need a split air con unit run in heating mode. We've just bought our third - one at last house and bought one for my mother. It costs about £700 installed but will give 4kW output for 1kW input.

Free heat? It's costing £700. I don't consider that free. In the middle of winter the COP values are nowhere near 4. On the coldest nights in winter (-18C outside) the COP values are much closer to 1 which makes them no different to any other electrical heater.

sk240

Yeah but its only somtimes -18, usually its above 0, even at least efficient its still cheaper to run than a standard electric heater.

I had one when i was on LPG, saved a fortune on the LPG, and the house was warner and quicker to heat up with the heat pump.
Also has the advantage of air conditioning too.
If i was on Oil, LPG or electric heating i wouldnt hesitate to get aother one! i worked out that even with the install costs it would pay for itself in 2 years, no brainer to me.
If your handy with the DIY, see the link for a cheaper diy heatpump
http://www.vyair.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=125

HappyMJ wrote: »

Free heat? It's costing £700. I don't consider that free. In the middle of winter the COP values are nowhere near 4. On the coldest nights in winter (-18C outside) the COP values are much closer to 1 which makes them no different to any other electrical heater.