Choosing Radiators

smallzoo

For my Mums Annexe the proposed builder has suggested putting in two water filled electric radiators with thermostats at a cost of £360+ each. He says they will provide all the necessary heat and be cheap to run.

There are two rooms ( both insulated ) one is approx 5mx5m and the other 5mx12m

We currently have gas central heating and we are going to replace the boiler in the next 6 months anyway

Are they as efficient as he says for my Mum. Some people on past posts have even suggested that cheap (£15) convector heaters with £5 timers are just as cheap to run..

Any ideas

Thanks

Jonesya

VERY bad move.

Instant electric heating is about the most expensive form of heating there is, it will be costing you around 3x the running cost of gas central heating.

The only way I'd consider it is if the annex is only occupied for short periods, say when visiting, so the running costs are small but if your mum is living there full time then definitely go for gas central heating.

It sounds a big space, so probably worth getting central heating installed as part of the boiler upgrade in case it requires a bigger boiler.

smallzoo

Thanks for that...Its so difficult when you listen to a builder and he says is suggestion is best and then opinion ( not just yours..) says otherwise. It then makes me think whether the other costs,parts he is installing ( insulation, windows doors, wc, shower etc ) are also wrong or overpriced !

Doozergirl

I agree. If gas is available, gas fired heating will be the cheapest option to run.

tea-bag

I am going to throw air con / heat pump into the mix. You can get a split unit for about £700 I have a annex in my garden and use a duel head unit in two rooms it works like a dehumidifier as well and are efficient set temperature and it does the rest hot or cold.