Dimplex EPX Panel Heaters

hitenk

Hi

I have a small 2 bed flat in which all the rooms are equipped with Dimplex EPX series panel heaters of various sizes.

over the past 2 years, all but one has failed and they are all about 8-10 years old now.

I am looking to replace all of them and wondered if it was best to replace them with the same heaters or if there are better ways to go about heating my flat ( we only have elec , no gas feed)

Also if I replace them all is there a way they can be centrally managed in terms of times, heat level etc?

any help / advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

lstar337

Lets get the main fact out of the way first. All direct electric heaters will give out the same amount of heat for a given power rating. There have been no efficiency improvements between now and the 3 bar heater. Thermodynamics has got us in a choke hold over that.

Basically, you can replace them with anything. As you have already mentioned, control is where we can and have made improvements over the years. You certainly can get units that are all linked by a central controller, but you have to be careful as these are shark infested waters you are about to swim in.

So, you can go cheap (really cheap) and pay roughly £30 a unit for 3kW oil filled* units with a thermostat and timer built in. These can be found online, in Argos, Lidl, Tesco, whatever.

You can go pretty. Nice wall mounted units that look like a normal radiator (or better), give the same heat but you pay more because it looks nice in your home.

Or you can go for control. Linked units which are normally fixed to the wall and have a central controller. You will obviously pay more for these too.

Stay well clear of any salesmen or companies that claim their heaters are 'more efficient' or 'Save you money' or are filled with magical clay. If in doubt, post the company here and we can give advice about whether you should trust their claims and/or prices.

Good luck.





*Oil filled is a personal preference for me because 1. There is no exposed element and so it is safer, 2. There is no exposed element so no burning dust smell.

hitenk

Thanks for the reply and the advice

Are there any companies which provide similar types of heaters as the Dimplex ones.

i am edging towards replacing them with like for likes as then all the wall brackets and mounting plates will make it a seamless replacement *touch wood*

Thanks

daveyjp

I'd go back to Dimplex - they have been around for years and do a wide range of heaters.

lstar337

daveyjp wrote: »

I'd go back to Dimplex - they have been around for years and do a wide range of heaters.

I agree. Dimplex have been around for ever, know what they are doing, and are not a bunch of snakes after your money.

Looking at their website quickly I would say you would want to be looking at either the Q-Rads: http://www.dimplex.co.uk/products/domestic_heating/installed_heating/q-rad/index.htm or something from the panel heater range: http://www.dimplex.co.uk/products/domestic_heating/installed_heating/panel_heaters/index.htm Plus the 4 zone controller: http://www.dimplex.co.uk/products/domestic_heating/installed_heating/installed_heating_controls/4_zone_controller/index.htm

Incidently the 4 zone controller is compatible with the EPX range that you already have, so you can leave any working rads you have in place and they will work with the new system.

The choice is yours of course. Don't go straight to Dimplex for prices, shop around for the model numbers. You could save quite a bit that way.

Cardew

hitenk wrote: »

Hi

I have a small 2 bed flat in which all the rooms are equipped with Dimplex EPX series panel heaters of various sizes.

over the past 2 years, all but one has failed and they are all about 8-10 years old now.

I am looking to replace all of them and wondered if it was best to replace them with the same heaters

Have you asked anyone to have a look to see if the problem is obvious? cut-out, reset button etc/

lstar337

Cardew wrote: »

Have you asked anyone to have a look to see if the problem is obvious? cut-out, reset button etc/

Good point. Even replacement elements are not much over £30.

You could repair the heaters you have and invest in the zone controller if you wanted more control.

hitenk

Thanks for all the feedback.

I did have someone look at them, due to the age of them and all of the showing the same issues i think i would like to just do a full re fresh.

currently i have the panel EPX range so will look at the same type.

Thanks for all the advice

regards

Hiten