Electric Radiators

maindow

Hello,
I'm looking at vertical electrical radiators as a replacement for my current storage heating.
My property is all electric has no gas connections, I'm on a budget, I've done some research, but need some more advice.
I found a forum a while back about buying an ordinary vertical radiator, adding a heating element (which can be thermostatically controlled) and pre-filling the radiator with heating fluid.

• Has anybody any experience of doing this?
• What does the pre-fill heating fluid consist of and in what concentration, where can I buy this?
• What type of heating element have you used?
• What accessories would I require fo instance do I need a blanking nut?

Thank you

Gerry1

Still in the wrong forum !  Needs to be in Energy.

Cardew

What is supposed to be the purpose of filling a radiator with a substance other than water?

All electrical heating is 100% efficient regardles of the type of heating. By 100% efficient we mean it will give EXACTLY the same amount of heat, for the same consumption of electricity - and hence cost.

Filling the heater with any substance known to man, from custard to cryptonite, doesn't alter the statement above - the heater will be 100% efficient. Filling the radiator with a 'heating fluid' of a different viscosity will only alter the rate at which the radiator gives out heat. A thicker fluid, e.g. oil, will take longer to heat up than water, but retain it's heat longer. The total amount of heat released will be exactly the same regardless of the 'heating fluid'.

J_B

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/energy

maindow

Thanks, answered my own question, found a supplier that is on the same wavelength

Ebe_Scrooge

maindow said:

Thanks, answered my own question, found a supplier that is on the same wavelength

Let me guess, the supplier has developed a magic radiator that will give the same heat output for less electrical input ?  Really, the above replies are spot on.  Any electrical heating is 100% efficient - as Scotty was fond of saying, ye canna change the laws of physics.

Different types of rad will operate differently.  A simple fan or convector heater is pretty much instant - gives out heat almost as soon as it's turned on, stops giving heat when it's turned off.  An oil-filled rad takes a while to warm up, but continues giving heat for a while when it's turned off.  Infra-red heaters give a more targetted heat, rather than heating the entire room.  The net amount of electricity consumed and heat emitted is identical.

Where you can make a saving is with storage heaters, assuming you have Economy 7 or similar.  They generate heat using cheaper off-peak electricity, and store it to use later.  Making use of a cheaper off-peak tariff, by whatever means you can, is the only way you'll save money compared to using standard peak-rate electricity.