Slimline curve electric radiator

TheProfessional

Hi all,
Have a slightly chilly conservatory (which is now part of the kitchen with no internal doors) which didn't have building regs. Probably as it is not insulated enough.

Long term we will probably add a radiator but that will require bashing up some tiles etc but in the interim was going to buy one of these

https://www.bestelectricradiators.co.uk/p/slimline-curve-electric-radiator/

And mount on the wall. Anyone use them and think they are good for a morning hour and couple of evening hours?

Thanks

Robin9

A £20 wall mounted heater from Argos will do the job just as well, cost the same to run and leave you with over £200 in your pocket

matelodave

I'd take issue with Robin's assessment of savings - a 600 watt heater wont be anywhere sufficient in a conservatory, so you need to be looking at a 2000watt one to make any difference,, which would cost you £429, so an Argos one would save you £400 

Hasbeen

TheProfessional said:

Hi all,
Have a slightly chilly conservatory (which is now part of the kitchen with no internal doors) which didn't have building regs. Probably as it is not insulated enough.

Long term we will probably add a radiator but that will require bashing up some tiles etc but in the interim was going to buy one of these

https://www.bestelectricradiators.co.uk/p/slimline-curve-electric-radiator/

And mount on the wall. Anyone use them and think they are good for a morning hour and couple of evening hours?

Thanks

If you go for the biggest one, 2000w heater it is £429

Get a small floor 2000w one, sit in corner etc for £14

GoodHome 2000W White Freestanding Fan heater | DIY at B&Q

Gerry1

"Up to 50% cheaper heating

More than just another radiator, our Slimline Curve uses the latest intelligent heat management technology to optimise the amount of heat produced for every unit of electricity, ensuring maximum cost savings along the way."

Not sure much of that would pass muster with the ASA !

• 50% cheaper - than what?  Burning £10 notes?

• Clever controls can restrict usage to times when it's required, and good thermostats can restrict excessive consumption.  However, 1kWh unit of electricity will always produce 1kWh of heat, it can't be 'optimised' in any way, so this heater is no better than any other electric heater (apart from a heat pump).

Steer clear of any company making dubious claims about expensive electric heaters.

TheProfessional

Thanks all!

I was very close to pushing the button on buying the £429 one based on our square footage. Seems like I was dazzled by the website (and reviews which to be fair seem good)

I will look at the substantially cheaper ones and hopefully find one which the wife will find aesthetically pleasing as well! 

coffeehound

Per @Hasbeen's suggestion, a fan heater would be a good choice for your usage -- instant heat to all corners for fairly short periods.

Gerry1

TheProfessional said:

Seems like I was dazzled by the website (and reviews which to be fair seem good)

I never trust Trustpilot.  Many of its positive reviews seem to be fake, and the negative ones could well be posted by competitors.

Note that the reviews for Slimline Curve all seem to relate to delivery and installation only, never to the high running costs which will turn out to be the real killer.  Same with the Magic Dust radiators !

matelodave

As soon as you see the words "more efficient", "money saving", magic dust, magic clay, fairy oil or the like when applied to electrical heaters then start running away.
As said above a 2kw fan heater or convector from Argos or one of the sheds will produce exactly the same amount of heat for exactly the same cost as any that will cost you £100's more. 

The only sort of electrical heater than will cost less to run (apart from a heatpump) is a proper storage heater that uses vheaper rate off-peak electricity and stores heat during the night and gives it out during the day. Be careful however, some of the magic dust, clay or oil variety claim to be storage heaters - they aren't. They use full price peak rate electricity.

A potential solution for you might be an air-air heatpump like this https://www.altoenergy.co.uk/products/air-to-air-heat-pumps which can deliver 3-5 times as much heat as the electricty it consumes. They also work as air conditioners in the summer and can be a good solution for a conservatory if you've got space for the units.

TheProfessional

I have just looked at airpumps and they seem good but we don't have the space. Also I believe we pay the same for electricity at whatever time of the day.

As suggested will get a good value heater and bring forward my idea of getting a new radiator. I have no idea whether when they converted the conservatory into a lounge whether they put insulation in the half walls, or in the roof (glass removed and tiles put on) or in the floor. It must be why it's so chilly there but I feel it probably also sucks heat out of the kitchen as well.
I think a gas powered radiator running off the combi would be preferable but if the room is poorly insulated it would still be inefficient 

Thanks all

Hasbeen

Great news. You have saved about £400 that now can go towards insulation, new radiator, etc.

Is conservatory ceiling open or now plaster boarded? If boarded cut out small piece and confirm if any insulation?

Might help to insulate if minimal and roof has ventilation?