oil filled rads efficiency over time

Ant555

Does anyone know if an oil filled radiator becomes less efficient as it gets older?

I have a 15 year old one and whilst it still heats up etc, I was wondering if the properties of the liquid inside it changes over time.

With electricity prices as they are, I am wondering if a new one would possibly be cheaper over a couple of years OR if my existing one heats up then its still as viable as any other one?

Thanks

Section62

Ant555 said:

Does anyone know if an oil filled radiator becomes less efficient as it gets older?

I have a 15 year old one and whilst it still heats up etc, I was wondering if the properties of the liquid inside it changes over time.

With electricity prices as they are, I am wondering if a new one would possibly be cheaper over a couple of years OR if my existing one heats up then its still as viable as any other one?

Thanks

The oil will change over time, but that won't affect efficiency.  And shouldn't have any noticeable effect on operation.

The oil just acts as a heat store/buffer - air in the room is heated by contact with the external surface of the radiator, rather than the direct heating of air you get with a bare heating element.

Heat in = Heat out.

You won't recover the cost of a new heater by any theoretical improvement in efficiency.  The cost of use depends on how high you set the thermostat and how long you run it for.

Belenus

Keep what you have.

Oil filled radiators, like other electric heaters, are essentially 100% efficient. All the electricity they use is turned into heat.

They do not become less efficient with age.

They take longer to warm up than a convection or fan heater as the oil must first be heated up but they retain that heat for longer. They are ideal for regular heating of a room, especially if they have a thermostat as most do.

Ant555

Thanks to all - doesn't get used often nowadays but ill keep it.

I dont have any smart meters yet but have just taken delivery of an electricity energy monitor so im at that stage of watching it like a hawk - I am now fully invested in turning unnecessary stuff off and not leaving on standby as im way more informed in these things nowadays and can visualise my usage kWh figures as £'s