Soaring in popularity, electric heaters are rapidly becoming a mainstay of British homes. Keeping you and your family warm throughout thick and thin, electric heating is probably something you've at least considered. If not, you may already have one. Particularly for those who live in flats, rented accommodation or (very simply) don't have access to the more mainstream gas-based central heating option.
Part of why electric heating is so popular is because gas heating is becoming unpopular. The two often find themselves at odds and in this article, we're going to even the odds a bit and take a look at electric heaters. More specifically, what are the top 11 benefits of electric heating? Maybe then we can start to see why electric heaters are on the rise in the UK.
1: No installation costs or maintenance fees
It's impossible to talk about electric heating without talking about the gas alternative. Powered by a mains connections and flowing throughout the entire home, to say that gas based heating is complex is putting it mildly. If your home doesn't already have gas heating, then you're having to pay for installation. If something later goes wrong with your heating... Well you may be seeing where this is going. Gas heating can be remarkably expensive.
With electric heaters though, outside of the initial heater cost, there are no real hidden costs or additional fees. Even considering that electric heaters can have a variety of different mounting types, most electric heaters contain everything that you need for your heater right there in the box. No need to call out the engineers or the specialists. No need for rented, expensive tools. More often than not- electric heaters are a simple case of plug and go.
2: More focused heating
During 2024 and at the outset of 2025 running costs are in the public eye more than ever. From games consoles, cookers and other household appliances; the British public seem to be more aware of energy costs than ever before. And, as you may expect, heating has found itself in the crosshairs more than anything else.
Heating has usually been seen as a luxury in the UK. Thanks to the overall approach that our traditional, gas-based heating takes when heating up an entire home; many Brits tend to think of home heating as a bonus and not a necessity. However with electric heating, you can control and maintain your home heating experience more accurately. In so doing, you can focus your heating where your home needs it most, where you need it most and, potentially, save yourself a lot of money by only heating the most necessary areas of your home.
3: Reducing energy costs
Leading on from our previous benefit, one of the major reasons why electric heaters have really surpassed gas heating for so many UK homes is the potential for reduced energy costs. Thanks to the level of control that electric heating offers and the lack of indulgence (for want of a better word) these heaters tend to be much more practical for most UK homes. Focusing more so on straightforward heating with additional options and functions that allow you to find new ways to reduce your heating bills.
Because electric heaters tend to offer more options and provide a lot more than a simple dial control, you're always in charge of your heating. And when you're in charge of something, you can customise it to be as cost effective and efficient as possible for your specific needs.
4: Customisable heating
Timers, smart heating, different modes and more. Customising your heater isn't just about saving money. It certainly can be if that's what you prefer. But what you prefer is the entire point. Gas heaters are still so popular because most houses in the UK are built with them preinstalled (although not all.) As such, mains heaters haven't quite had the chance to catch on when it comes to more modern trends.
Having the option to customise your heating experience isn't just a good thing for your home- by allowing you to adjust more than just the temperature of your home- but also great for your personal comfort. Having the option to change between a variety of modes, set personal timers and even be able to use a remote or smart phone to control your heater takes convenience to a whole new level. Allowing you to find the perfect balance between your personal favourite type of heating whilst also creating the best atmosphere possible for your home.
5: Options, options and more options
Gas heating can be many things and, although we're talking about electric heaters, there's no denying that gas heating can be a great option for some homes. That being said, there's only really one type of gas heater. One that heats the entire home and does that job well. For most people though, their home requires a bit more than that. A little bit extra to really create the ideal home feeling that can't be replicated by any other home.
With electric heaters, there is so much variety that (in all honesty) it can be a bit overwhelming. Heaters with a glass front, radiator style heaters, compact heaters and even larger centrepiece heaters that are guaranteed to turn heads. When it comes to actually taking the plunge into the world of electric heaters, it's a good rule of thumb to take your home décor into account. Not as an extra step. Rather, because an electric heater can seriously enhance the appeal of your home.
6: Safe heating for your home
There's no denying that one of the things that is completely non-negotiable in terms of heating is safety. Thankfully, electronic technology has come such a long way that electric heaters can have a fantastic amount of essential safety features. There's no need to wax lyrical about safety features because (and let's be honest) safety features aren't exactly that exciting... Until they're needed.
In a home with young children or pets around, safety can never be taken for granted. Especially when heating and electronics are involved. That being said, engineers aren't stupid. When electric heaters are designed and built, they're built with lived-in homes in mind. Safety features such as anti-tip-over protection, overheat protection and temperature regulation allow for a safe heating experience that doesn't put you on edge. Even as your little ones and furry friends seemingly do their best to thwart your heater's safety features.
7: Clean for the home, clean for your air flow
Speaking about safety can very quickly lead on to one of the greatest dangers of gas heaters. Old gas heaters can leak and, suffice it to say, having carbon monoxide leaking into your home can be devastating for your health. This is one of the major advantages of electric heaters however, admittedly gas heaters leaking in such a way isn't the most common thing. At the core of why gas heaters leak is part and parcel of what we're talking about now. Cleanliness and maintenance.
The reason why gas leaks from old gas heaters is because they are old. Sadly, uncared for equipment can be the most dangerous and something so hidden and out-of-the-way as gas heating equipment can be incredibly difficult to maintain. Not to mention maintain correctly. With an electric heater, there is no such danger. As we've already covered, electric heaters already have plenty of truly modern safety features. This combined with how straightforward it is to clean and maintain electric heaters mean that more modern, up-to-date heating options really do take the cake when it comes to house hold safety and cleanliness.
8: Longer lasting heat
Are we talking about the life span of gas and electric heaters? Well, in a way, we already have by talking about safety and maintenance. Instead, what we mean by longer lasting heat is the ability of your heater to retain heat over a long period of time. This is also called the heat retention rate or level.
This can be a real life saver, especially when used with any optional timers or when you want to save money by powering off your heater. That's right, after a period of heating, most electric heaters (although there is an exception when it comes to fan heaters) have the ability to still hold warm thermal energy. This may be overly convoluted, but the long and short of it is that most electric heaters can store and emit heat for minutes even after it has been turned off. Providing a bastion of warmth at all times.
9: A more even distribution of warmth
Whilst electric heating is undeniably more focused, one of the strangest but most beneficial aspects of going electric is providing a room with a steady and even coating of heating. Although, on paper, the heat provided by an electric heater is more concentrated, do not think that means that electric heating is a diminished version.
In fact, electric heaters have so much power potential because they are so focused. Usually, with electric heaters, the speed and strength of the heat is located within the heater itself, before spreading out in a radius. With this in mind, you can mix and match where your heater needs to be positioned to get the most warmth to the areas where you need it most.
10: Portability & Ease
It's probably not that eye-opening to say that when you move house, you can't exactly take your trusty mains heating unit with you. But what about an electric heater? Although they are incredibly diverse, most electric heaters are actually incredibly portable. Need to move your heater to another part of your home? Or do you need to take your heater to go? An electric heater is usually a much better proposition for moving than any other heating alternative.
Thanks to the ever developing technology of electric heaters, storing an electric heater is perfectly safe. There are no "warm ups" or "losing a step" after leaving an electric heater in storage during the Summer months. Instead, electric heaters are advanced enough and robust enough to hop right back into action as soon as they are needed.
11: Ever improving smart technology
Mains heaters are amongst some of the oldest and most traditional forms of British household heating. I don't say that as a bad thing- but as a huge positive. To think that gas-centric heating has played such a significant part in part-and-parcel British life is extraordinary. Don't think of electric heating as an adversary. And certainly don't think of the popularity of electric heaters as a hostile take over. Instead, consider it a passing of the torch. Old and reliable technology peaceably making way for a new and exciting new opportunity.
Nowhere is this more apparent than the phenomenon of smart technology and electric heaters working in tandem to create a greater and more effective heating experience. Being able to remotely control your heating with the tap of your phone screen- to cycle through modes, set temperatures and timers from anywhere in the world- is truly a remarkable leap in technology. More so than ever, your choices and your preferences are placed squarely in front of you thanks to huge technological leaps. Technological leaps that can only be taken with electric power at their core.
