{"id":406,"date":"2017-04-24T11:49:58","date_gmt":"2017-04-24T10:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page&p=406"},"modified":"2017-05-09T11:49:50","modified_gmt":"2017-05-09T10:49:50","slug":"electric-heating","status":"publish","type":"project_page","link":"https:\/\/www.local-quotes.co.uk\/advice\/guide\/heating\/electric-heating\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric Heating"},"content":{"rendered":"

Electric heating is popular in rented homes and if you don’t have a connection to mains gas. There are different types of electric storage heaters available as well as electric central heating. You can save hundreds on your energy bills by upgrading your electric heaters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Electric heating is popular in rented homes and if you don’t have a connection to mains gas. There are different types of electric storage heaters available as well as electric central heating. You can save hundreds on your energy bills by upgrading your electric heaters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":411,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":[],"tags":[],"tax_works":[10],"class_list":["post-406","project_page","type-project_page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tax_works-heating"],"acf":{"testimonials":false,"inspirations":false,"faq":[413,414,419,420],"quote_link":"https:\/\/www.quotatis.co.uk\/electric-heaters?sqn=115897&spn=810","project_page_element_title":"Types of Electric Heating","project_page_elements":[{"element_label":"Fan-Assisted Storage Heaters","link_to_element_post":{"ID":417,"post_author":"5","post_date":"2017-04-24 12:44:27","post_date_gmt":"2017-04-24 11:44:27","post_content":"Fan-assisted storage heaters have been around for over 40 years. They work by 'charging' during the night, when electricity is cheaper from the grid. They heat ceramic or concrete blocks within the heater, then stop charging during the day. Then, they release the stored heat throughout the day when you need it, using a fan assisting dissipater to regulate the temperature of the room.\r\n\r\nIf you've got fan-assisted storage heaters, you've probably got a two-tariff meter. You can see if you have one by seeing if you have two numbers on your meter with a day and night rate stated on your bill. You can also tell that you've got a two-tariff meter by identifying the numbers '02' as the first two digits on your MPAN number.\r\n\r\n

Why should I upgrade my fan-assisted storage heaters?<\/h3>\r\nStorage heaters have improved a lot since they were first produced. If you've got old heaters, they will be costing you money. New storage heaters are much better insulated, meaning that they hold more heat in. You can also control how you release the heat much better, whereas in the past the heaters would just release heat over the course of the day.\r\n\r\n

Benefits of fan-assisted storage heaters<\/h3>\r\nThere are plenty of benefits to upgrading your current storage heaters. We've compiled a list so you can make an informed choice.\r\n\r\n

Better insulated<\/h4>\r\nHaving better-insulated storage heaters means that you will save money on your electricity bill. New fan-assisted storage heaters store more heat than older ones due to better insulation, so you won't spend as much money on electricity to get the same amount of heat out.\r\n\r\n

Easier to control<\/h4>\r\nOlder storage heaters were difficult to control and would often let heat out continuously during the day. Newer fan-assisted storage heaters are more controllable, so you can keep rooms warm when you need them to be and cool when you're not using them.\r\n\r\n

Compatible with solar electricity<\/h4>\r\nStorage heaters are compatible with solar electricity. Since electricity is a carbon-intensive fuel, it's well worth considering pairing your heaters with solar panels to generate heat for your home. You can power your heaters with the electricity you generate from the sun. This way, you'll see your bills decrease since the energy you produce from the sun is free. And you can also rest assured that you're doing your bit for the environment.\r\n\r\n

Disadvantages to fan-assisted storage heaters<\/h3>\r\nLike every heating system, there are also drawbacks to storage heaters. Find out what they are so you're aware of everything before you make your decision.\r\n\r\n

Not as efficient as gas<\/h4>\r\nElectricity is much more expensive than gas, so using a gas boiler is usually cheaper. You will pay more to use your appliances, including your heaters, than you would if you were using gas. Unless you can use your appliances mostly at night, when the tariff is cheaper, you will spend more money heating your home to the same temperature than if you had a gas boiler.\r\n\r\n

Not good for allergy sufferers<\/h4>\r\nAlthough the fan in the heaters make them better at distributing heat, it means that fan-assisted storage heaters are not good for allergy sufferers. They blow dust around the room, which could cause problems for allergy sensitive people, no matter how much you clean.\r\n\r\nIf you're not sure whether electric heating is for you, take a look at our pages on oil boilers<\/a> and gas boilers<\/a>.","post_title":"Why you Should Consider Upgrading your Fan-Assisted Storage Heaters","post_excerpt":"Fan-assisted storage heaters are better insulated these days, so if you have old ones it\u2019s worth upgrading them. They store heat that you can use throughout the day, and you can control how fast you heat up a room.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"consider-upgrading-fan-assisted-storage-heaters","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2017-04-24 14:39:37","post_modified_gmt":"2017-04-24 13:39:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page_element&p=417","menu_order":0,"post_type":"project_page_element","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}},{"element_label":"High Heat Retention Storage Heaters","link_to_element_post":{"ID":447,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2017-05-03 12:49:36","post_date_gmt":"2017-05-03 11:49:36","post_content":"Electric heating is the most expensive form of heating. Lots of people choose to change to a gas or oil-fuelled heating system because it is significantly less expensive. However, although changing your heating system is cheaper in the long run, it still requires a significant amount of money up front.\r\n\r\nIf you need or want to stick with electric heating, it\u2019s a good idea to get the most efficient electric heating system you can.\r\n\r\nStorage heaters are usually the most cost-effective way of heating your home using electricity. They use electricity at off-peak times, when it\u2019s cheapest, and store the heat they generate. You can then set your heaters to release heat when you want them to.\r\n\r\nIf you want to heat your home as efficiently as you can, you should consider fitting high heat retention storage heaters.\r\n\r\n
High heat retention storage heaters<\/h5>\r\nHigh heat retention storage heaters are a modern type of heater that can retain more heat than other storage heaters. Their ability to retain high levels of heat reduces heat wastage and so can lower your electricity bill. High heat retention storage heaters are also able to supply more heat when needed than other storage heaters.\r\n\r\nAn advantage to high heat retention storage heaters is that they usually come with automatic controls. Automatic controls are a very easy way to make your storage heaters more efficient. They let you set your heaters to generate and release different amounts of heat at different times. You can also use a thermostat to keep your home at a certain temperature. This will reduce wastage and ensure your home is always at a comfortable temperature.\r\n\r\n
Fan-assisted storage heaters<\/h5>\r\nAnother type of storage heater it's good to know about is fan-assisted storage heaters. These are modern heaters that have better insulation than older electric heaters. Their quality insulation means they are more efficient than other storage heaters as they\u2019re less likely to lose heat. Their heat output is also easier to control, so you can heat up a room more quickly or keep it cool if you\u2019re not using it. To learn more, take a look at our page on fan-assisted storage heaters<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIf you want to replace or fit new storage heaters, you should hire a qualified electrician to do the job. It\u2019s not a good idea to do it yourself as the heaters need wiring into their own electricity circuit in your property. Make sure you get advice and quotes from several different electricians before you get the work done. This will help you to get the most effective electric heating system possible at the right price.","post_title":"Everything You Need to Know About High Heat Rentention Storage Heaters","post_excerpt":"If you want to use storage heaters to heat your home, it's a good idea to install high heat retention storage heaters. They reduce heat wastage and are able to supply high levels of heat when needed.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"everything-need-know-high-heat-rentention-storage-heaters","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2017-05-03 12:49:36","post_modified_gmt":"2017-05-03 11:49:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page_element&p=447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"project_page_element","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}},{"element_label":"Additional Electric Heating","link_to_element_post":{"ID":450,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2017-05-03 15:04:16","post_date_gmt":"2017-05-03 14:04:16","post_content":"Lots of people choose to use electric heaters in addition to another heating system. This is often a good idea if you want to keep one room of your house warm and the rest of it cool or get a small amount of hot water on demand.\r\n\r\nThere are several ways to create extra heat in your home using electricity. We\u2019ve come up with a list of some popular ways to use electricity to boost your home and water temperature.\r\n\r\n

Underfloor heating<\/h3>\r\nUnderfloor heating usually comes in the form of mats or tubes of heated water that are installed under flooring. They can be a good way to heat large rooms. However, they also can be expensive to run as the heat needs to travel through your flooring to reach the room. When installing underfloor heating, it\u2019s important to make sure that the area beneath the mat is well insulated to prevent heat loss.\r\n\r\n

Fan heaters<\/h3>\r\nFan heaters are small, portable heaters that can warm up a room quickly. They\u2019re usually lightweight and good for creating short-term heat. However, they tend to create patches of warm air rather than achieving an even level of heat throughout a room. They can also be noisy and rarely have thermostats and timers.\r\n\r\n

Convection heaters<\/h3>\r\nConvection heaters contain a heating element that warms air that comes into contact with it. This air then warms the rest of the room through convection. Some convection heaters include a fan that increases the amount of air that comes into contact with the heating element and so heats up the room quicker.\r\n\r\nYou can get portable and wall-mounted convection heaters to suit your needs. They can also come with a timer and climate control, which reduces heat wastage and makes them easier to use.\r\n\r\nConvection heaters are good for heating rooms over fairly long periods of time. They take longer to heat a room initially than fan heaters but then are good at providing a steady, even level of heat.\r\n\r\n

Immersion heaters<\/h3>\r\nAn immersion heater is an electric water heater that sits inside a hot water cylinder. It\u2019s a good way to heat water quickly if you\u2019ve run out or need some at short notice.\r\n\r\nImmersion heaters can easily be switched on and off as and when you need them. They contain a thermostat so you can control the temperature of the hot water it produces. People often get an immersion heater in addition to a boiler so they can get extra hot water when they need it and to ensure they still have hot water if their boiler breaks down.\r\n\r\nSo you have quite a few options if you want to use electricity to create extra heat in your home. However, if you\u2019re looking for a way to use electricity to heat your whole home, take a look at our information on fan-assisted and high heat retention storage heaters. Using the heaters in this article to heat your whole home instead of just supply additional heat is not your best option as it will be significantly expensive.","post_title":"Additional Electric Heating Options for Your Home","post_excerpt":"Using electric heating is a good way to boost your home and water temperature. It can help you to increase the temperature of certain rooms in your home without using your main heating system and warming up the whole property.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"additional-electric-heating-options-home","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2017-05-03 15:04:16","post_modified_gmt":"2017-05-03 14:04:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page_element&p=450","menu_order":0,"post_type":"project_page_element","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}}],"standard_and_laws":[{"standard_and_laws_link":{"ID":407,"post_author":"5","post_date":"2017-04-24 11:58:12","post_date_gmt":"2017-04-24 10:58:12","post_content":"Electric heating is a popular alternative to gas boiler systems. It can also be installed as an addition to these systems. Electric heating comes in a variety of different forms. For example, the very popular underfloor heating or space heaters or heat storage systems.\r\n\r\nElectric heating systems have to comply with building regulations. These set the energy efficiency target that the system must meet. They also ensure that the system is installed safely and properly maintained. Building regulations set an emissions target that your home must meet. To meet this target, you may need to install extra installation.\r\n\r\nRead on to find out more about how building regulations apply to electric heating systems.\r\n

What are building regulations?<\/h3>\r\nBuilding regulations are a set of design and construction targets that building work is required to meet. They are in place to set standards for safety and energy efficiency. They also make sure that buildings are suitable for people with disabilities.\r\n

Do building regulations apply to electric heating systems?<\/h4>\r\nBuilding regulations do apply to electric heating systems. The regulations apply to electric heating systems in two main areas. These are around energy efficiency and electrical safety.\r\n

Energy efficiency and electric heating systems<\/h4>\r\nElectric heating systems have to meet efficiency targets set out by building regulations. These targets set out an efficiency target for the system itself. To ensure your system meets this target, choose one with the appropriate energy rating. You should also use a certified installer to ensure the system is installed correctly. Improperly installed systems may perform in a less efficient manner.\r\n\r\nThe building regulations for electric heating systems also set out a target for emissions. These targets set out a CO2 emissions target that buildings have to meet. They are not generally a requirement for older homes. However, if you are building an extension or changing your heating system you may need to meet them.\r\n\r\nIt can be a challenge to meet CO2 emissions targets for electric heating. Electricity is considered to be a fuel with a high carbon impact. Typically this is offset by installing solar photovoltaic panels to generate renewable electricity. It may also be necessary to upgrade the insulation of the building. This will reduce the amount of heat lost and therefore increase the heat efficiency of the electric heating system.\r\n

Electrical safety and electric heating systems<\/h4>\r\nElectric heating systems must meet electrical safety building regulations. This ensures that the system does not pose a risk to either you or your property.\r\n\r\nThe best way to do this is to use a certified electrician to install the system. The Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC)<\/a> operate a certified persons scheme for heating systems. There are other certified electrician schemes such as the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT)<\/a>. You can find out more about certified person schemes here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIf you choose a certified electrician they will be able to self-certify that their work meets building regulations for electrical safety. You can choose a non-certified electrician to carry out the work. However, if you do you will need to schedule a visit from a building control inspector from your local authority. They will inspect the work and check that it meets building regulations.\r\n\r\nBuilding regulations can be a tricky issue. A professional electric heating company can advise you of the best way to ensure that your system meets building regulations. You can find the government's guidance on building regulations here<\/a>.","post_title":"Electric Heating and Building Regulations","post_excerpt":"Electric heating systems have to meet building regulations. These set efficiency and emissions targets as well as ensuring electrical safety. To meet these standards, look for registered heating installers that specialise in electrical heating.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"electric-heating-building-regulations","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2017-04-24 12:01:01","post_modified_gmt":"2017-04-24 11:01:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=standards&p=407","menu_order":0,"post_type":"standards","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}},{"standard_and_laws_link":{"ID":519,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2017-05-09 11:49:21","post_date_gmt":"2017-05-09 10:49:21","post_content":"If you want an electric heating system installed in your home, you\u2019ll have to make a decision about who to choose to install it. There is no legal requirement to choose an installer certified by a competent person scheme, but there are lots of benefits to doing so. Read on to find out more about these benefits.\r\n\r\n

What is a competent person scheme?<\/h3>\r\nCompetent person schemes set standards across their industries. They are affiliated with the government. This means that registered installers can self-certify that their work meets building regulations. There are a variety of schemes across different industries.\r\n\r\nThe scheme most relevant to electric heating installations is the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT). To find out more about NAPIT, visit their website<\/a>.\r\n\r\n

Why use a certified installer?<\/h3>\r\nThere are a variety of benefits to using an installer who is certified with a competent person scheme. Some of these are:\r\n