Electric heaters: convector, radiant panel or oil-filled radiator?

Choose the heat and controls your room needs, without paying for miracle claims.

The answer in 2 lines. Convectors heat circulating air; radiant heaters direct warmth towards people and surfaces; oil-filled radiators warm more slowly and release stored heat as they cool. None creates free heat. Choose for the space, occupancy and controls, then compare the full installed cost and your electricity tariff. If replacing the main heating, consider storage heating and heat pumps before committing to direct electric radiators throughout the home.

The first 3 steps

Define the job: occasional warmth at a desk, heating an occupied room, or replacing the home’s main heating.
Record the room size, insulation, existing heating and electricity tariff. Ask for sizing based on heat loss rather than a generic room-area rule.
Request a written comparison covering controls, installation, electrical work and expected use, as well as the heater’s purchase price.

Stop: danger

Fire risk: keep portable heaters away from curtains, bedding and furniture. Never cover them or use them to dry washing.
Electrical warning signs: stop using a heater if its plug or socket shows scorching, crackling or overheating. Arrange a qualified electrician before using that connection again.

Compare how the heat reaches you

Type	How it feels	What to check
Convector or panel heater	Warms air that circulates around the room	Thermostat, timer and clear airflow
Radiant or infrared heater	Direct warmth towards people and surfaces in front	Position, coverage and safe clearances
Oil-filled radiator	Slower warm-up; heat continues during cooling	Control quality, response time and hot surfaces

Names can be misleading: a panel may be a convector or a radiant product. Read how it works. The Centre for Sustainable Energy’s room-heater guide, reviewed in January 2026 explains which heat delivery suits whole-room or brief local use.

What actually affects the bill

Direct electric heaters convert electricity into heat with essentially the same efficiency. A heavier core changes when heat is released; it does not make the electricity already consumed disappear.

Running cost depends on power, operating time, thermostat cycling and your tariff. For an estimate, multiply the heater’s power in kilowatts by your electricity unit price and the time it actually heats. Use your own tariff rather than an old online example.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy’s electric-heating guide, reviewed in June 2026 explains direct heating, tariffs and alternative systems. Use its room-heater section before comparing running-cost claims.

What not to do

Accepting a large savings claim without its assumptions about temperature, heating hours and the previous system.
Assuming that heat released after switching off was free.
Replacing storage heaters without checking how the replacement matches your tariff and occupancy.
Powering a portable heater through an extension lead or leaving it running while asleep.

Compare the whole heating plan

Storage heaters charge during cheaper electricity periods and release heat later. Direct electric radiators generally use electricity when warmth is needed. A heat pump works differently, moving heat rather than generating it directly. The Energy Saving Trust’s electric-heating guide explains these choices; read its system comparison before replacing the main heating.

For an owner in England, start with GOV.UK’s home-energy recommendations service. Select “Start now”, enter the property details and review suggested improvements, estimated costs and next steps. The service also covers Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate advice routes linked there.

Check the quote and installation

Ask whether the price includes removal, controls, electrical connections and making good. Have fixed wiring and circuit suitability assessed by a qualified electrician. Portable and permanently connected heaters have different installation instructions.

For claims about energy savings, use the questions in GOV.UK’s consumer guide to green heating products. Ask for written projections based on your property and read the terms before agreeing.

Good to know

Use Electrical Safety First’s portable-heater checklist to check positioning, plugs and safe operation before switching on.
For placement precautions, read the heater section of London Fire Brigade’s guidance; keep heat clear of clothing and furnishings.
No universal purchase-price ranking or guaranteed saving applies to all electric-heater types. Compare actual specifications and complete quotes.

Illustrative example: in Sheffield, Priya considers replacing every heater with premium electric radiators. She first checks her tariff, lists when rooms are occupied and requests a complete installed quote. She compares controls and a whole-home heating assessment before deciding whether replacing working equipment is worthwhile.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 6 November 2026, for England. Confidence: high for direct electric heating principles, the distinction from storage heating and heat pumps, and portable-heater precautions; medium for which system suits a particular property. The efficiency figure appears in UK energy advice reviewed in 2026; it is not a measured household saving. No current national price or tariff estimate is claimed.