Choosing the Right Electrical Heating System

Once the winter chill sets in, many homeowners will think about how they can stay warm and comfortable indoors.

Choosing the right one for your home is essential if you’re in the market for a new electric heating system. There are various factors to consider when making your decision, from the size of your space to your budget.

Here is a guide to help you make the right choice for your needs.

The Different Types of Electric Heating Systems

Are you heating one room or several?

Will it stay permanently on, or need to reboot on a timer? How quickly do you want the system to heat the space?

The answers to these questions will help determine the type of heating system you need. Choosing the right electric heater can be daunting because there are so many styles and types available.

Electric heating systems vary significantly in price depending on the features you need and want. Radiant heat systems use infrared radiation to heat objects directly rather than heating the air and then blowing the hot air around a room. This is similar to how the stove top on an electric cook distributes heat.

They are commonly used on floors or behind walls and ceilings. They are used to heat large areas because they distribute the heat evenly and quickly.

This type of heating system is inexpensive to install. There are three types of radiant heating:

1. Electric:

Electric radiant heating systems are the most expensive of all three types due to using the most energy.

This type of heating is usually installed in homes using electric cables built into the floor. It is most commonly used in homes where the current heating system would be hard to extend.

2. Air-Heated:

Radiant air-heated systems are not commonly used as they tend to be inefficient in terms of cost.

This is because air can only hold so much heat before it cools down again. These systems are sometimes combined with solar air heating systems, but the UK Department of Energy says that heating your home with a furnace is more efficient than using a radiant air-heated system.

3. Hydronic:

Hydronic radiant heating systems are probably the most cost-effective of the three types, as they pump heated water from your home’s boiler.

As you are most likely aware, boilers pump the heated water through pipes into a heater. This can be effective because it allows you to place them in every room in the house and target different zones to regulate the room temperatures. More importantly, the rooms can be heated independently, so unlike the electric systems, your house does not have to be heated at once.

Some other types of heating systems include electric storage (panel) heaters, infrared panel heaters, and electric radiators. These are mostly used in small rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens.

How to Select the Size of the System You Need

Do you need to heat a small room or an entire house?

The answer to this question will determine the size and type of heater that you need. For example, if you only need to heat a very small room (say 30 square feet), it would be more cost-effective to buy a small heater that costs less.

Top-of-the-range systems can be expensive and considerably costly if you only need to heat a small area for a short period. However, if you need a system that will heat an entire house, you will need a more powerful system.

Be careful, as these systems will probably cost more to run and install.

The Cost of Electric Heating Systems

Electric heating systems are cheaper to install than gas heating systems and are also less expensive to run.

However, they cost more to operate than gas heating systems and can only be installed in areas where electricity is available. One thing to note is that electric heating systems can be used to supplement gas heating systems if you only have a small area of a house that would benefit from an additional heat source.

These heaters can typically be installed through in-slab wiring or hydronic tubing. Installing an electric heating system is quite expensive, so it is a good idea to shop around and compare the prices offered by different suppliers.

Installation and Maintenance of Electric Heating Systems

Usually, it’s a good idea to hire a professional company to install your electric heating system because they have experience in this kind of work.

There are pros and cons if you choose to do it yourself, such as the fact that you can save the installation costs yourself. Still, you will have to do all of the work yourself, so it may take you longer to install the system, and it will all need to be tested after installation to make sure that it is safe to use. In addition to installation, you will have to maintain and repair your electric heating system to ensure that it is working safely, which will require calling a professional company to come out and inspect your system every so often to ensure no problems.

This can be more expensive over the long term and will mean you will need to spend more on maintenance and repairs. On the other hand, you will have to pay less for maintenance and repairs if you choose a professional company to install and maintain your electric heating system.

The Pros and Cons of Electric Heating Systems

There are pros and cons to using an electric heating system in your home; let’s look at both aspects separately.

Although the initial cost of installation can be high, you save money over time because electric heating is very efficient in converting the electricity you use to heat your home. This also means that the system is very safe and environmentally friendly because it doesn’t produce emissions or byproducts that can pollute the environment or cause health problems for your family.

But electric heat isn’t practical for every home since it can’t be used to heat the entire house at once; this makes it perfect if you need supplemental heat or want to add warmth to just one area. When choosing an electric heating system for your home, you will need to consider a few factors to make sure that you buy the right system for your needs.

The size and type of heating system you buy will largely depend on your home’s size and the room you need to heat. Other factors include the cost of running the system and the type and amount of electricity that the system will require to run. With a large selection of heaters on the market, comparing and choosing the right one for your home can seem daunting, but knowing all the necessary information will help you make the best decision for your needs and budget.

Which System is Suitable for Your Home?

Knowing which type of heater is best for your home can be daunting; you have both central heating and electric heating systems to choose from.

Central heating is considered the best option if you have a larger house and natural gas lines, and electric systems are good for smaller homes where central heating is not an option. The most popular electric heating systems include space heaters and radiant heaters; both work well for different reasons and are suitable for different applications.

Space heaters can be portable or fixed and heat a room, which is why they are usually easier to use and cheaper to run. They are more convenient than central heating as you can move them around easily, and you don’t need any gas or electric lines attached.

Radiant heaters are more expensive to run and are usually used when you need to heat the entire house or a whole house extension. While both electric heating systems can be used to provide supplemental heat in smaller rooms, radiant heaters can also be used to heat an entire house in winter.

How to Find the Right Contractor for Installation

Choosing the right contractor to install your heating system is one of the most important decisions, as it will determine your heating system’s efficiency and overall performance for years to come.

If you are installing a new system, consider asking for recommendations from friends and family members who have used reliable contractors in the industry before specialising in heating installation. It is easier to find a recommended contractor than to look blindly for one on the internet, as you will be assured of a quality service that you can depend on in the future.

You should also phone around to get a few quotes and compare their prices as well as the quality of services they offer before making a final choice. While you can do the installation yourself, you need special skills, qualifications, and tools to do the work safely and correctly.

Hiring a professional service provider who will get the job done right the first time with minimal mess and fuss is preferable. If you are installing a new heating system or looking for a professional service provider to inspect your existing heating system, MJH Electrical Services can assist. We are a professional electrical service provider that specialises in the installation, repairs, and maintenance of all types of heating systems for both residential and commercial use.

Summary

When it comes to heating your home, there are various options.

In this guide, we’ve outlined the different types of electric heating systems, how to determine the size you need, and the cost of each system. We’ve also discussed installation and maintenance as well as the pros and cons of each system.

Finally, we provide advice on finding the right contractor for installation. If you have questions about electric heating systems or want a free consultation, get in touch today!