Electric radiators or heating, which is more economical to use?

In Spain it is already customary to combat the cold of winter with different methods. Just as summer can be inclement, so can winter, especially considering the effects of climate change in recent years, which have intensified temperatures in both seasons.

However, you should consider that using a radiator or any other heating system can involve a much more considerable expense than that caused by the consumption of electricity or water. Therefore, to avoid wasting money and paying too high bills at the end of the month, it is very important that you take into account the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular systems for heating the house: electric radiator or heating.

What is the heating system?

This option for heating the home could be said to be more durable and permanent than an electric radiator. These heating systems are usually combined with other elements, such as cladding, internal pipes, etc.

Depending on the heating system, it can be distributed through several radiators in the different rooms of the house, as well as being made up of a network of pipes inside the walls or the floor. Normally, they work with hot water, which travels under pressure through the pipes and the radiator to emit heat through radiation.

You can also complement these systems with tools and accessories so as not to force the components. In these cases, rugs, thermal curtains or gaskets are still good options to keep the heat in longer.

These heating systems, such as the boilers or the internal pipes of your home, may work with combustion and need, forgive the redundancy, fuel. These may require propane gas, gasoline, diesel or oil, all depending on the system they work with and the requirements of the equipment, as well as the manufacturer’s instructions.

These types of installations can be a little slower to heat, but they reach high temperatures, being suitable for rooms of considerable size and also to make the environment more pleasant in several spaces at the same time.

What are electric radiators?

Electric radiators are devices designed to emit heat through resistors that can be made of different materials (quartz, aluminium, steel, etc.). These are connected to a system that, through radiation, can reach high temperatures and, in turn, increase the ambient temperature.

Fortunately, the market offers many models and also brands that manufacture electric radiators. You can find them with different designs, either in terms of size and weight, which is very important to have freedom when using them.

Radiators are electrical devices that are very simple to use. Most of this equipment will only have to be connected to a socket, turned on and adjusted according to the preferences of each user. They also tend to have more compact dimensions and are lighter so that they are easy to handle and move if you need it. However, it is likely that you will not be able to enjoy power levels as high as other types of systems would offer you depending on the fuel or type of energy with which they work.

You should also consider that some models may have integrated wheels, which will make it easy for you to take them from room to room according to your needs. On the other hand, most work with thermostats: very practical devices so you can regulate the temperature, power, special functions, among many other things.

Other heating options

If you are not convinced by the idea of ​​buying a radiator or installing a heating system at home, do not worry. You have other alternatives available that may be able to meet your needs and even be more practical than those mentioned above.

Thermal panels: one of the most popular products used in domestic heating are thermal panels, also known as radiant floors. It is a system of pipes that, like heating, uses hot water to raise the temperature of the floor. This also has effects on the general environment and can heat entire rooms without any problems. However, before choosing this system, you must take into account that its installation can be much more complex, take more time, hire specialists and builders and, of course, it is more expensive. But, in the long run, it is an easier option to maintain and does not require as much care as the others, being economical to use.

Heat pump: heat pumps are very similar to the compressor of an air conditioner and can even be installed on the wall so as not to take up space on the floor, yes, always outside the house. The pumps can be connected to the heating system as well as to the air conditioners you have at home and provide air at the required temperature without problems. These units have the advantage of being able to offer both hot and cold air, being useful both in summer and winter.

Biomass: If you want to take care of the environment while enjoying comfort at home during the winter, you could consider biomass heating systems. Although it is a relatively new technology in the domestic sphere, it is gaining more and more popularity in Spain due to how cheap it is to use. These systems use organic waste to take advantage of the calorific power of these and transform it to heat your home. You can use waste such as shells, bones, chips, pellets, etc. By using this type of fuel, the biomass system can be very attractive for those who do not want to have to invest in fossil fuel, which is much more expensive in comparison.