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Phase3 Interior & Exterior Finishing

You’re on your way to building anew home that’s custom madefor you and your family. Nowyou have unparalleled freedomto create the property of yourdreams, and to invest in

materials and technology that will bring you theultimate in comfort and security.

Of course, the heating system will be one ofthe most important elements of your new home.Responsible for around 60 per cent of ahousehold energy bill, it’s an outlay that’s likely toconsume a large chunk of your budget too.Hence, it’s vital that you spend time exploring thewide range of options available to ensure that thesystem best meets your needs and lifestyle.

Whilst every property is unique, there are somekey factors that you will need to consider.Undeniably, whilst energy efficiency and heatingcapabilities are key issues, it’s also important toweigh up safety and reliability concerns. Ratherthan focus solely on the initial outlay andinstallation costs, it also makes sense to considerthe long-term cost and performance of thesystem, as the benefits may become moreapparent over time. Equally, with the growingneed for heating systems to match our lifestyle,controllability is fundamental. Finally, it’simportant that the aesthetics prove a stylishaddition to your new home.

Although 90 per cent of homes in the UK havea traditional gas

central heating system, times are changing.Increasingly, new build and self-build propertiesare turning to electric systems to provide anaffordable energy efficient solution thatcombines safety with versatility, comfort andcontrol. Thanks to new innovations andtechnologies, the electric radiator market hasevolved significantly, with design, efficiency andfunctionality now firmly in line with the self-builder. With a range of radiator styles and colouroptions to choose from, they can also create astatement piece in their own right. So, let’s take acloser look at electric radiators and what makesthem the hero of home heating today.

Energy savingsToday’s radiators are vastly superior to otherelectric systems. Cheaper to install and maintainthan gas systems, they also deliver on runningcosts. There is no need for inflexible electricaltariffs as they are 100 per cent efficient at the pointof use, meaning there is 100 per cent conversion ofelectrical energy input to heat output. Whilstunused areas can be kept at lower temperatures,used areas can be kept at comfort temperatures;thereby saving energy where it’s not needed.

Also, thanks to sophisticated programmingdevices and controls, electric radiators only use theelectricity that’s needed to maintain comfortabletemperatures; and if the electricity is supplied byrenewable technologies, you can even create a

carbon-free home. Some models also feature

integral energy saving monitors that record anddisplay energy consumption, so you’ll always beahead of the game when it comes to running costs.

Heating capabilitiesElectric radiators produce both radiant andconvection heat to provide a longer lasting ‘cosy’warmth. Indeed, with fast heat-up times, it’s quitetypical for models with highly accuratethermostatic controls to only draw power foraround 30-50 per cent of the time in order tomaintain room temperatures. Some even featureopen window detectors that are designed torespond accordingly should a window be left open.

Controls and comfortDue to advances in technology, accurate energysaving digital controls are now commonplace forboth time and temperature flexibility – somebeing +/-0.1°C. Each radiator can be individuallythermostatically controlled so they can be left torun independently, or the whole system can beconnected together, linked to a central roomcontroller and programmed to meet your needs.

Wireless radiators are extremely popular dueto their fully programmable RF controls. Thisfeature is great for new homes as it allows thesystem to be divided into zones to controlseparate floors or areas; thereby saving energy.Smart control systems go one step further.Courtesy of wireless thermostat and controlsbuilt into each radiator, a central touchscreen

By Richard Brown, managing director of Electrorad

The case for

electric radiatorsPhase3

In conjunction with anunobtrusive and easy touse touch screen controlunit that may be wallmounted or free standinganywhere in the home, youcan control all of theheating functions using a

smartphone, tablet or PCcourtesy of

Electrorad’sCleverTouch Appthat is available foriOS and Android

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Phase3Interior & Exterior Finishing

and link to Wi-Fi enables you to control yourheating from your smartphone / tablet App andfrom anywhere in the world.

Installation and durabilityIn terms of capital outlay, electric radiators are lesscostly than other types of systems andconsiderably cheaper to install. They can be sitedalmost anywhere in your home, with larger unitscapable of warming sizeable rooms with ease. Withno pipework or plumbing required, they can alsobe conveniently and easily installed at second fix,plus there’s no requirement for annual servicing.With no moving parts to break down or wear out,they are also extremely reliable. And, if additionalheating needs to be introduced at a later date, youcan easily add more radiators to your system.

Safety and reliabilityThe hot elements within radiators are sealedwithin the metal casing and encased in ceramic orfireclay, or even within fluid. As dust and objectscannot fall onto these elements, they are safe torun and safer to touch. For added peace of mind,some models boast guarantees of up to 30 yearscovering all internal components, such as electricelements, thermal switches and wiring, excludingthe thermostat.

AestheticsWhen it comes to making a design statement,today’s modern, minimalist radiators are

just the ticket. Slimline in design, theycome in all sizes and designs; from sleekvertical models, to compact towel radiatorsthat are ideal for the smallest room in yourhome. Some are identical in appearanceto regular central heating radiators,whilst custom-coloured radiatorsoffer a perfect match for yournew décor.

A great self-build homerequires a great heating system,so it’s definitely worthconsidering high-quality electricradiators for superior energyefficiency and functionality.Not all radiators are of thesame quality however,so it pays to do yourhomework and check thecredentials of your supplier.If something goes wrong furtherdown the line, or you need toextend the system at a later date,it’s important to have completeassurance in their product andservicewww.electrorad.co.uk

The British-made Digi-Line electric radiator fromElectrorad offers an optional RF central programmerthat is capable of separately programming up tofour separate zones to provide the ultimate electriccentral heating system with absolute control overtemperatures, times and energy usage

Right: For self-builders looking for a reliableelectric heating solution, the Aeroflow range ofelectric radiators from Electrorad offers a 30-

year warranty – the most comprehensive of itskind in the industry. These models also boastthree thermostatic control options. A bespoke

colour matching service is also available

Electrorad’s new range of Vanguard aluminium electricradiators now boasts a ceramic plate core to deliverimproved heat retention. Sleek and minimalist, theyare perfect for modern homes

The new wireless programmer for Electrorad’s Digi-Line range of electric radiators – Touch E3. This newcontrol hub with Wi-Fi gateway and App enableswireless control and direct management of yourheating over the internet from anywhere

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