Found the right radiator but confused about wattage? Found a heater that is energy efficient and would look great in your home but not sure what size should you select? “What size of electric heater should I buy?” is a question we get asked all the time.
Each electric heater in our product range has a wide choice of sizes, often with up to 6 different sizes available. Each size has a different wattage. This can be confusing. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you get the right radiator for your room.
Calculating the wattage you need – the easy way
We have created a handy wattage calculator to help you select the right heating options for your room. Simply measure the width and length of your room, answer a few additional questions, and the wattage required for your room will be calculated.
Then you simply select the electric heaters that together add up to the required wattage. For example, if the required watts for your room is 1200w, you could use two 600w radiators to heat it.
Use the heating wattage calculator
More information about wattage
This refers to the heat output of an electric radiator. The value for each of our radiators is the maximum amount of heat it will output.
Calculating the cost of electric heaters
Each radiator you can purchase from us has a wattage value. You can use this wattage value to calculate the running cost of each radiator by using the pence per kWh provided by your energy supplier.
Top wattage tips
Don’t underestimate the wattage you need
You may be tempted to buy smaller radiators than your wattage recommends, however, this can actually be less efficient as you will possibly make your radiators work harder to heat your room. This, of course, will ensure higher running costs.
The highest value isn’t necessarily the right choice
More isn’t always better. If you pick a high wattage radiator for a small room, you may damage the radiator. Buying an 1800-watt radiator that’s on sale for a room that only needed an 800-watt radiator may end up costing you more money than you would save.
Insulation is an important factor
Your room can’t retain the heat produced by a radiator very effectively without good insulation in the walls and ceilings. So it’s important to sort insulation first if you can. Otherwise, you will need to select a radiator that is slightly bigger than normal for your size of room.
Lots of windows? Older windows? Single pane windows?
The quantity and condition of your windows will have a big influence on how easy (or difficult) your room is to heat effectively. For example, you can select a smaller heater for a room with modern double-glazed windows. If the same sized room has older, single pane windows, or an additional window, you may wish to select a heater that’s a size larger.
How high are your ceilings
Some older properties have high ceilings. This is more space to heat up so rooms with high ceilings require a radiator that is larger than would be considered normal for that size of room.
Location, location, location
Where you live has a huge influence on the number of watts you need to heat your rooms. For example, if your home is in North Scotland, you will need more heat than someone living in the South of Scotland as the temperature is consistently colder.
Replacing an older electric heater?
If you are upgrading an older electric heater to a new shiny electric radiator, you should aim to match the wattage. Installing a new radiator with a higher output may damage your circuits and wiring. If in doubt, please contact our helpful team of electric experts.
Using another source of heat?
If your room already has an existing heat source, for example, a central heating system, you should take this into consideration when working out what electric radiator you need. This is where our team of heating experts may come in handy to help you work things out!
If in doubt, contact our friendly team
We’re happy to give you some initial advice over the phone. But we can be most helpful if we can make an assessment of your room heating needs in person. Simply call our team to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.