The cheapest way to heat your home: radiators vs electric heating – a “twice as expensive”

The crisis in the cost of living and the imminent rise in energy prices are forcing households to reassess the way they heat their homes. Express.co.uk spoke to heating and energy expert, Matthew Jenkins of My Job Quote, about the use of radiators versus electric heaters.

Examining whether space heaters are cheaper or more expensive to run than electric space heaters, Matthew said: “Because the average cost of electricity per hour is generally higher than the price of gas, electric space heaters are generally considered more expensive to operate than gas heaters.

“Depending on your electricity provider, off-peak electricity prices can lead to higher costs.

“However, several things can impact how much electricity you use for heating.”

He added: “An electric heater costs twice as much as central heating to heat the same room.

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“Electric heaters, however, can be economically beneficial if you are only heating a small part of your home, such as one or two rooms.

“Although gas is cheaper to use on a day-to-day basis, installation, maintenance and operating costs often make electricity the most affordable alternative for efficiently heating your home.

“However, according to the Energy Saving Trust, electric heaters are the most expensive type of heating,” Matthew continued.

“He claims the cheapest way to heat your home is with a gas central heating system fitted with a full set of thermostatic radiator controls, a room thermostat and a timer.”

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“According to the Energy Saving Trust, it is best to heat your home as needed, as this prevents energy loss throughout the day.

“You should also set the boiler to the lowest setting and keep the heating on a low setting all day.

“Frequently turning the heating on and off always leads to condensation forming inside the walls.

“This condensation can help transfer heat outside the house, which means you’ll lose heat faster and use more energy,” he added.

To ensure radiators are as efficient as possible, homeowners should bleed them before turning them on this fall/winter

Matthew recommends bleeding them “twice a year to avoid wasting extra energy inside your home.”

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