Electric heating hots up

Flexible electric heating is becoming more and more popular in response to the UK’s homes becoming increasingly airtight. Jenny Smith, product marketing manager at Vent-Axia, explains how advances in technology make it an attractive option.

The UK’s heating industry has been in a period of transition ever since the introduction of Part L ‘Conservation of Fuel and Power’ in 2000 which has driven energy efficiency developments to lower carbon emissions and meet UK carbon targets.
At the same time the UK has had to adjust to declining oil and gas reserves. Historically the UK has been fuel rich in the form of gas, but with this in decline electricity generated via other sources becomes vital as we search for a secure and de-carbonised energy supply.
As a result manufacturers of electric heating have developed systems that meet the comfort needs of households and energy efficiency demands of legislation. In addition, increasingly air tight homes mean that heating demands reduce, making flexible electric heating with new controls an attractive option.
Electric heating offers an affordable heating solution for households with low capital and installation costs. The flexibility of the units is an added financial bonus since heaters can be installed as stand-alone heaters or as larger systems.
Using electricity as a fuel the technology is ideal for rural households that are off the gas grid. Meanwhile electric heaters cause little installation disruption since they don’t require the pipework needed by traditional boiler heating systems.
Free of the installation headache of flue siting and pipework, electric heating also has the flexibility to be installed almost anywhere in a room so households locate the heaters where best suits their needs. Almost maintenance free with no moving parts, with electric heating households have the comfort of not needing to worry about costly annual boiler checks.
Ultimately, as we move towards zero carbon homes and a decarbonised energy supply electric heating will become the heating technology of choice. Manufacturers, like Vent-Axia, are ahead of the curve as they prepare for this transition by developing products that meet both the demand and the needs of the market.
This next generation of electric heating offers greater flexibility to households since electric heating quickly warms a room and technological developments mean that accurate controls ensure high energy efficiency.
The new advanced electric heating systems incorporate highly sensitive, integral thermostatic controls. For instance, Vent-Axia’s Opal range of energy efficient aluminium radiators feature dynamic fluid with high thermal inertia and are slim and stylish in design. Featuring controllers that are fully programmable this type of electric heating system offers closer energy management, thus saving money for homeowners.
Ideal for both new build and refurbishment projects the newest electric heating features on-board energy monitors allowing occupiers to see exactly how much energy is being used to heat a room, and thus make an informed decision on thermal comfort.
The inclusion of highly sensitive silent operating digital controlled thermostats accurate to +/- 0.5° allows electric heating to act quickly to maintain consistent room temperature levels, reducing temperature overrun and minimising energy consumption. Allowing homeowners to manage the warmth in their homes to meet their needs the radiators are easy to operate coming with seven heating programs and three temperature settings for comfort, economy and frost protection.
Households can now expect improved efficiency and control across a wide range of electric heating technology. Towel rails are traditionally marketed to homeowners for their aesthetics rather than efficiency. However, the next generation of heated towel rails now quickly and efficiently warms and drys towels while adding to the overall style, temperature and comfort of a room. Vent-Axia’s new range features high quality white or chrome finishes with ten different models, split into flat, curved and designer styles, allowing customers to choose exactly the right towel rails to suit their individual home.
As ever, control is central to the range, with the towel rails featuring an advanced controller offering five heat outputs. Providing an eco-mode ideal for use when drying towels to ensure minimal energy use, the controller turns the rail on full power for 30 minutes and then reduces the output to the user setting for a further 90 minutes, before turning the towel rail off. As a result households have warm dry towels without wasting energy, bringing greater comfort to the towel user but also adding to the overall temperature and comfort of the room.
As we move towards zero carbon homes and a decarbonised energy supply electric heating is set to become the heating technology of choice. Already boasting improved efficiency and control, electric heating offers contractors a technology that promises their customers the operational control, comfort and style they desire.
For further information on all products and services offered by Vent-Axia telephone 0844 856 0590