Energy efficiency in the home is hugely important when it comes to cutting the cost of living. In the UK, we spent a whopping £106 a month on electricity, gas and other household fuels in 2012. This compares to a mere £69 just a decade earlier, in 2002. This is even accounting for inflation.
So what gives? Shouldn’t technology progress over time, meaning that we consume less energy? Of course, the answer’s yes. But energy prices have risen, offsetting these advances. What this means for the consumer is that it has become more important than ever to take the matter seriously.
This means taking steps to make your home as efficient as possible. Where possible, double-glazing should be installed, as well as insulation for the loft and cavity walls. Another important role is played by your choice of heating system. This can mean the difference between a wasteful household and an efficient one. In what remains of this article, we’ll briefly examine the different sorts of heaters and their merits.
Heaters come in a number of different forms. There are oil-based radiators, electric convection heaters and storage heaters, to name but a few. If you’re looking to save money on your energy bill, then investing in the right heater can make a huge amount of difference to the bottom line. Which leaves the question: which is the best electric heater?
When most people think of the electric heater, they think of the small variety that plug into the wall. These can be activated whenever you like and provide immediate heat as an when they are needed. Some come mounted onto stands which rotate, distributing heat through the room.
The main advantage of a small, portable electric heater is its flexibility. If your working hours vary, this will come in handy, since you might not always be in the house at the same time every day. This means that energy will not be wasted heating an empty home.
Storage heaters are devices designed to save money in an entirely different way. Instead of releasing their heat immediately upon request, they release heat throughout the day. They do this by heating a block of specially-made bricks throughout the night. The bricks then store the heat, radiating it slowly throughout the day. A heater of this sort can work in conjunction with the plumbing system, distributing heat throughout the building.
This approach can be more efficient in places where the energy needs are constant. Since energy is cheaper during the night-time, when demand is less, the use of a storage heater can make sense – but only when the building requires heating every day at roughly the same times.
Advanced, modern heaters, such as those available at Eco Stores Direct, often come equipped with timers and thermostats. These allow you to set a time or temperature threshold at which the heater will activate. Once you’ve set this, you can relax in the knowledge that your heater will do its job without the need for you to come to its aid every so often.
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