When it comes to choosing a home heating solution, oil filled radiators offer not only stylish designs and cutting-edge WiFi programming but also impressive efficiency. If you’re wondering just how much electricity they use, you’re in the right place. Here we take a look at their energy-saving features, plus our top tips on keeping your electricity bills in check when using oil filled radiators.
In this article
- How much electricity do oil filled radiators use?
- Do oil filled radiators use more electricity than other types?
- How do oil filled radiators save energy?
- Best practices for using oil filled radiators
- Energy-saving features to look out for
- Cost comparison: Oil filled radiators vs alternative heating methods
- Understanding wattage and real-world consumption
- Seasonal considerations for maximum efficiency
How much electricity do oil filled radiators use?
Like all electric radiators, electricity consumption depends on several factors. First and foremost is your radiator’s wattage. The larger the room or the colder the environment, the higher the wattage needed to maintain comfortable temperatures.
Here’s the good news – oil filled radiators are remarkably efficient. They’re designed with heat-retentive thermal fluid and built-in energy-saving features, meaning they typically won’t need to run at their full output capacity. The oil inside these radiators retains heat exceptionally well, continuing to warm your room even after the radiator has stopped drawing power. This thermal retention is what makes oil filled radiators particularly economical for long term use.
On top of that, if your home is well-insulated and has a good energy rating, you can expect even greater savings, as the heat produced will remain trapped in your living space rather than escaping through poorly sealed windows or doors.
Do oil filled radiators use more electricity than other types?
Oil filled radiators don’t inherently use more electricity compared to ceramic or dry thermal radiators – but there’s one important consideration to keep in mind. If you treat an oil filled radiator like a panel heater or dry thermal radiator – that is, turning it on only when you need a quick burst of heat – it can end up consuming more electricity than necessary.
Since the oil needs time to heat up and circulate throughout the entire radiator, it’s a slower process compared to the rapid heat conductivity of oil-free heaters. This means oil filled radiators are best suited for consistent, long-term heating rather than quick warm-ups.
Where oil filled radiators truly excel is in their ability to maintain temperatures efficiently over extended periods. Once the thermal fluid reaches optimal temperature, the radiator requires less electricity to maintain warmth, ultimately saving energy compared to heaters that constantly cycle on and off.
How do oil filled radiators save energy?
Oil filled radiators save energy through several innovative mechanisms
Superior heat retention
The thermal fluid inside these radiators is specifically engineered to hold heat for extended periods. This means that even after the radiator stops drawing electricity, it continues to radiate warmth into your space, maximising energy efficiency.
Individual room control
With programmable features in modern oil filled radiators, you can create bespoke heating schedules for different areas of your home. This zoned approach ensures you’re only heating spaces when necessary, dramatically reducing energy waste.
Precision thermostats
Today’s oil filled radiators come equipped with highly accurate digital thermostats, many of which are precise to within 0.5°C. This prevents energy wastage through overheating and maintains your desired temperature with minimal fluctuation.
Adaptive technologies
Advanced models like ATC’s Sun Ray RF and iLifestyle radiators feature intelligent PID control and adaptive start functionality, which learn your room’s heating characteristics and optimise energy consumption accordingly.
Best practices for using oil filled radiators
To maximise efficiency and minimise electricity consumption, follow these expert tips:
- Use programming features – Set schedules that align with your daily routine rather than keeping the radiator on constantly.
- Maintain consistent temperatures – Oil filled radiators work most efficiently when maintaining a steady temperature rather than being repeatedly turned on and off.
- Position strategically – Place your radiator away from drafts and external walls for optimal performance.
- Leverage open window detection – Choose models with this feature, which automatically reduces output when it detects a sudden temperature drop from an open window.
- Consider room insulation – Well-insulated spaces retain heat better, allowing your radiator to work less and consume less electricity.
Energy-saving features to look out for
When selecting an oil filled radiator, these energy-efficient features can significantly reduce electricity consumption:
PID Intelligent Control
This technology continuously measures room temperature and adjusts the radiator’s output accordingly, preventing energy wastage through unnecessary heating.
Open Window Technology
Automatically detects sudden temperature drops indicating an open window, pausing heating to avoid wasting energy.
Adaptive Start
This smart feature learns how long your room takes to reach desired temperatures and adjusts start times accordingly, ensuring comfort without wasted energy.
WiFi Connectivity
Remote control via smartphone apps allows you to adjust settings from anywhere, ensuring your heating is only on when needed.
Multiple Operating Modes
Options like Eco, Comfort, and Frost Protection provide versatile settings for different scenarios, helping optimise energy use.
Cost comparison: Oil filled radiators vs alternative heating methods
When considering the electricity usage of oil filled radiators, it’s helpful to compare them with alternative heating methods:
Gas central heating
While gas is typically cheaper per unit than electricity, oil filled radiators offer zoned heating capabilities that can offset this difference by allowing you to heat only the rooms you’re using rather than the entire house.
Storage heaters
Traditional storage heaters charge overnight and release heat throughout the day regardless of need. Modern oil filled radiators provide greater control, potentially resulting in lower electricity usage by heating only when required.
Portable fan heaters
Though fan heaters warm up quickly, they consume significant electricity during operation and provide no residual heat once turned off. Oil filled radiators, while slower to warm up, continue radiating heat after power is cut, resulting in better overall efficiency for sustained heating.
Infrared panels
While infrared panels are energy-efficient alternatives, they work differently by heating objects rather than air. Oil filled radiators remain superior for consistent ambient warmth in larger spaces and during extended periods.
Understanding wattage and real-world consumption
Understanding the relationship between wattage and actual electricity consumption is crucial for managing energy costs:
Typical wattage ranges
Most domestic oil filled radiators range from 400W to 2500W, with larger models suited to bigger spaces. However, unlike many other electrical appliances, radiators rarely operate continuously at their maximum wattage.
Thermostat cycling
Once your room reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat will cycle the heating element on and off to maintain it. Advanced models with PID control optimise this cycling for maximum efficiency.
Actual consumption calculation
To estimate the electricity consumption of your oil filled radiator, multiply its wattage by the operational hours, then factor in the thermostat cycling. For example, a 1500W radiator operating for 6 hours might only draw full power for 3-4 of those hours due to thermostat regulation, resulting in 4.5-6 kWh of electricity used.
Seasonal considerations for maximum efficiency
Optimising your oil filled radiator usage throughout the changing seasons can further enhance energy efficiency:
Autumn preparation
As temperatures begin to drop, use your radiator’s programming capabilities to set moderate temperature targets for morning and evening comfort while keeping settings lower during warmer daylight hours.
Winter optimisation
During the coldest months, maintain a baseline temperature rather than allowing rooms to cool completely, as reheating consumes more electricity than maintaining a modest temperature. The adaptive start function on ATC’s iLifestyle and Sun Ray RF radiators is particularly valuable during this season.
Spring adjustments
As weather improves, gradually adjust your radiator’s settings to account for increasing natural warmth. Open window detection becomes especially useful during this transitional season when temperature variations can be significant.
Summer occasional use
Even in summer, British weather often calls for occasional heating. For these sporadic needs, take advantage of your radiator’s timer functions rather than leaving it on standby, ensuring it’s only consuming electricity when genuinely needed.
ATC UK’s Energy-Efficient Oil Filled Radiators
ATC UK, established in 1991, has evolved into a solution-oriented company designing energy-efficient products that meet market needs. Their range of oil filled radiators combines quality, safety, and elegant design with advanced energy-saving technologies.
Varena
This aesthetically pleasing radiator is designed with both installers and end-users in mind. Filled with high-quality thermal emission oil for efficient heat-up times, it features an easy-to-read TFT display and multiple operating modes including Eco, Comfort, and Frost Protection. Its Open Window Technology and 7-day programming capabilities further enhance energy efficiency.
iLifestyle Electric Thermal Radiator
This award-winning, WiFi-connected radiator offers exceptional control options, including smartphone app compatibility and Amazon Alexa voice control. Its PID Intelligent Control helps users save energy while maintaining optimal comfort, and features like Adaptive Start and Open Window Technology further reduce unnecessary electricity consumption.
Sun Ray RF Electric Thermal Radiator
Leading the way for sustainable living, this advanced radiator offers both app controllability and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Available in white or black, it includes four operating modes, PID Intelligent Control, and Open Window Technology. The added low surface temperature option makes it ideal for family homes where safety is a priority.
By choosing an oil filled radiator with advanced energy-saving features and following best practices for use, you can enjoy comfortable, consistent warmth throughout your home while keeping electricity consumption – and your energy bills – firmly under control.
Get in touch today to find out which radiator is right for you and your project.
