With the constant rising costs of electricity in Ireland and Europe, people are searching for alternative and more efficient ways to heat their homes. Electric radiators are becoming an increasingly popular choice, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional gas and oil-fired systems.
Unfortunately, energy-saving electric radiators are still quite expensive, but there are a few models on the market that are more reasonably priced – and would be perfect for people on a budget.
Highlights – Most Efficient Electric Heaters Ireland.
| Best Portable Heater for Small Space | Dimplex OFRB7N Mini Electric Radiator |
| Most affordable | Dreo Space Heater Atom One |
| Most Powerful | Pro Breeze® 2500W Electric Oil Radiator |
| Best Overall | Dimplex 1.5kW Oil-Free Eco Radiator |
4 Best Electric Heaters Ireland Under €100.
1. Dimplex OFRB7N Mini Electric Radiator – €75
Most Portable
Pros.
- Highly Rated – 4.6/5 stars from nearly 500 reviews, indicating strong buyer satisfaction.
- Affordability – Provides efficient heating without a hefty price tag.
- Ideal for Small Spaces – Perfect for heating small rooms, offices, or cozy lounges with 700 watts of heat.
- Portability – Lightweight and quiet, making it easy to move around different rooms.
- Energy Efficiency – Thermostat control for maintaining comfortable temperatures, heats up 30% faster than oil radiators, and uses 9% less energy.
- Warranty – Offers a generous 3-year warranty.
- Fast Delivery – Rapid delivery within 4 days, eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime.
Cons.
- Limited Heating Capacity – Might not be suitable for larger rooms or spaces requiring higher wattage for effective heating.
- Not Suitable for Intense Cold – May struggle to provide sufficient warmth in extremely cold climates or drafty environments.
2. Dimplex 1.5kW Oil-Free Eco Radiator – €90
Our Favourite
Pros
- Amazon’s Choice – Recognized with the Amazon’s Choice tag for being popular, reliable, affordable, and available for immediate delivery.
- Variety of Heating Outputs – Offers a 1.5kW heat output, with an additional 2kW option available for those needing more heating power.
- Efficient Technology – Oil-free technology enables up to 30% faster warm-up and uses up to 9% less energy compared to oil-filled heaters. Low maintenance and a low carbon footprint.
- Generous Warranty – Comes with a full 3-year guarantee, providing added assurance compared to many other heaters at a similar price point.
Cons
- Delivery Time – Requires at least 9 days delivery if you’re not on Prime, which might not suit urgent heating needs or immediate use.
Overall, the Dimplex 1.5K Oil-free radiator offers efficient heating options with faster warm-up and energy-saving technology, but potential buyers should consider the longer delivery timeframe.
3. Pro Breeze® 2500W Electric Oil Radiator – €97
Most Powerful
Pros
- Amazon’s Choice – Recognized as an Amazon’s Choice product for affordability, reliability, and quick delivery.
- Highly Rated – Boasts a reliable 4.5 stars out of 5 from over 2500+ ratings, indicating strong trust and satisfaction among buyers.
- Portable & Affordable – Offers value for money without compromising on quality, providing energy-saving heating.
- 24-Hour Timer – Enhances energy efficiency by allowing users to schedule heating times, optimizing comfort while reducing overall energy usage.
- Energy-Saving & Safety Features – Built-in overheat protection, safety tip-over switch, and automatic thermal shutoff ensure safety in any unsafe situations.
- Multiple Modes – Fully adjustable thermostat and 3 heat settings (2500W, 1300W, and 1200W) enable precise temperature control and flexibility.
- Fast Delivery & Free Shipping – Delivery within 3 days and qualifies for free delivery on Amazon Prime.
Cons
- Limited Delivery Speed: While relatively fast, it might not be as immediate as other products with longer delivery timeframes.
Overall, the Pro Breeze® 2500W Oil Filled Radiator offers a range of features including safety, energy efficiency, and multiple modes for temperature control, but potential buyers should note the delivery timeframe.
4. Dreo Space Heater Atom One – €55
Most Affordable
Pros
- Highly Rated – Boasts an impressive 4.6/5 stars on Amazon from over 800+ buyer reviews, indicating high-quality and buyer satisfaction.
- Ideal for Large Rooms – Specifically designed to efficiently heat up to 26m² of space.
- Energy-Saving Modes – Offers 4 modes (High, Low, ECO, Fan) for personalized comfort. The ECO mode adjusts power based on surrounding temperature, optimizing warmth while reducing heating costs.
- Fast Heating – Utilizes a DC motor and 9 blades to output 1500W high-powered PTC ceramic heating, heating spaces much faster than traditional electric heaters using AC motors and fewer blades.
- 2-Year Warranty – Provides a substantial 2-year warranty, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.
Cons
- Limited Heating Capacity – Might not be suitable for larger rooms.
What are the Advantages of Electric Radiators over Oil and Gas?
1. Green and Efficient
First and foremost, electric radiators are much more efficient than their gas counterparts. Over the years, gas systems have largely remained the same – but electric heating has been constantly evolved as an energy efficient alternative. In fact, they can be up to 30% more efficient, which means that you’ll save money on your energy bills in the long run.
2. Less Noise
Gas systems can be far noisier due to hot water rushing through the pipes. Sometimes, it sounds much like a kettle boiling. This water rushing can sometimes become an issue in the long term, due to a build-up of sludge or limescale. So you might need a power flushing service to remove the build-up.
3. Cheaper and Easy to Install
Another advantage of electric radiators is that they’re very easy to install. Gas-fired systems need to be vented and require a professional installation, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. Electric radiators, on the other hand, can simply be plugged into a standard electrical outlet.
4. Safe
Finally, electric radiators are much safer than gas-fired systems as they do not burn fuel to generate heat. There’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or explosions, making them the perfect choice for homes with young children or pets.
5. Long-term Value for Money.
Even though gas is cheaper to run on the daily than electricity, electric heating is cheaper to install than gas, has no maintenance costs and lasts for up to 50% longer than the average gas boiler. It is also 100% efficient, meaning all the electricity you use and pay for converts into heat.
What Tips Should I Consider when Buying an Energy Efficient Electric Heater?
As we have established above, electric radiators are a great way to heat your home and can be very cost effective. There are a few things you need to consider when purchasing a low cost, energy-saving electric radiator:
RATING MODEL
Firstly, make sure you choose an Energy Rating A model – this will ensure that your electric radiator is highly efficient and will help to keep your energy bills down.
ROOM SIZE
Consider the size of the room or space that you need to heat. Electric radiators come in a variety of sizes, so it’s important to buy one that is appropriately sized for the space.
HEAT LEVEL
Next, think about the level of heat you need. Some electric radiators come with multiple settings, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
EXTRA FEATURES
Finally, take into account any special features that you might want or need. Some electric radiators come with timers, so you can set them to turn on and off at specific times. Others have built-in thermostats, so they can maintain a consistent temperature.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can be sure to purchase an electric radiator that is well-suited to your needs.
Do Oil-filled Heaters cost a lot to Operate?
According to Delonghi, oil filled radiators are more economical to run because they retain heat longer. Also power demand through the temperature control is called upon less frequently.
Electric heaters on the other hand, heat only the room you are in and not the entire house. Thereby providing extra heat only where required and helping to optimise energy consumption.
Which is Better & Safer? Oil-Free or Oil-Filled Radiators?
Oil free, or dry radiators tend to be safer than oil filled radiators. This is simply because they don’t contain any oil at all, thereby greatly reducing the risk of the oil leaking or the radiator rupturing.
Is 2kW Expensive to Run?
According to a report carried out by Express, while 2kW is beneficial in terms of allowing greater control over the temperature and position in your home, they’re not cheap to run.
In fact, even under the current energy price caps, a 2kW electric fan heater costs 56p per hour to use on full power.
How Else Can I Heat my Home Cheaply This Winter?
Nu Age Plumbing’s Top 10 tips include the following:
- Do not block heater with furniture
- Consider adding insulation.
- Invest in a terracotta heater
- Add a shelf to the space just above your radiator.
- Stop your chimney from causing draughts by blocking it
- Invest in rugs
For more recommendations, see below:
