As energy prices continue to climb, more questions arise around the benefits of running oil-filled radiators. Let’s discuss their advantages, disadvantages, and safety measures to take while using them.
Advantages of oil-filled radiators
- Lower energy bills – Certain radiators are cheaper to run than others which you can check by their lowest running power setting, like the 400-watt to 2900-watt radiator we previously covered that will run for 20p an hour.
- Portable – They’re on wheels, so they’re simple to move between rooms without having to lift and carry with you.
- Versatile – Oil-filled radiators can be used anywhere that’s got access to electricity, they’re beneficial as they can be left unattended in any room, patio or garage.
Disadvantages of oil-filled radiators
- Their price – They’re not the cheapest heaters you can buy and are often more expensive than fan-assisted or ceramic core heaters.
- Awkward – They might come on wheels to move around your home, but they can also be bulky and heavy according to the size you buy. Taking the radiator upstairs could be a challenge for you.
- Timely – Although highly efficient, they’re also slow to heat up when compared to fan-assisted heaters that give instant heat.
Are oil-filled radiators cheap to run?
These heaters can warm up your room for as little as 14p per hour during off peak times. This is calculated from running a 400 watt radiator on the lowest setting.
If you’re not sure which size you would need then we’ve covered an article here on the cheapest to run oil-filled radiators by breaking down the costs per hour to run against the size of your room.
Where to place an oil-filled radiator?
The best location for your oil-filled radiator would be in the centre of your room.
Being left in a centralized position in your room means it can draw the cool air equally from all around and heat air evenly rather than being against a wall or in the corner of your room.
Also, there may be considerable heat loss if leaving the radiator directly under a large window because the cold air from the glass is likely to interfere with the warm air.
Can an oil filled radiator be left on all night?
Oil radiators are designed to be very safe in the way they work, and with their built-in thermostats to regulate room temperatures they can be left on throughout the night while you sleep.
You will also find other safety features like tip-over protection, which will turn off the radiator if somebody or your pet accidentally knocks it over on it’s side.
Apart from high surface temperatures if left on a high setting, oil-filled radiators are considered one of the safest cheapest-to-run electric heaters you can confidently leave on unattended in your home or garage.
Final considerations
It’s safe to say the pros outweigh the cons when we see how much we’re saving from using these compared to fan or other convection heaters.
And with their built-in safety features; Oil-filled radiators are more prefered than others as they can be left running even while you sleep.