Heating Blog | Thermosphere

Electric radiators in 2025, some pros and some cons:

Written by Jacob Bottley | Oct 20, 2025

Electric heating has been on the march for a while now, but in 2025 it’s no longer the quirky alternative—it’s mainstream. More and more homeowners are asking the big question: should I stick with what I know (gas and wet heating), or is it time to go electric? For installers, that question has become unavoidable too, as customers want guidance not just on the boiler but on every part of their heating system.

In this blog, we’re digging into where electric radiators fit into the picture in 2025. We’ll look at how they compare to traditional wet systems, explore the differences between types of electric radiators and give you an honest run-down of the pros and cons so you can decide what’s right for your home, or recommend the right product to your customers.

 

Wet vs electric: Where to start

Let’s start with the familiar. Wet underfloor heating systems powered by a gas boiler have been the standard in the UK for decades. They’re everywhere, they’re well understood and almost every plumber or installer is comfortable working with them. They connect into a central heating system that warms up the entire property at once, which is great for large homes where you want consistent heat throughout. That sense of “it’s just the done thing” still carries weight.

But wet systems aren’t perfect. For one, they’re not particularly efficient. A modern gas boiler might run at around 85% efficiency on paper, but that’s before you start losing heat as it circulates through pipes and radiators across the whole house. Every time you turn it on, you’re firing up the whole boiler and pushing heat everywhere, even to rooms you don’t need, which means slower warm up times and of course more wasted cost.

This is where electric radiators come into their own. They’re cheaper to buy upfront and easier to install—any qualified electrician can handle it without needing to rework the whole house. Instead of a single boiler serving every radiator, each unit is standalone. That means you can heat just the spaces you’re using. Working from your study? Switch on the radiator there and leave the rest of the house off. Electric radiators heat up quickly, are simple to control and give you the freedom to think of heating in zones.

Of course, the elephant in the room is running costs. Electricity prices are still higher per unit than gas and Ofgem has made that clear in their recent updates. But with smart controls, zoned heating and more renewable electricity feeding into the grid each year, electric heating can be far more efficient in practice than it looks on paper. Use it sensibly and you might be surprised at how competitive it can be.

🔌Electric Radiators🔌

Convector Panel Heaters

If you’re on a budget, convector heaters are the place to start. There is an element within the heater that has water in, the element heats the water and warm air rises, pulling cool air in the bottom and over the heating element which is in turn heated and rises out of the heater. The big win here is speed. Convector heaters are quick to warm up and make a room feel cosy fast. Another advantage is how straightforward they are: no moving parts, no fluid inside, just plug in and heat. That simplicity means they’re virtually maintenance-free and easy for anyone to use.

The trade-off is durability. Because the element is constantly heating up and cooling down, these systems don’t last as long as other types of electric radiators. They’re ideal for smaller spaces or occasional use, but if you’re running them hard every day you may find they need replacing sooner. At ThermoSphere, our convector heaters come with a two-year warranty, which reflects their intended use as a cost-effective, fast-heating option.

♨️Convector Panel Heater♨️

Oil filled radiators

Oil filled radiators are where things get more interesting. Instead of just heating air, they heat a reservoir of thermal oil inside the unit, which then radiates warmth into the room. This makes them closer to the feeling of a traditional wet system, with steady, comfortable radiant heat, rather than just warm air flow.

Compared to convectors, oil-filled radiators are around 36% more efficient. The difference comes down to how they deliver heat. Instead of relying purely on airflow, oil-filled radiators also use radiant heat, which warms up objects and people in the room directly as well as gently heating the air. That means you feel cosy without the constant blast of moving air. They take a little longer to warm up, but they also stay warm for longer once switched off, meaning you don’t need to run them for as long to enjoy comfort. It’s a different kind of heating experience, gentler, more even and often more pleasant for day-to-day living because radiant heat simply feels more natural than airflow heating. Oil filled heaters often have more advanced electronics allowing for more accurate control of your heating which positively influences comfort and efficiency.

Because they’re closer to the performance of a wet system but without the complexity of pipes and boilers, oil-filled radiators are often the sweet spot for people wanting to retrofit electric heating. With ThermoSphere, they’re backed by a market-leading five-year warranty, which gives peace of mind about longevity and performance for installers and homeowners alike.

♨️Oil Filled Radiator♨️

Glass panel heaters

If style matters just as much as substance, glass panel heaters are hard to beat. They’re sleek, modern and look more like a design feature than a utility. But don’t be fooled, they’re not just pretty faces. Glass panel heaters combine convector-style airflow with some radiant heat from the glass surface, so you get a quick boost of warm air and a steady radiant effect.

ThermoSphere’s glass panel heaters (available in white or black) take things up a notch by being Wi-Fi enabled. That means you can control them from your phone, set schedules and make sure you’re only heating the spaces you need, when you need them. For people who want heating that looks good, feels good and fits seamlessly into a modern home, this is the premium choice. Much like our oil-filled range, they’re protected by a five-year warranty, underlining their reliability.

♨️Glass Panel Heater♨️

Running costs in 2025

Here’s the reality: per unit, electricity is still more expensive than gas. That hasn’t changed. But running costs aren’t just about tariffs, they’re about how you use your heating. A gas boiler might look cheaper on paper, but remember you’re heating the whole house every time, losing efficiency in the pipes and often running the system longer than you actually need.

Electric radiators on the other hand, let you heat rooms individually, warm them up faster and switch them off the moment you don’t need them. Add in a smart thermostat or app control and you can fine-tune usage so you’re not wasting energy. For smaller homes, home offices or people who just want to control room by room, the running costs can be surprisingly competitive. Especially if you’re on a renewable tariff or have solar panels feeding your system.

🔲⭕Check Out our Thermostats⭕🔲

Final thoughts

So, what’s the verdict on electric radiators in 2025? The truth is, they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. Wet systems still make sense for big homes with existing infrastructure and households that want whole-property heating in one go. But electric radiators are easier to install, cheaper to buy, faster to heat up and far more flexible for modern living.

For homeowners, it’s about deciding what fits your lifestyle best. For installers, it’s about having the knowledge to recommend the right product in the right situation. Either way, with energy efficiency and home comfort becoming bigger priorities than ever, electric radiators deserve their place in the conversation. Check out the range of electric radiators Thermosphere offer, or request a quote today!

🔥Electric Radiators🔥                💻Request A Quote💻

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Questions?

Contact us via the website, or give one of the team a call on 01622 689440. Find out more about ThermoSphere by reading of one of our other blogs here.

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