The future of home heating Exploring energy efficiency in electric radiators

Why electric radiators are shaping the future of heating

Although often viewed as secondary heating options in the past, electric radiators are increasingly becoming a primary choice in homes today. As the energy grid becomes greener and consumer preferences shift in the direction of smarter and cleaner technologies, a clear trend towards electrification is noticeable. At Myson, we perceive a few key reasons for this shift:

• Unmatched efficiency: electric radiators are 100% efficient as they convert all the electricity they use into heat without energy loss. This means they don’t produce any waste heat as opposed to boiler systems that can lose a small amount of energy during combustion and through piping systems. This inherent efficiency makes them an attractive choice for homes and businesses prioritizing sustainability.

• Compatibility with renewable energy: Europe’s electricity grid is rapidly decarbonizing, with renewable sources like wind and solar photovoltaics making up a significant portion of the energy mix1. This shrinks the carbon footprint of electric radiators and positions them as a cornerstone technology for achieving net-zero emissions goals. For HVAC professionals, this means more demand for retrofits and electric radiator installs in energy-efficient new builds or code-compliant projects.

• Ease of installation: electric radiators are straightforward to install since they only require a power connection. This makes them ideal for retrofits, renovations, and supplemental heating needs in older buildings.

• Economic benefits for the end user: while electricity prices are generally higher than gas, the operational savings from energy-efficient electric radiators offset the upfront costs over time. According to the EU's Ecodesign regulations, updated standards are expected to save European consumers €7.9 billion by 2040 through reduced energy consumption and improved performance2.

• No maintenance: electric radiators require no maintenance, unlike hydronic radiators that need to be cleaned and bled once a year.

Innovation and product design of electric radiators

Although most people are aware of the benefits listed above, it’s still a challenge to overcome misconceptions about the design of electric radiators, especially relating to their sustainability and safety.

“In the last 20 years, electric radiators have evolved greatly” says Yann Apruzzese, Global Product Manager Electric Radiators at Purmo Group. “New technologies and new designs have turned a very basic product offer with only horizontal electric radiators into a vast range with numerous fitting options, including oil-filled electric radiators, vertical radiators and designer electric radiators. Price is, of course, still an important factor but customers are also demanding products that are as sustainable as possible, and preferably come with all the required certifications and EPDs. The latter are currently in the works for our electric radiators and are expected to be available in the course of 2025.”

Modern features such as thermostats with a precision of 0.2°C, open window detection, programming, etc, are integrated in almost all our electric radiators. These features avoid wasting energy and allow users to tailor their heating system according to their needs, for optimal comfort and energy efficiency. “In addition, we are constantly looking at how we can reduce our products’ footprint. For our Rio Plus radiators, for example, we currently use carbon offset steel, and our electric range is at the front of the queue for use of the green steel that we will purchase from 2026 onwards. Once our electric radiators reach the end of their lifecycle, their components can be easily recycled. The only exception is the vegetable oil in our oil-filled products, but this is biodegradable.”

Read more about our sustainable procurement

Smart features revolutionising electric radiators

Electric radiators have already come a long way but there is always something new around the corner like, for example, smart controls and adaptive learning technologies. These innovations allow users to tailor their heating schedules to their specific needs, wherever and whenever they want. Our Rio Plus electric radiators can easily be connected to the Unisenza Plus gateway, allowing for remote control via the Unisenza Plus app. If a home automation system, such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa, is installed, the energy-efficient electric radiators can even be voice controlled. Importantly, every radiator can be controlled separately, so users can save money and minimise energy waste by only heating the rooms they’re actually using.

Yann concludes: “Advancements in connectivity and automation combined with the increasing demand for convenience and energy efficiency drives the evolution of smart technology. On top of more sustainable materials that are becoming available and the electricity grid that is rapidly decarbonizing, this technology is a key element that will undoubtedly help to make electric radiators even more sustainable and energy-efficient in the near and further future.”

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts if you have any questions about how to integrate electric radiators in your projects. We will gladly assist in any way we can.

Sources

1. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/share-of-energy-consumption-from

2. Commission adopts new Ecodesign rules for local space heaters - European Commission