Electric ch or Electric boiler

[triptic6]

We have just moved into our new home which originally had electric wall heaters in every room. The previous owner then had an electric water heater installed to drive water radiators instead. She did this after a recommendation from her plumber but doesn't know why. Both types of radiator are now installed in every room, but we don't know which to use.

Can anyone speculate why this was done and why water radiators (+ pump, electric water heater, expansion tanks etc) are better than electric heaters?

(the new system does not provide hot water, just heating).

Many thanks,
Peter.

 

[stem]

There could be several reasons.

The wet central heating could be adapted to be used with solid fuel, oil or gas in the future.

Older separate electric heaters had to be switched on and off individually as required. The central heating version would provide single central point of overall control. [Some more modern electric heaters do have a control wire for remote control]

Some types of electric heater, such as convectors have their heating elements directly in contact with the air, and because these elements get very hot (Approx 800 degrees C if they glow red) some feel that they tend to dry the air more than a liquid filled radiator where the surface area in contact with the air has a much lower temperature of 80 degrees C

Her plumber was a very good salesman.

 

[flameport]

In terms of operating cost there will be no difference - both will be ridiculously expensive.
The wet system would have cost a substantial sum to install, the individual heaters far less.

In any case, look at getting gas or oil installed, which will be substantially cheaper to run.

 

[endecotp]

It isn't a heat pump, by any chance?
(Probably not, but otherwise it's hard to think why the previous owner would have chosen this.)

 

[stem]

It isn't a heat pump, by any chance?

Heat pumps on their own don't generate high enough temperatures for traditional radiators. They are only used with underfloor heating, or blown air systems.

In terms of operating cost there will be no difference

Unless one of them uses some form of 'off peak' storage.