Electric radiator

[Fat Lady]

I would like to add a radiator to our lounge but because of the concrete floor etc and long distance from microbore central heating I would like to consider an electric radiator as a cheaper option. Stay with me, the electrical question is coming, I would prefer a more normal looking radiator and so what do people think about using a normal radiator with a heating element, similar to those used in bathroom dual fuel radiators? See the product at the bottom of the following web page

http://www.rads-direct.co.uk/acatalog/LADDER_MUTI_TOWEL_RAIL.html

Would this be OK plugged into a normal 13amp socket? Would it need a circuit breaker socket or would a fused spur be required or is that only in a bathroom situation.

I have also posted something in the plumbing forum about the plumbing aspects of this.

Thanks in advance for your considered opinions

 

[cozycats]

perhaps something like this? http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=69854&ts=53477

There are lots of different looking ones around.

 

[Fat Lady]

Yeah, but they are ugly and just look like oil filled radiators, I want one which will match what I have. There are commercial versions, but they are about £400.00 for a 600mm square unit. See the link below

http://www.easy-heat.co.uk/

Thanks

 

[RF Lighting]

If you were to just run an element like you describe off a 13A socket you would hve no contol over temperature, so when it is plugged in it will get the radiator to full temperature and stay there, with the room getting hotter and hotter.

Rob

 

[cozycats]

The web site seems a bit short of technical info. Does it not have a built-in controllable thermostat? they look good though!

 

[Fat Lady]

Thanks for your responses, RF Lighting, the element I have found has a thermostat built into it. Not sure why the fact that it would be run from a 13amp plug would affect this. I just need to know if it is safe to do so.

Cozycats, the radiators do look very good, however they are £400.00 for a 600mm square unit as apposed to about £100.00 for a standard radiator and thermostatic element.

So if I can just establish if it is safe a legal to do so then I will proceed.

Thanks

 

[RF Lighting]

I have an electric element in my bathroom towel rail. This has a built in thermostat but all that it does is gets the radiator upto temperature and then keeps it hot regardless of how hot the room is, and our towel rail gets very hot when used with the electric element. If you were to use the electric element in the way you suggest then I would think you almost certainly need to connect a room stat into the circuit between your plug top and your heater element. If you buy one of the pre manufactured rads these have a room stat built into the unit similar to what you would find on the side of an oil filled radiator. I remember once seeing a brochure with some electric 'proper' radiators in it in my local branch of city electrical factors, so it may be worth having a trip to your local wholesaler and seeing if they can help you.

Rob

 

[RF Lighting]

Just found these Click Here (see bottom of page) They seem to bee alot cheaper than the price you mention above.

Rob