Choosing the right heating for your home can feel overwhelming, especially with so many modern electric options available. If you’re looking for a fuss-free, energy-conscious way to warm a room, panel heaters could be exactly what you need.
In this guide, we’ll explain what an electrical panel is, how they work, and why these heating solutions are becoming so popular in UK households.
What Is a Panel Heater?
A panel heater is a slim, compact heating unit that attaches directly to your wall. It warms up a room by using convection, pulling in cooler air from the bottom, heating it with an internal element, and then releasing the warm air upwards. Because of this, panel heaters distribute heat quickly and evenly without the need for radiators, pipework or an electrical central heating system.
People often refer to these heaters as wall mounted heaters, wall hung radiators, or electric wall heaters, and they work well for heating single rooms or supplementing other systems. Unlike oil-filled radiators or storage heaters, panel heaters don’t take long to warm up, making them perfect for spaces where you need quick, efficient comfort, like a bedroom, home office or hallway.
Why Choose a Wall Mounted Panel Heater?
One of the main advantages of a wall mounted heater is how discreet and space-saving it is. Many models are just a few centimetres thick and designed to blend into your interior. They mount out of the way, which means you don’t sacrifice valuable floor space like you would with portable heaters or bulky radiators.
Beyond aesthetics, they’re highly practical. For homes that rely on electric heating systems – either by choice or due to a lack of gas connection – panel heaters offer a cost-effective way to heat a room without needing to overhaul your entire setup. This makes them particularly well-suited for people living in apartments, new builds, or rooms that people underuse during the day.
Plus, they’re low maintenance. With no moving parts, no fuel storage, and no annual servicing like you’d expect with boilers, they’re an easy win when paired with professional residential electrical installation.
How Panel Heaters Fit Into Electric Heating Systems
If your home doesn’t have a traditional gas boiler or you’re looking to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, electric heating systems provide a modern, energy efficient alternative. Within this setup, homeowners can use electric wall heaters as a primary source of heat in smaller properties or alongside infrared panels or underfloor systems for a zoned approach.
What’s great about panel heaters is that they give you flexibility. You can heat just one room at a time, avoiding the energy waste and running cost of warming up an entire house. Many models include timers, thermostats for temperature control, or even Wi-Fi remote control, allowing you to fine-tune when and how the heat delivers.
What to Expect from Electric Heater Installation
Proper electric heater installation by a qualified electrician is key to getting the best out of your panel heater. While some models are easy to install with plug in, you often need to hardwire wall-mounted options into your mains supply, especially if you want a permanent solution that’s both safe and tidy.
At DRW, our process starts with a home visit. We assess the room size, insulation levels, and your current electrical capacity. Based on this, we’ll recommend a suitable wall hung radiator style heater, typically based on wattage per square metre. We then perform a clean, compliant installation, ensuring we securely mount the heater, correct electrical wiring, and make it function exactly as expected with all the safety features intact.
Energy Use and Cost Efficiency
A key question we often get is whether electric panel heaters are expensive to run. The answer depends on usage, but in general, panel heaters are more efficient for short bursts of heat compared to running central systems all day.
Because you’re heating one room at a time, you use less energy overall. And if your panel heater includes a thermostat or programmable timer, you avoid unnecessary usage when the room is unoccupied. Some newer models also include open window sensors that pause heating if they detect a sudden temperature drop.
For households with solar panels or smart energy tariffs, electric wall heaters become even more attractive. You’re using electricity you’ve generated, or buying it at off-peak rates, which makes this type of electric heating system both greener and more cost-effective.
Is a Panel Heater Right for Your Home?
If you’re looking for fast, flexible heating that’s efficient, stylish and simple to maintain, a panel heater is an excellent choice. Whether it’s for a small flat, a guest bedroom, or an add-on to a larger system, these heaters fit seamlessly into modern electric heating systems, especially when installed professionally by your local residential electrical team.
At DRW, we offer end-to-end electric heater installation, from advice and planning to safe, clean fitting. So if you’re ready to upgrade how you heat your space, and add some panel heaters, we’re here to help.
