Installing electric radiators: how hard is it?

Last updated: February 2023

One thing that often deters people from upgrading their home heating system is the disruption it can sometimes cause. Most homes these days have gas boilers and a centralised system which may be difficult to upgrade, whereas those who live in flats or homes powered by electricity might find it a little easier. Either way, installing electric radiators really isn't as difficult as you might think... 

The power of electric

Installing an electric radiator

With smart meters rolling out into UK homes next year, electricity = control. But some people are hesitant when it comes to upgrading. Sometimes it’s because they don't trust the technology and would like to find out more, other times it's simply because they think upgrading and installing their radiators is going to mean a lot of hassle and expensive work... but that couldn't be further from the truth. 

Really, how a radiator is installed depends on the type of radiator you buy. At Electric Radiators Direct, we're specialists in selecting energy efficient products that are easy to set-up with minimal fuss for the customer. Let's take our bestselling product, the Ecostrad iQ Ceramic, as an example as we address some frequently asked questions and problems... 

Using the bestselling Ecostrad iQ Ceramic as an example, this video is all about how to install electric radiators. We’ll be answering pressing questions such as when to opt for professional hardwiring and how to DIY-install a wall mounted vs. freestanding electric radiator.

That all depends. With the iQ Ceramic you have an option, depending on your needs and what you want to achieve. We make a point of supplying every unit with an attached 3-pin standard UK plug, so you can hang your radiator, plug it straight into the wall and get started. If you want something more 'permanent' or perhaps aesthetically pleasing (if you're installing them all over the house, like many do), you may choose to hardwire them into your home's main circuit. We'd advise getting the help of an electrician for this but it's a quick job, and once you've got power to the unit, you're good to go. Whether you have your radiators hardwired in or simply plugged in permanently to the wall, it'll have no bearing on the energy saving potential and the result will be just the same. 

Absolutely not. Again, if you've got a builder on hand then they might well be able to fit these for you. But the iQ Ceramic, as with our other ranges of energy efficient electric radiators, is extremely easy to install. Each radiator comes with wall brackets, all the screws and plugs you need, and a handy template so you can position it nice and easily on the wall. It couldn't be simpler. The radiators are also very light and easy to handle. A typical installation might take around 10 minutes, with the aid of a pencil and a drill. Then simply plug it in, connect the power, and you're good to go. You can even purchase the radiator feet if you prefer a portable option.

1. Position the template on the part of the wall you'd like the radiator to be fitted, then drill a place for your wall plugs.

2. Insert the plugs and then fit the brackets onto the wall.

3. Finally, hook the radiator onto the brackets and tighten the safety screws on top.

Those three easy steps are all it takes to get fully up and running with an iQ Ceramic Electric Radiator, and you can sit back and start enjoying the energy saving warmth of a clean, economic heating solution. So, no more worrying about fluctuating gas prices, and once you install a smart meter you'll be able to take complete control how much energy you're spending day to day.

Check out our review to learn why the iQ Ceramic is our smartest radiator yet.