How to heat your conservatory with electric heaters

Last updated: March 2023

Your conservatory should be a haven of relaxation, where you can enjoy the serene outdoors without interruption of spring showers or winter snowfall. Unfortunately, like many conservatory owners, you may find yourself unable to use it as much as you’d like. Why? Conservatories tend to be notoriously hard to heat, usually ending up too hot in summer and too cold in winter. So, in order to make your conservatory useable in every season, you’re going to need a conservatory heater that’s adept, efficient, cost-effective, and flexible. Enter electric heating.

Why are conservatories so hard to heat?

First of all, we should determine why exactly it’s so hard to maintain comfort levels in most conservatories. This is typically down to three usual suspects:

  • Glazing – Although primed for you to enjoy some picturesque views, the poor thermal property of glass means excessive heat loss is inevitable compared to the rest of your home.
  • Roof insulation – Most roofs in older conservatories are made from polycarbonate, a form of plastic that offers little insulation – it’s terrible at retaining heat in winter and will overheat in summer. Glass roofs are an upgrade, but they’re still unable to regulate temperatures effectively.
  • Positioning – A north-facing conservatory will attract less sunlight year-round. This might make it the place to be during summer but will leave it freezing during the winter months.

Heating your conservatory: why choose electric?

While you could install underfloor heating or have a plumber extend your central heating system, heating your conservatory doesn’t have to be a complicated, costly endeavour. With electric heating, you’re guaranteed an efficient solution that adheres to UK building regulations for conservatories and won’t break the bank either:

Independent conservatory heating

The modular nature of electric heating means they can be used on a room-by-room basis. Not having to heat your entire home just to keep your conservatory habitable is both a huge money saver and drastically reduces energy waste.

DIY-friendly installation

Many electric heaters don’t require hardwiring to the mains, giving you much more flexibility. With all fixtures and fittings included, installation can take minutes – simply mount, plug in and go!

Higher heat outputs

To combat tall conservatory ceilings, electric heaters often have higher outputs capable of warming your entire space, with wattages up to 2000 to accommodate even the most hard-to-heat conservatories.

Energy-saving features

Open window detection, adaptive start and weekly programming are just some of the features available to help streamline energy consumption and reduce running costs.

Smart control

Set bespoke schedules, enable energy-saving heating modes and apply handsfree heating boosts with Alexa & Google or with a few taps of your smartphone.

Space-saving styles

Out in the open or tucked away, electric heaters are a discreet and lightweight option for conservatories, particularly useful when low-level walls and awkward layouts are concerned.

Dwarf wall electric radiators

Conservatories with dwarf walls offer a convenient location for a wall-mounted electric radiator, one which frees up space and ensures zero trailing wires. But as dwarf walls typically come no higher than 600mm, you’ll need the ultimate space-saving solution. Dwarf wall electric radiators come with the same efficiency standards and programming options as their full-sized counterparts – just in a more compact package. They’re specifically designed for unobtrusive installation, with a reduced height to slip easily beneath conservatory windows. With sophisticated 24/7 programming and energy-saving features, your conservatory heating can align with your routine perfectly.

A height of just 300mm makes this elegant designer radiator the perfect choice for dwarf walls. Its thick column build houses a highly efficient thermal fluid which delivers superior, long-lasting warmth, and with sophisticated WiFi and voice control, the Allerton iQ is as innovative as it is stylish. As it requires hardwiring to the mains, you’re guaranteed a seamless, wire-free finish too. Check out this blog for a comprehensive deep dive if you’d like to learn more.

This low-profile electric radiator has been specifically designed with conservatories in mind: a high heat output, precision thermostat accurate to ±0.2 ºC, and dynamic thermal oil for optimal heat distribution primes conservatories for all-day comfort. With 24/7 digital programming and fuss-free DIY installation, the Haverland RCBL is conservatory heating at its most convenient.

Freestanding electric radiators

Freestanding electric radiators are great for conservatories thanks to their straightforward installation, lightweight builds and excellent efficiency. As our electric radiators come ready for wall-mounting as standard, you’ll need to purchase the feet alongside your chosen radiator. Installation is effortless: simply clip or slot the feet into place at the base of the unit and plug the radiator into a 3-pin socket – that’s it! Freestanding electric radiators are such a great option for conservatories because of the amount of flexibility they provide. Treat them as a permanent fixture and have them running throughout the day, or use them in a more spontaneous capacity, only getting them out when you need. Whether you prefer sleek manual programming or sophisticated WiFi control; dry thermal or oil-filled heating elements; there’s a freestanding electric radiator primed to fit your needs effortlessly.

For a smarter approach to conservatory heating, the iQ Ceramic is an electric radiator with a modern edge. With in-built WiFi connectivity and all the energy-saving features you’d expect, the iQ Ceramic also comes with a dynamic Motion Sensor mode. Turning on when it detects movement, this is a great way to bypass unnecessary heat loss without any micromanaging on your part! The iQ Ceramic is particularly effective in conservatories due to its ceramic stone core. Emitting an ideal combination of convected and radiant warmth, heat is retained for longer and isn’t lost to tall ceilings, so you can enjoy optimal temperatures even when it’s no longer drawing power from the wall – win-win!

With outstanding efficiency and sophisticated digital programming, the bestselling RC Wave is a definite contender for conservatory heating. Using dry thermal aluminium elements to deliver rapid warmth, the RC Wave is noticeably warm to the touch within just 1 minute of switch-on! Lightweight and with no risk of leaks, the Wave is the ideal portable heater – primed for fuss-free, plug-in installation. Featuring 24/7 programming and precise thermostatic control, the RC Wave can be managed effortlessly to maintain ideal temperatures.

Conservatory electric radiators will need to run at a higher wattage. What is it, why does it matter and how do you calculate how much you’ll need? We’re here to explain it all.

Electric panel heaters

Using 100% convection, conservatories can be brought up to temperatures quickly with the help of electric panel heaters. These nifty heaters are lightweight, portable and DIY-friendly – simply plug in and go! As they’re designed for supplementary heating, they’re ideal for topping up the temperatures alongside an existing system, or else used on an ad-hoc basis during warmer months when full conservatory heating isn’t necessary. To combat the cold, having an electric panel heater by your feet while your wall-mounted or freestanding electric radiator runs in the background will bring much needed comfort to these draught-prone spaces and ensure your conservatory is the place to be year-round.

These slimline, modern heaters are a must-buy for any conservatory: both weighing less than 8kg, the Opal and Onyx can be picked up and positioned with ease, for responsive heat wherever it’s needed most. Moda heaters come WiFi ready for when you’re on the go: set bespoke schedules and apply the timer with a few taps of your smart device or via your Alexa or Google speaker. With a wealth of programming modes and energy-saving features, you’re guaranteed a cost-cutting approach to heating. For a full rundown of everything Moda heaters have to offer, check out this blog.

Our slimmest panel heater yet, the iQ Plus is a smart heater capable of topping up the temperature in your conservatory within minutes, thanks to its highly efficient aluminium bar element. Access its innovative programming via the sleek touchscreen interface or connect the iQ Plus to an app or your home voice assistant to access heat management like never before. Fitted with a silent TRIAC digital thermostat, the iQ Plus gauges temperatures as accurately as ±0.5ºC for precise, energy-saving heating 24/7.

Enjoy your conservatory year-round with electric heaters

Whether your conservatory is a quiet haven or bustling family room, enjoy it every day of the year with the help of electric heating. If you’re currently in the planning stages of building a conservatory, using an independent electric heating system like radiators and panel heaters help to make sure your extension is exempt from building regulations, so there’s no costly or inconvenient obstacles down the line. So, view our full range of conservatory electric radiators or get in touch with one of our friendly advisors for a no obligation free quote today.

Key learnings

  • Conservatories are notoriously hard to heat because warmth is easily lost through glass, high ceilings and poorly insulated roofs.
  • Electric is a great option for conservatories because it’s an independent heat source with space-saving styles, sophisticated programming and efficient features.
  • Dwarf wall electric radiators come at a reduced height so they can be mounted beneath conservatory windows with ease.
  • Freestanding electric radiators are lightweight and DIY-friendly; ideal for both all-day use and spontaneous ad-hoc heating.
  • Electric panel heaters are the ultimate top-up heater for those particularly hard-to-heat conservatories.

Share: