How to install a vertical electric radiator

Vertical electric radiators certainly look out of the ordinary but they aren’t actually all that different from their horizontal cousins. That’s even true when it comes to installing them. Fitting a vertical radiator is fairly simple process but there are some things to keep in mind before you get started. If you’ve just ordered your vertical electric radiator and are eager to get it up on the wall, this blog is going to point you in the right direction.

Electric drill with tape measure

Preparation ahead of time

1.      Choosing an appropriate load-bearing wall

drawing plansFirst thing’s first: if you’re installing a vertical electric radiator, make sure that you’ve chosen a suitable wall to attach it to. A lot of vertical models are heavy and have a higher centre of gravity, so you’ll need to make sure it’s mounted on a wall that will be able to bear its weight. If you’re planning to fit the heater to a stud wall, it’s best to consult a professional first as they will be able to recommend whether additional measures are required to safely carry the weight of the heater.

2.      Check whether it needs a hardwired fitting

Some heaters will always need to be installed by an electrician so they can be hardwired into the mains of your property. If your vertical electric radiator isn’t DIY compatible, you’re going to need to arrange for a professional fitting, in which case, your sparky will be able to handle the job by themselves. Or you could stick around to help out for the following reasons…

3.      Have another person on hand to help

As you might imagine, handling a vertical electric radiator can be a little tricky with only one set of hands. You’ll find it a much easier and quicker process when you have someone else helping out, which also means you’re less likely to bump or drop the radiator as you’re manoeuvring it into place. This goes double if you’re fitting a heavy radiator – it’s always worth checking a product’s weight before you install to give you a better idea of how easy it will be to handle.

4.      Make sure you’ve got everything you need to begin

Terma MOA Blue heating element in chromeThis seems like just a bit of common sense but it’s all too easy to grab your tools only to find out a vital component is missing. Before you start anything, make sure that you’ve got all of the fixtures and fittings needed to attach your radiator to the wall. More importantly, if you have an oil-filled radiator that needs an element, make sure that you’ve received this item first as they can often be dispatched separately to the radiator body. The last thing you want to do is book your electrician only to find you’re missing a key piece of your heating setup. One final check to make sure you have everything you need never hurts. The product manual should show what fittings are supplied with the heater and what tools you will need to do the job. Here is a list of tools typically needed for installation:

- Drill
- Spirit level
- Tape measure
- Adjustable spanner
- Philips head & flathead screwdrivers
- Pencil
- Digital wire/pipe detector

Installing your electric radiator

5.      Attach the heating element (if applicable)

Ecostrad allora anthracite single panel radiator on wallMany of our designer electric radiators, such as the Ecostrad Adesso and Allora, will need to have their heating element attached before they’re mounted on the wall. This is definitely a job for your sparky and shouldn’t be undertaken by an enthusiastic amateur. Your electrician will need to test the element, then slot it into the correct location on the appliance. Doing this incorrectly could cause your heater to perform poorly because the heat won’t be circulating properly on the inside of the radiator body, or in a worst-case scenario, it could permanently damage the element itself. So, if your vertical electric radiator has a heating element, leave it up to the professionals!

6.      Attach the radiator to the wall

Now it’s time to wall mount your vertical radiator. Some products will come with a template to help you mark on the wall where to put the screws, however others may require you to work out where to attach the fittings. This is where a spirit level and a tape measure can really come in handy. When you’ve marked where to make the holes, you’ll need to drill into the wall and insert the rawl plugs provided. You can then screw the fixtures into place and slot the radiator onto the brackets. Before drilling it’s a good idea to have a handheld scanner available so you can check the wall for any pipes or wiring and avoid any potential damage.

7.      Connect the radiator to your electrical supply

If your radiator is suitable for a DIY fitting, all you have to do is plug it in at the wall, so make sure you choose a spot where the cable can reach the socket. For a hardwired fitting, this is where your electrician will need to step in so they can wire it into the mains of your property via a fused spur.

Then enjoy total comfort with your vertical electric radiator!

Once it’s wired in, all that’s left is to start using your vertical radiator and enjoying the comfortable warmth it provides – as well as its striking good looks. As you can see, the process is exactly the same as installing a horizontal electric radiator; the only difference is that there are more factors to weigh up before you get started. So, if you’re ready to fit one of these slender vertical heating solutions in your home, take a look at our full range today for inspiration.

Shop all vertical electric radiators

Share: