Electric Panel Heaters

Slim wall-mounted electric convection heaters. Instant heat, easy to install, expensive to run on standard tariffs.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-27 • Reading time: 5 minutes

Electric panel heaters (also called convector heaters or slim-line radiators) cost £150–£350 per heater including installation. Running costs are £1,500–£2,200/year for a 3-bedroom home on standard electricity (24p/kWh), making them 2–3× more expensive than gas central heating (£720/year). They suit supplemental heating, extensions, or properties without gas where instant heat and room-by-room control are priorities.

What Are Panel Heaters?

Panel heaters are thin wall-mounted electric heaters that warm the air via convection. Cold air enters at the bottom, flows past electric heating elements, and rises out the top as warm air. They're 100% efficient (all electricity becomes heat) but expensive to run because of high UK electricity prices.

Cost Breakdown

Purchase price: £80–£200 per heater (500W–2000W)
Installation: £50–£150 per heater (hard-wired) or plug-in (DIY)
Whole-house (6 heaters): £900–£2,100
Annual running cost: £1,500–£2,200 (3-bed home, 12,000 kWh/year heat demand, 24p/kWh)

Types of Panel Heater

Standard convector panels: Basic fan-free convection. Slow to heat large rooms. Cheapest to buy (£80–£120).

Fan-assisted panels: Built-in fan speeds up heat distribution. Warms rooms 30–50% faster. Cost £120–£200.

Low-surface-temperature (LST) panels: Designed for schools, care homes, nurseries. Surface stays below 43°C to prevent burns. Cost £200–£350.

Running Costs vs Other Electric Heating

Heating System	Annual Cost (3-bed)
Electric panel heaters	£1,500–£2,200
Storage heaters (Economy 7)	£900–£1,400
Infrared panels	£1,200–£1,800
Gas central heating	£720

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Instant heat (no warm-up time)
Room-by-room control (individual thermostats)
Easy to install (plug-in or simple hard-wiring)
No boiler, no pipework, no maintenance
Low upfront cost (£900–£2,100 whole house)

Cons:

Expensive to run (2–3× gas central heating costs)
Air circulation can feel draughty
Heat stops immediately when switched off (no thermal mass)
Can be slow to heat large or poorly insulated rooms

When Panel Heaters Make Sense

Extensions or converted garages (adding a radiator to existing gas system is expensive)
Supplemental heating (one cold room in an otherwise-heated house)
Rental properties (portable, no permanent installation)
Homes without gas where upfront cost is a priority (cheaper than heat pump)
Well-insulated properties with low heat demand (small heat pump alternative)

Full guide: Electric Heating Systems →

Last reviewed: 2026-06-27