Electric Heater Installation Cost

Electric radiators are becoming a popular heating solution in UK homes, offering a flexible and energy-efficient alternative to traditional gas central heating.

Ideal for flats, extensions and properties without mains gas, they’re quick to install and require no pipework. With modern features such as ceramic cores and smart controls, electric radiators provide efficient, room-by-room heating.

In this guide, we break down electric radiator costs in the UK and explain what you can expect to pay for installation and running costs.

How Much is an Electric Radiator?

The cost of an electric radiator can vary quite significantly depending on the type of unit you opt for, its output and whether professional installation will be required.

On average, a homeowner should expect to pay somewhere in the region of £120 to £600 for the radiator itself, and installation costs are typically around £100 to £250 per unit. This brings the total estimated cost of installing an electric radiator to between £250 and £850, depending on a wide range of factors.

Electric radiators on the lower end of the scale, such as very basic panel heaters, are generally much cheaper to buy and quicker to fit, especially if they can be plugged straight into an existing socket.

Higher-end models, those that include features like a ceramic core and smart electric radiators, are often more expensive but offer much improved efficiency, better heat retention and a far greater control over energy usage.

Electric Radiator Prices

Labour Costs and Timescales for Fitting Electric Radiators

Labour costs for fitting electric radiators will typically range from around £40 to £80 an hour, all depending on the location and the experience of the electrician. The majority of electric radiator installations are complete within 2 hours, meaning the labour cost per unit is somewhere between £100 and £250.

The process will involve the secure mounting of the radiator to the wall, the connection of the radiator to the electrical supply and then the testing of the unit to ensure that it is safe and operating properly. If the radiator is hard-wired, the electrician will need to ensure that the work complies with Part P of the Building Regulations, which covers electrical safety in domestic properties.

Having more than one radiator installed at once can reduce the time taken per unit, as the work can be completed more efficiently, so bear this in mind if you plan to install more than one unit throughout your home.

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Electric Radiator Supply Costs

Supply-only costs for electric radiators typically range from around £120 to £600 per unit, depending on the radiator type, size, heat output and features.

Alongside the radiator itself, you may also need mounting brackets, fixings, electrical cabling and a fused connection unit. These are often included within the overall supply price but can increase costs for more advanced models.

The main types of electric radiator and their typical supply costs are outlined below.

Single Panel

Typical supply cost: £120–£250 per unit.

Panel heaters are the most basic form of electric heaters. They are often chosen as an alternative to flat panel radiators in homes without central heating.

Pros:

• ✔ Simple and quick to install
• ✔ Low upfront cost
• ✔ Heat up very quickly

Cons:

• ✖ Cool down rapidly once switched off
• ✖ Less energy efficient for continuous use
• ✖ Best suited to occasional or localised heating rather than whole-room heating

Oil Filled Electric Radiators

Typical supply cost: £150–£300 per unit.

These types of electric radiator use internal oil that is heated to provide a steady and consistent temperature. They are best suited to larger rooms that require prolonged heating.

Pros:

• ✔ Retain heat for longer periods
• ✔ Provide a steady and consistent temperature
• ✔ Quiet to operate
• ✔ Well suited to prolonged use

Cons:

• ✖ Slower to heat up than panel heaters
• ✖ Typically bulkier and heavier
• ✖ Slightly higher upfront cost

Ceramic Core Radiators

Typical supply cost: £250–£450 per unit.

Ceramic core radiators use ceramic elements to retain heat for longer and release it gradually over time. They are designed to improve energy efficiency and maintain a more consistent room temperature than basic electric heaters.

Pros:

• ✔ Excellent heat retention
• ✔ Maintain warmth even after power output is reduced
• ✔ High energy efficiency
• ✔ Good option for regular, long-term heating

Cons:

• ✖ Higher purchase cost than basic electric heaters
• ✖ Heavier units due to dense ceramic materials

Infrared Electric Panels

Typical supply cost: £200–£500 per unit.

Infrared panels heat people and objects directly rather than warming the air. They are often used in targeted heating applications and can be an efficient option for specific rooms or workspaces.

Pros:

• ✔ Heat people and objects directly rather than the air
• ✔ Very efficient in targeted applications
• ✔ Minimal heat loss

Cons:

• ✖ Not suitable for heating entire rooms evenly
• ✖ Less effective in spaces with frequent movement
• ✖ Can feel unfamiliar compared to traditional radiators

Smart Electric Radiators

Typical supply cost: £300–£600 per unit.

These radiators combine efficient heating elements with smart controls, allowing you to manage schedules, adjust temperatures, monitor usage and control heating remotely.

Pros:

• ✔ Advanced controls and remote programming
• ✔ Integration with smart home systems
• ✔ Highly efficient when used with schedules and zoning
• ✔ Ideal for optimising energy use

Cons:

• ✖ Most expensive option
• ✖ Higher installation and setup complexity
• ✖ Full benefits depend on user engagement with controls

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Additional Costs of Electric Radiators

When budgeting for an electric radiator installation, it’s worth allowing for any extra work that may be needed before or after the radiators are fitted.

• Electrical upgrades — Older homes may need wiring improvements, a new circuit or a consumer unit replacement before electric radiators can be installed safely.
• Removing old heaters — Removing existing radiators, storage heaters or other heaters can add to the total cost. See our radiator replacement cost guide for more information, especially if disposal is needed.
• Wall repairs — Replacing older radiators can leave holes, marks or damaged plaster. You may need replastering or decorating after installation. This will be even more relevant if you are relocating the radiator and installing the new one on a different wall.
• Smart setup — Smart electric radiators may need extra setup time if they need connecting to an app, a smart thermostat or wider heating controls.
• Electrical wiring adaptations — Some installations may require additional cabling, new fused spurs or changes to existing circuits if there is no suitable power supply near the radiator location.

Cost Factors for Electric Radiators

The main factors that affect electric radiator installation costs are:

• Radiator type — Basic panel heaters are usually cheaper than ceramic core, infrared or smart electric radiators.
• Number of radiators — Installing several radiators will increase the total cost but may reduce the labour cost per unit.
• Heat output and size — Larger rooms usually need higher-output radiators, which tend to cost more to buy and run.
• Installation type — Plug-in units are usually simpler to fit, while hard-wired electric radiators need professional electrical work.
• Electrical capacity — Older wiring, limited circuits or an outdated fuse board can increase the cost if upgrades are needed.
• Accessibility — Installing radiators in hard-to-reach areas can increase labour time, and therefore costs.
• Property location — Labour rates are usually higher in London and the South East than in many other UK regions.

Benefits of Electric Radiators

Electric radiators can be a good option for homes where installing or extending a gas central heating system would be expensive or impractical.

• Lower installation costs — Electric radiators are usually cheaper and quicker to install than a full central heating system because they do not need pipework.
• Room-by-room control — Many electric radiators can be controlled individually, which can help avoid heating rooms you are not using.
• Useful for flats and extensions — They can work well in properties without mains gas, garden rooms, loft conversions and home extensions.
• Smart control options — Some models include timers, apps and zoning controls to help manage energy use more closely.
• Less maintenance — Electric radiators do not need annual boiler servicing, and you also won't need to worry about the cost of radiator bleeding.

Alternative Types of Electric Heating

Electric radiators are not the only option available to homeowners for heating systems. There are several different options to be used both alongside electric radiators and as an alternative to them.

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating provides heat evenly across the floor surface, creating a consistent and comfortable room temperature. It’s particularly popular in bathrooms, kitchens, and wet rooms.

Underfloor heating costs around £800 on average, although the final price will depend on the system type and room size.

Pros:

• ✔ Very even heat distribution
• ✔ Ideal for tiled rooms and bathrooms
• ✔ Frees up wall space

Cons:

• ✖ High installation costs
• ✖ Disruptive to install
• ✖ Slower to respond than radiator based systems

Storage Heaters

Storage heaters are designed to store heat overnight using off-peak electricity tariffs and release it gradually throughout the day; however, they are quite bulky and inflexible.

Pros:

• ✔ Can be cost effective when paired with off peak tariffs
• ✔ Simple operation
• ✔ Reliable, long established technology

Cons:

• ✖ Bulky and space consuming
• ✖ Limited control and flexibility
• ✖ Less efficient than modern electric heating options

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps extract heat from the air or ground and convert it into usable energy for heating the home. They are one of the most efficient low-carbon heating solutions currently available, and are gaining traction for their sustainability.

Air source heat pump installation costs around £8,000 on average, while ground source heat pump installation costs around £13,500 on average.

Pros:

• ✔ Extremely energy efficient
• ✔ Low running costs
• ✔ Environmentally friendly
• ✔ Eligible for government incentives in some cases

Cons:

• ✖ Very high upfront installation costs
• ✖ Disruptive installation process
• ✖ Best suited to well insulated properties

Portable Electric Heaters

Portable electric heaters are standalone units that can be moved between rooms as needed. They are typically used for short-term or supplementary heating, and aren’t very suitable for longer term heating purposes.

Pros:

• ✔ Low purchase cost
• ✔ Highly flexible and portable
• ✔ No installation required

Cons:

• ✖ Expensive to run
• ✖ Inefficient for whole room or long term heating
• ✖ Not suitable as a primary heating solution

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Electric Radiators

Use the following checklist when hiring an electrician to install electric radiators:

• Compare quotes — Use MyJobQuote to get and compare at least two or three written quotes, so you can compare prices and what's included
• Qualifications — Check that the electrician is qualified and can certify any electrical work carried out
• What's required — Ask whether any wiring upgrades, new circuits or consumer unit work may be required
• Pricing breakdown — Make sure the quote clearly separates supply and installation costs
• What's included — Check whether removal and disposal of existing heaters is included
• Warranties — Ask about warranties for both the radiator and the installation work
• Reviews — Read customer reviews before making your final decision

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