Replace storage heaters with electric radiators: costs & options
A UK guide to the real-world cost of replacing storage heaters with electric radiators — including typical installation ranges, running-cost trade-offs, and when it can (and can’t) make financial sense.
- Typical installed cost: £250–£900 per radiator (varying by size, controls and wiring)
- Running costs depend heavily on tariff type (Economy 7/10 vs single-rate) and how you heat your home
- We explain pitfalls like lost off-peak benefit, circuit limits and flat wiring constraints
Estimates are UK averages and will vary by property, existing wiring, heater size and your electricity tariff. For exact prices, get quotes from qualified electricians/heating installers.
Fast answer: replace storage heaters with electric radiators cost
Replace storage heaters with electric radiators cost is typically £250–£900 per radiator installed in the UK, depending on heat output, smart controls and whether new wiring/circuits are needed. Running costs can go up if you currently benefit from off-peak (Economy 7/10) charging, because electric radiators usually use electricity when you need heat — often at peak rates.
Typical upfront costs
- Radiator unit: roughly £150–£650 each
- Fitting: often £100–£250 each (more if rewiring)
- Extra works: consumer unit/circuit upgrades can add more
When it can make sense
- You need faster, on-demand heat
- Your storage heaters are old/inefficient or broken
- You struggle with heat timing (too hot/too cold)
Main risk to check first
If you’re on Economy 7/10 for storage heating, switching to electric radiators can reduce your use of cheap off-peak units and increase peak-rate use. Always review your meter/tariff options before replacing.
Quick tip: Before you buy heaters, confirm: (1) your current meter type (single-rate vs Economy 7/10), (2) the maximum circuit load for each room, and (3) whether your existing storage heater wiring can be re-used safely.
What you’ll usually pay (and what drives the price)
Electric radiators are typically cheaper to buy and install than wet central heating, but costs vary widely because some homes need electrical upgrades. Use the ranges below as a planning guide, then get itemised quotes.
Per-radiator costs (typical)
- Radiator unit
- £150–£650
- Standard fitting
- £100–£250
- Estimated installed total
- £250–£900
Higher-output radiators and smart controls usually sit at the top end.
Common “extra works”
- New spur/circuit (if existing cabling isn’t suitable)
- Consumer unit upgrades (if spare ways / RCD protection needed)
- Making good (patching walls where old heaters came off)
- Programming/commissioning (zones, schedules, app setup)
Ask for a quote that separates heater cost, labour and any electrical upgrades.
Safety/standards: Electrical work should be carried out by a competent person. If notifiable work is required, ensure it’s certified under appropriate Building Regulations routes (your installer can explain what applies in your nation/area).
Before you replace heaters: check your electricity options
Your running costs depend more on your tariff and meter than the radiator brand. Compare whole-of-market electricity deals for your postcode, including options that may suit electric heating.
Two realistic scenarios (with numbers you can sanity-check)
Because electricity prices and usage patterns vary, the most useful way to think about “cost” is: (a) upfront installation and (b) how your heat will be scheduled. The scenarios below use simple assumptions so you can adapt them to your home.
Scenario A: small flat, old storage heaters, single-rate meter
- 2 heaters replaced (living room + bedroom)
- No consumer unit upgrade required
- Standard electrical fitting using existing safe supply points
Estimated upfront cost: 2 × (£250–£900) = £500–£1,800.
Running-cost implication: if you already heat “little and often” and don’t use off-peak charging, electric radiators may be similar to storage heating for cost per kWh, but can feel more controllable (less wasted heat).
Scenario B: 3-bed home on Economy 7 with storage heating
- 6 heaters replaced across bedrooms + living areas
- Some wiring changes to handle higher peak-time loads
- Home currently benefits from off-peak charging overnight
Estimated upfront cost: 6 × (£250–£900) = £1,500–£5,400 (plus any upgrade works if needed).
Running-cost implication: you may shift more heating onto peak-rate electricity (evenings), which can increase bills unless you change how/when you heat, or move to a tariff better suited to your new pattern.
How to adapt the scenarios: Count the number of heaters, estimate whether you’ll need any electrical upgrades, then sense-check the running-cost impact by asking: “Will more of my heating happen during peak hours than it does today?”
Electric radiators vs storage heaters: what changes (in plain English)
Both are 100% efficient at the point of use (they turn electricity into heat), but they behave differently. Storage heaters buy (or “charge”) heat using cheaper off-peak electricity and release it later. Electric radiators provide heat on demand, usually using electricity at the time you’re heating.
| Decision factor | Storage heaters | Electric radiators |
|---|---|---|
| Best with | Economy 7/10-style off-peak pricing and predictable routine | On-demand heating and variable schedules |
| Control | Can be harder to match to day-to-day changes | Typically easier: schedules, thermostats, zoning |
| Comfort timing | Heat is “stored” then released; can run out late evening | Heat when you ask for it (within heater capacity) |
| Running-cost risk | Lower if you use off-peak charging effectively | Can be higher if most heat is needed at peak times |
| Upfront replacement | Like-for-like storage replacements can be simpler | Often simpler units, but wiring/load checks matter |
Checklist: electric radiators tend to suit you if…
- You want heat only in the rooms you’re using (zoning)
- You’re at home at irregular times (hybrid working, shift work)
- Your current storage heaters are overshooting (too hot midday)
- You’re willing to review your tariff/meter to match a new usage pattern
Checklist: you may be better keeping (or upgrading) storage heaters if…
- You get strong value from off-peak overnight electricity
- You need steady background heat most days
- You don’t want to increase peak-time electricity use (evenings)
- Your property has limited electrical capacity without costly upgrades
Remember: “Cheaper to run” isn’t about the heater being more efficient — it’s usually about when you use electricity and whether you can access lower off-peak rates for a meaningful share of your heating.
Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (that change the bill)
Most “surprise costs” come from electrics, tariff mismatch or choosing the wrong heat output. These are the issues we see most often in UK homes moving away from storage heating.
1) Losing the off-peak advantage
If you currently heat mainly using off-peak charging, switching to on-demand radiators may move usage to peak hours. That can raise costs even if comfort improves.
2) Underestimating electrical load
Several high-output heaters running together can stress circuits. An installer may need to add circuits or upgrade protection in the consumer unit.
3) “Like-for-like” isn’t always like-for-like
Storage heaters and radiators deliver heat differently. If you choose too small a radiator, it may run constantly and still feel cool; too large and you may pay more than needed.
Other exclusions to check in quotes
- Removal/disposal of old storage heaters
- Wall repairs and redecorating
- New dedicated isolators/spurs
- Upgrading thermostats/adding smart controls across rooms
- Parking restrictions/permit charges for installers (common in flats)
Tenant/leaseholder caveats (UK)
- If you rent, you’ll usually need written permission from the landlord/agent for changes
- In some blocks, lease terms restrict electrical alterations
- Keep installation certificates and manuals for handover
Tariff pitfall: Economy 7/10 and smart meters can affect which deals are available and how you’re billed across day/night rates. If you change your heating style, it’s worth re-checking electricity options rather than staying on autopilot.
FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a storage heater with an electric radiator in the UK?
A common UK estimate is £250–£900 per radiator installed. The lower end tends to be simpler installs and smaller heaters; the higher end is larger outputs, smarter controls and jobs needing new wiring, circuit changes or consumer unit upgrades.
Will electric radiators be cheaper to run than storage heaters?
Not always. Storage heaters can be cheaper to run if you use off-peak electricity effectively (Economy 7/10). Electric radiators often use electricity at the time you want heat, which can increase peak-rate usage. They can still reduce waste if you heat fewer rooms for shorter periods.
Do I need Economy 7 for storage heaters — and what happens if I switch away?
Storage heaters are designed to charge overnight on cheaper off-peak rates, so Economy 7/10 (or similar time-of-use pricing) is often a good fit. If you switch away to a single-rate tariff, storage heating can become more expensive to run. If you’re changing the heating system, review your meter and tariff options together.
Can I use the existing wiring from my storage heaters?
Sometimes, but not always. Older storage heaters may have dedicated circuits and controls intended for off-peak operation, and the condition/capacity of the cabling matters. A qualified electrician should confirm whether the existing supply is safe and suitable for the new heater’s load and control method.
Do electric radiators need a plumber?
No. Electric radiators don’t use water pipes, so you usually won’t need a plumber. Installation is typically an electrical job (mounting, wiring, spurs/isolators and testing), so use an appropriately qualified installer.
Will I need to change my meter if I replace storage heaters with electric radiators?
Possibly. If you currently have an Economy 7/10 setup and you stop using off-peak charging, you may decide a single-rate tariff suits you better — but availability depends on your meter type and supplier. With smart meters, some households can access different time-of-use options. Compare deals based on your actual usage pattern.
Are electric radiators suitable for all rooms (including bathrooms)?
They can be, but bathrooms have special electrical safety requirements (zones/IP ratings). Don’t assume any radiator is suitable for bathroom installation. Ask your installer to specify a compliant product and fitting location for bathroom use.
Could I save money by switching electricity supplier after installing electric radiators?
You might, but it depends on your region, meter type (single-rate vs Economy 7/10), payment method and how you use electricity. Savings aren’t guaranteed. The safest approach is to compare whole-of-market options for your postcode and check how day/night prices align with when you’ll actually heat your home.
Trust, methodology and sources
Editorial details
- Written by
- EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Energy Specialist
- Last updated
- July 2026
How we assess “replace storage heaters with electric radiators cost”
This guide focuses on UK household realities: meter types (including Economy 7/10), regional price variation, and the practical cost drivers installers quote for. Our cost ranges are estimated and designed for planning, not as a substitute for an onsite survey.
- Upfront costs: presented as typical UK ranges per radiator, assuming a safe standard install. We highlight where additional electrical work can change the total.
- Running costs: we avoid quoting unit rates because they change frequently; instead we explain the key determinant: when you’ll use electricity (peak vs off-peak) and whether your tariff matches that.
- Limitations: We can’t see your property’s wiring condition, insulation, occupancy pattern or local installer pricing. Those factors can materially change both installation cost and energy use.
UK sources and further reading
- Ofgem — energy regulation, consumer information and guidance
- Citizens advice: energy — billing, meters and switching help
- Gov.uk: energy — official UK guidance and support information
We link to third-party sites for authoritative guidance. External content may change.
Planning electric heating? Get postcode-accurate electricity options
Before you commit to replacing storage heaters, check electricity deals that match how you’ll actually use power. We compare whole-of-market options and show what’s available for your meter type and region.
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