Heating the home during the winter is an expensive proposition. More and more people are looking to use their furnaces less and keep areas warm confined to the rooms that are constantly in use. If you are looking for a supplemental heating source which is both efficient and portable, a great product to look at is the electric radiator.

They operate using electricity, which is more expensive than gas, but they can help reduce overall heating bills if they are used strategically. These units operate individually, thereby allowing you to control the level of heating in each room. Many are portable, needing only to be wheeled to a desired location. They can be programmed to turn on and off at specified times. They have adjustable thermostats.

The heating technology used in these new radiators is less wasteful than conventional electric storage heaters because they use microchips to control the use of electricity needed for the amount of heat output. Oil-filled radiators have a higher boiling point and can retain heat for a longer amount of time than similar heating devices that might contain water, so their use of electricity will be more efficient.

Some electric radiators come with covers to shield children from accidentally burning themselves. There is no fire hazard since there are no heating elements to ignite if overheated like there are in electric storage heaters. And they are silent because there are no moving parts.

If you choose to install more permanent radiant heat, you should know that radiators now come in numerous sizes, shapes and colors. They can be incorporated into the décor of a room and providing comfort and style as well. They are becoming eco-friendly, as they are being manufactured from recycled aluminum and streamlined for higher operating efficiency.

The modern electric radiator does not compare to the ones used in our grandmothers houses. Depending on how they are used, they can make a terrific add-on to an existing heating system, giving heat where and when it is needed.