In Campania, winters are mild and homes are often poorly insulated, so energy costs can fluctuate. An electric radiator is a good alternative in these situations. Let's see how to choose the right model and how much it consumes.
If you need to heat a room quickly, the electric radiator It's perfect. It can be used to expand existing systems, or for rooms that are used intermittently. If, however, you live in a well-insulated apartment building, you might also consider using an electric radiator as your first choice for heating. It's very simple to use; simply plug it in and it starts emitting heat. In appearance, it's very similar to a traditional radiator, but many models with unique designs are available.
Energy costs: electricity and gas compared
Costs have increased in recent years. Electricity costs for residential customers in protected or regulated services, for the October-December quarter, were €0,14572/kWh in F1 and €0,14098/kWh in F23. Naturally, transport costs, charges, and taxes must be added to these costs.
Natural gas, on the other hand, has a reference price of €0,373358/Sm3, but on the free market, prices vary depending on the offer. Therefore, gas remains competitive for those who rely on central heating for long hours, but electricity is more attractive if you want to create warm zones and plan to use it only for a short time.
Another aspect to consider is that cities in Campania still monitor air quality issues during certain periods and in certain areas. Electric heating in apartments, as it doesn't involve combustion, prevents emissions from chimneys or boilers in the home.
When an electric radiator is convenient (and when it isn't)
It is especially convenient if:
- you want to heat one or two rooms at a time, for short periods (from 30 minutes to 2-3 hours);
- you live in a well-insulated house or one with a small square footage (studio/one-room apartments), or you want to integrate an existing system only during certain time slots.
It becomes less interesting if:
- you need to maintain 20-21°C throughout the house for many hours every day during the winter;
- the property is very wasteful (old fixtures, cold walls).
It might interest you
Read more one-news
Installation, management and control: simplicity that ultimately weighs
The most underrated advantage? Zero construction work. Basically, you position it, plug it in, and set the temperature. That's it. For those who live in a rental or can't work on the system, it's often the quickest solution. Many models include:
- digital thermostat and daily/weekly programming;
- eco mode and open window detection;
- Wi-Fi control with timer and clock from your smartphone.
These features help reduce waste. For example, in homes in Campania where the room to be heated changes throughout the day, you can set different times and thresholds for each room, thus avoiding heating unnecessary spaces.
How to choose the power and where to place it in your home
For a well-closed room of 12-15 m² in Campania, 1-1,5 kW is often enough to heat in a reasonable amount of time. Larger or more dispersed spaces require 2 kW, and sometimes even more. It's best to choose models with inertia (thermal oil or stone) if you want more uniform heat, or rapid heating elements if you need an immediate boost (for example, to heat the bathroom before a shower).
Pay attention to outlets and electrical wiring. A dedicated outlet in good condition is essential. Avoid makeshift extension cords, and if in doubt, have a technician check it out.
To purchase, compare prices and features. There are platforms like HomedealThey help you navigate quotes and professionals for installing heating solutions when needed. Simply identify the type of service you need, then you can compare costs and evaluate, with no obligation, which expert technician is best for your situation.
But isn't a heat pump better?
Heat pumps are very efficient at maintaining a constant temperature across multiple rooms, especially if they are well insulated. However, they require installation and outdoor space for the unit, and are more effective if used continuously. Electric radiators are effective in a variety of settings: for commercial use, second homes, bathrooms, attics, and studios where you spend only a few hours.
In various Italian contexts, hybrid systems (boiler + pump) consume between 2 and 12 kWh of electricity or 0,20-1,25 Sm3 of gas per hour, depending on conditions. These numbers can help you understand the magnitude of your needs.
In Campania, heating is often a matter of flexibility because the days aren't extreme and rooms need to be heated intermittently. From this perspective, an electric radiator is a straightforward and, above all, controllable choice. That is, you pay and heat when you need it, without complications. If you need to keep many rooms warm for many hours, then it makes more sense to look at continuous system solutions, but for on-demand comfort, it's hard to find anything more practical.
Comments (1)
The article talks about electric radiators, but I'm not sure if they're really worth using. They say they cost less, but gas is also good. Maybe it depends on the house and how long you spend there.