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Direct and indirect electrical heating devices can help you to heat your home effectively and efficiently if you use them in the right way and understand their limitations.

How it works

Direct heating devices (for example, fan heaters and convector heaters) provide heat on demand. They’re useful to top up room temperatures and if fitted with time switches can be set to run at night to take advantage of cheaper, off-peak tariffs.

The most common form of indirect electric space heaters – night storage heaters – store heat in special heat-retaining bricks during the night or off-peak periods, which can then be slowly released the following day

How it’s installed

Most direct heating devices are relatively inexpensive and easy to operate and move around the home – although some may need to be set on wall brackets. In contrast, night storage heaters tend to be heavy and must be sited and installed correctly. Because they require a dedicated electrical circuit they must only be installed by an individual registered with a Competent Persons Scheme.


For more information on switching to electrical heating, please contact EDF Energy Contracting on 0800 282 878†.

*If you are unable to view our pdf booklet then please go to adobe.com and download adobe acrobat reader. It’s free of charge and will only take a few minutes to install.

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