Frequently asked questions
Your questions, answered
If you’re thinking about replacing your heating, you’re bound to have questions. Here are the ones we’re asked most. If yours isn’t here, call us on 01209 714600.
The survey and your quote
Is the survey really free?
Yes. The survey is free and there’s no obligation. You’ll have a written quotation, tailored to your home, and the decision is yours.
Who will actually visit my home?
Neil, our surveyor, visits every home himself. There’s no call centre assigning you to whoever’s available.
Where can I see your radiators?
We bring a sample radiator to your home when we carry out the survey, along with a RAL colour swatch.
I live on my own. Can a friend or relative be at the survey?
Of course. Two heads are better than one, and we’re happy to talk it through with you both.
How much will my electric heating cost to buy?
It depends on the size of your home and how many rooms you’re heating, much like a central heating installation. We don’t quote a figure without seeing your home: every quote from the free survey is fixed and given in person, with no obligation.
Do you have a price list so I can design my own system?
Not as such. With over 60 sizes, 900+ colours and slimline depths from 7cm, there’s a lot of choice, and getting the size right for each room is where our experience helps. Our surveyor listens to what you want and puts together a design for your home, your lifestyle and your budget. Our brochure doesn’t include prices either: they come from us directly, so book a free survey or call 01209 714600.
Installation
How long does installation take?
Most homes are finished in a single day, including taking out the old heaters and fitting the new radiators. Our own engineers handle the whole job.
Do you use subcontractors?
No. The same engineers who survey your home complete the installation. We don’t outsource to subcontractors or pass your job to another company.
Do I need an electrician to fit an electric radiator?
No need to arrange one. Every installation team includes a fully qualified electrician, and we handle any electrical work required.
What happens to my existing heating system?
We remove and safely dispose of your old night storage heaters, or arrange for a qualified plumber to remove a wet system. Some people like to keep the storage heater bricks: they come in handy for barbecues, paths and garden projects.
Do I have to do anything before the installation team arrives?
Clear the workspaces if you can; if not, we’ll do it and put everything back before we leave. Please switch off any night storage heaters that are being removed at least 24 hours before we arrive, so we can take them out safely.
Who does my Economy 7 meter exchange or removal?
Only your energy supplier can change a meter, and it’s often a free or inexpensive service that doesn’t take long. Some suppliers don’t change the meter at all, they just change how they bill you. On installation day we give you a crib sheet and can help you with what to ask your supplier.
Running costs and tariffs
How much does it cost to run a radTherm electric radiator?
It depends on room size, insulation, how you use it and your tariff, so there’s no single figure that’s accurate for every home. Room-by-room control means you only pay for the heat you actually use, and once a room is up to temperature a radTherm radiator draws power for around 12 to 15 minutes an hour. At the free survey we give you an estimate for your home. How running costs work
Are electric radiators cheaper to run than storage heaters?
In most cases, yes. Storage heaters charge overnight and release that heat the next day whether you’re home or not. radTherm radiators only heat when you tell them to, room by room, which is why most customers switching from storage heaters see their usage drop.
Do I have to stay on Economy 7?
No. radTherm radiators work on a standard tariff, so switching gives you the option to leave Economy 7 if it no longer suits you, though you can stay on it if you prefer.
How do Economy 7 and single-rate tariffs compare?
Economy 7 gives you cheaper electricity overnight but a more expensive daytime rate, which affects everything from the kettle to the TV. A good single-rate tariff is often cheaper overall if you don’t need to charge storage heaters overnight.
Is it true electric heaters can run for 1p an hour?
Sometimes, under specific conditions: a low-wattage heater, run briefly, on a cheap tariff, in a small or well-insulated room. It’s not a realistic figure for heating a whole home through a normal evening, and we’d rather be upfront about that.
Does insulation help?
Yes. Good loft insulation, double glazing and draught-proofing all reduce heat loss, so they help keep your heating costs down too.
Why not buy cheap electric heaters from a DIY store?
They tend to have small, flat surfaces and short warranties, so they’re less effective, cost more to run and aren’t designed to last. Portable heaters are made for occasional use, not for heating a whole home every day.
The radiators
How do electric radiators actually work?
Inside a radTherm radiator is a patented heat-retention core, heated by an electric element and controlled by a built-in digital thermostat. The core heats up in minutes and holds that heat, and the thermostat cycles the element on and off to hold the temperature you set.
Are radTherm radiators made in Germany?
Yes. They’re manufactured in Germany, and every radiator carries the same 30-year manufacturer’s guarantee whatever its size or finish.
How long does a radTherm radiator take to heat up?
Minutes, not hours. Unlike a storage heater, which has to charge overnight, the heat-retention core heats up quickly whenever you switch it on.
What size radiator do I need for my room?
It depends on the room’s size, ceiling height, insulation and how exposed it is. That’s what the free survey is for: Neil measures up and recommends the right size and output for each room.
Can I control my radiators from my phone?
Yes, with the radTherm app, included as standard. Every radiator also has its own D-Basic digital thermostat, so the app is optional. Smart control and the app
Can you fit a timer to my hot water tank?
Yes. We fit Timeguard immersion timers as standard.
Replacing storage heaters
Can you really replace storage heaters with electric radiators?
Yes. It’s the switch we make most often, and removing storage heaters and fitting radTherm radiators is usually a one-day job. Replacing storage heaters
Are modern storage heaters, like Dimplex Quantum, any good?
Compared with an old storage heater, yes: modern high heat retention heaters hold heat better and have more responsive controls. They still work the same way, though: charge overnight, release through the day, whether you’re using the room or not.
Do you install Dimplex Quantum or other storage heaters?
No. We specialise in radTherm electric radiators, not storage heaters of any brand. If you’re open to comparing storage heating with something that heats on demand, that’s exactly what we do.
Do storage heaters work with smart meters?
Not always smoothly. Economy 7 was built around older meters, and some smart meter installations don’t line up cleanly with a storage heater’s charge cycle. It’s a common reason people switch, and something we can talk through at your survey.
Hot water (Sunamp)
What is a Sunamp Thermino?
A heat battery. It stores heat in a compact thermal core rather than keeping a large tank of water hot all day, so there’s no standing heat loss, and it’s up to four times smaller than a traditional cylinder. Sunamp hot water
Can a Sunamp work with solar panels or Economy 7?
Yes. Sunamp pairs well with solar PV, Economy 7 and EV tariffs, so it can use whichever cheaper or greener electricity your home already has.
How long does a Sunamp last?
Sunamp systems are designed to last fifty years and counting, with a 10-year warranty on the thermal core.
Do you install Sunamp across the South West?
Yes. We install Sunamp across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, fitted by our own engineers.
Guarantee and aftercare
Am I covered if something goes wrong with my new heating?
Yes. The key components in every radiator are backed by a 30-year guarantee, underwritten by the manufacturer, and our own 5-year repair service covers parts and labour. If there’s any problem with our workmanship, we’ll repair or replace it free of charge.
What happens if I’m not happy with my installation?
Call us: we’re only ever a phone call away, and we’ll listen and do our best to put it right. If we can’t resolve a complaint through our own complaints policy, as a Which? Trusted Trader we use the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, on 0333 241 3209.
Is there an emergency number if my heating stops working?
Yes. Our aftercare line is open 24/7: call 01209 714600 and we’ll help.
About us
How long has South West Heating Solutions been trading?
30 years, fitting electric heating and hot water systems across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.
Are you really a Which? Trusted Trader?
Yes, since 2015. It’s an independently verified listing, and you can check it on Which?’s own site.
Which areas do you cover?
Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. If you’re outside our area, call us and we can put you in touch with a carefully selected local company. Areas we cover