How Is the NEOS Electric Radiator Different from Other German Radiators?

If you’ve been researching electric radiators, you’ve probably encountered German brands. Many look similar, sleek aluminium designs with storage cores. So what makes the NEOS different? The answer lies in what’s inside.

The German Radiator Market

Many German electric radiators look virtually identical because they often come from the same manufacturers or use similar designs. They typically feature:

• Aluminium casings

• Storage cores for heat retention

• Similar dimensions and aesthetics

• Premium pricing

On the surface, they seem comparable to the NEOS. But the critical difference is the core material.

Clay Cores vs Soapstone Cores

Most German radiators contain clay cores (also called chamotte or grog). Clay is a common, inexpensive material that provides some heat retention, but it has significant limitations.

The NEOS electric radiator uses a soapstone core. This isn’t just a different material, it’s a fundamentally superior technology.

Why Clay Cores Fall Short

1. Porous Structure Clay is porous, meaning it has tiny holes and gaps throughout the material. When moisture from the air passes through these pores, the clay absorbs it.

2. Expansion and Contraction As clay absorbs moisture, it expands. When it dries out, it contracts. This constant expansion and contraction creates stress within the material.

3. Cracking Over Time The stress from moisture-related expansion and contraction causes small cracks to form in clay cores, similar to how a river bed forms through erosion. These cracks worsen over time, reducing the core’s heat retention capacity.

4. Degraded Performance As cracks develop, the clay core becomes less effective at storing and releasing heat. A radiator that performed well in year one may struggle by year five or ten.

Why Soapstone Is Superior

1. Non-Porous Soapstone is non-porous, meaning it doesn’t absorb moisture from the air. Without moisture absorption, there’s no expansion, no contraction, and no cracking.

2. Extreme Compression The NEOS soapstone core is compressed from 16cm to just 2cm using 200 tonnes of pressure. This creates an incredibly dense, durable core with maximum heat storage capacity in minimal space.

3. Superior Heat Retention Soapstone has been used for thousands of years in heating and cooking because of its exceptional ability to absorb, hold, and radiate heat. It outperforms clay in every measure of thermal performance.

4. Consistent Performance Because soapstone doesn’t crack or degrade, the NEOS electric radiator performs just as well in year 20 as it did in year one. This is why we can offer a 25-year guarantee.

Proven Over Millennia

Soapstone isn’t a new, untested material. It’s been used for thousands of years in:

• Wood-burning stoves (Scandinavia)

• Cooking surfaces (worldwide)

• Thermal mass in traditional heating systems

Its durability and thermal properties are proven across centuries of use.

We also encourage customers to ask their heating engineer to perform the “Soapstone Test”, a demonstration that shows the difference in heat retention between soapstone and other materials.

The NEOS Advantage

When you choose a NEOS electric radiator, you’re getting:

• Patented soapstone core technology (not generic clay)

• British manufacturing (not imported from Germany)

• 25-year guarantee (not 2-5 years like many competitors)

• Family business values (not corporate sales tactics)

• Proven durability (soapstone that lasts decades, not clay that cracks)

Why German Radiators Use Clay

Clay is cheaper than soapstone and easier to source. For manufacturers focused on margins rather than quality, clay makes economic sense, even if it means reduced longevity and performance.

At Trust Electric Heating, we chose soapstone because we build radiators for the long term. We’re a family business that stands behind our product for 25 years.

The Bottom Line

Many German radiators look similar to the NEOS, but they contain clay cores that are porous, prone to cracking, and degrade over time. The NEOS uses a patented compressed soapstone core that’s non-porous, durable, and guaranteed for 25 years.

Since 2014, thousands of customers across the UK have chosen Trust Electric Heating for radiators built with superior materials that actually last.

See the Difference for Yourself

Want to understand why soapstone outperforms clay?

Call 0800 5999 109 or email [email protected] for a free consultation and demonstration.

Scott Conor

Chief Technical Officer

In 2012, Scott founded Trust and invented the NEOS electric radiator after finding a gap for a more innovative and cost-effective electric radiator within the industry. He’s the driving force behind Trust’s research and development, using market-leading strategies to keep customers warm.

Meet the Team | More Blogs from Scott

Tags: General Guides.