Radiant Heat vs Convection Heat

Not all heating feels the same. Some radiators blast hot air that rises to the ceiling. Others provide gentle warmth you can feel when you’re close. Understanding the difference between radiant heat and convection helps you choose the right heating system for your home.

The NEOS Heating Split

The NEOS electric radiator is primarily a convection-based heating system. This means:

• 80% of the heat comes from the convection process

• 20% is radiant heat that you can feel directly from the radiator

Let’s break down what this means in practical terms.

What Is Convection Heating?

Convection heating works by moving air. The NEOS electric radiator draws cold air in from floor level, heats it rapidly using the aluminium casing and soapstone core, then releases warm air into your room through double or triple convection flutes.

This creates a natural circulation pattern:

• Cold air (which naturally sinks) is drawn in at the bottom

• It’s heated quickly inside the radiator

• Warm air rises and circulates throughout the room

• The process repeats, creating even heat distribution

Because the NEOS measures room temperature at floor level (the coldest part of the room), you get consistent warmth from floor to ceiling. No more cold feet while the top half of your room is too hot.

What Is Radiant Heat?

Radiant heat is the warmth you feel directly from the radiator itself, similar to standing in sunlight. With the NEOS, you can feel this radiant heat when you’re close to the radiator, particularly from the top lid.

This 20% radiant component provides:

• Immediate warmth when you’re near the radiator

• A cosy feeling in the immediate vicinity

• Supplementary heat that complements the convection process

Why Convection Is Better for Whole-Room Heating

Convection-based heating is more effective for warming entire rooms because it actively circulates air. 

Radiant heaters (like oil-filled radiators) primarily heat objects and people directly in their line of sight, which means:

• Uneven temperature distribution

• Cold spots away from the heater

• Less effective in larger spaces

The NEOS electric radiator’s 80% convection focus ensures your entire room reaches a comfortable, even temperature, not just the area immediately around the radiator.

How This Compares to Other Systems

• Oil-filled radiators: Primarily radiant (slow, uneven heating)

• Panel heaters: 100% convection (fast but no heat retention)

• Storage heaters: Primarily radiant (limited control)

• NEOS electric radiator: 80% convection + 20% radiant (fast, even heating with storage)

This combination gives you the best of both worlds: quick, even room heating with the cosy feeling of radiant warmth when you’re nearby.

The Bottom Line

The NEOS electric radiator’s 80/20 convection-to-radiant ratio is engineered for optimal whole-room heating. 

Since 2014, thousands of customers across the UK have chosen Trust Electric Heating for heating solutions that actually warm their entire space evenly.

Experience the Difference

Want to feel how NEOS heating works? Book a free consultation and our engineer will demonstrate.

 Call 0800 5999 109 or email [email protected] today.

Trust Electric Heating, engineered for even, comfortable warmth.

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 for less.

Meet the Team | More Blogs from Scott

Tags: General Guides.