You can buy an oil-filled radiator from a high street store for £50-£150. The NEOS electric radiator costs more. So what’s the difference, and is the NEOS worth the investment?
Let’s compare these two types of electric heating honestly.
Oil-filled radiators contain thermal oil that’s heated by an electric element. The hot oil circulates inside the radiator, warming the metal casing, which then radiates heat into your room.
They’re portable, plug-and-play, and cheap to buy. But there are significant limitations.
1. Slow to Produce Heat Oil-filled radiators are painfully slow. The heating element must first warm the oil, then the oil must warm the casing, and finally the casing radiates heat into the air.
This multi-step process means you’re waiting 30-60 minutes (or longer) before feeling any meaningful warmth. If you come home to a cold house, you’re in for a long wait.
2. Radiant Heating Only Oil-filled radiators are primarily radiant heaters, not convection heaters. This means they heat objects and people directly in front of them, but they don’t actively circulate warm air throughout the room.
The result? Uneven heating. The area immediately around the radiator gets warm, but distant corners stay cold. You end up with hot spots and cold spots instead of consistent room temperature.
3. Not Suitable for Larger Spaces Because oil-filled radiators rely on radiant heating, they struggle in larger rooms. They simply don’t have the power or air circulation capability to heat spaces effectively beyond a few square meters.
4. Very Heavy Oil-filled radiators are extremely heavy—often 10-15kg or more—because of the oil inside. This makes them difficult to move from room to room despite being marketed as “portable.”
5. Shorter Guarantees Most oil-filled radiators come with 1-2 year warranties. They’re built as short-term, disposable heating solutions, not long-term investments.
1. Fast Heat-Up Time The NEOS starts
convecting heat into your room within 6 minutes. The aluminium casing heats rapidly, and you feel the difference almost immediately—no waiting around in the cold.
2. Convection-Based Heating The NEOS is 80% convection, 20% radiant. It actively draws cold air from floor level, heats it rapidly, and circulates warm air throughout your entire room. This creates even temperature distribution from floor to ceiling—no cold spots, no hot spots.
3. Suitable for Any Room Size Because the NEOS uses convection heating, it’s effective in larger spaces. We calculate the exact kW output you need based on your room measurements, insulation, and property type. Whether it’s a small bedroom or a large living room, the NEOS delivers consistent warmth.
4. Lightweight and Wall-Mounted The NEOS weighs around 20kg on average and mounts securely to your wall. It doesn’t take up floor space, and you don’t need to move it around. Once installed, it’s a permanent, reliable heating solution.
5. 25-Year Guarantee The NEOS comes with a 25-year guarantee on the radiator and 5 years on the thermostat—the longest in the heating industry. This isn’t a disposable heater you replace every few years. It’s a long-term investment in your home’s comfort.
6. Smart Heat Storage Here’s the crucial difference: the NEOS electric radiator features a patented soapstone core that stores heat and releases it gradually. Even after the heating element switches off, the soapstone continues warming your room.
This means the NEOS runs for only 17-30 minutes per hour once your room reaches temperature. Oil-filled radiators have no storage technology—they must run continuously to maintain heat.
Yes, oil-filled radiators are cheaper upfront. But consider this:
Oil-Filled Radiator:
Purchase: £50-£150
Lifespan: 2-5 years
Running costs: High (continuous operation)
Effectiveness: Limited (slow, uneven, small spaces only)
Replacement cycle: Every 2-5 years
Total cost over 25 years: £250-£750 in purchases + high running costs
NEOS Electric Radiator:
Purchase: One-time investment
Lifespan: 25+ years (guaranteed)
Running costs: Lower (17-30 min/hour operation)
Effectiveness: Excellent (fast, even, any room size)
Replacement: None needed
Total cost over 25 years: One purchase + lower running costs
The NEOS isn’t just a radiator, it’s a long-term heating solution that pays for itself through reliability, efficiency, and longevity.
Oil-filled radiators are cheap, slow, heavy, and suitable only for supplementary heating in small spaces. The NEOS electric radiator is a professional heating solution designed for whole-room comfort, with fast heat-up, even temperature distribution, smart storage technology, and a 25-year guarantee.
If you’re tired of slow, uneven heating from cheap portable heaters, let’s talk.
Call 0800 5999 109 or email [email protected] for a free, no-obligation quote.
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
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