3 Best Wall Mounted Oil Filled Radiators For Large Rooms

Oil-filled radiators are a sought after alternative to the traditional radiator, no longer are they bulky stand-alone units, now you can get oil-filled radiators that look just like normal radiators and can even be wall-mounted.

Oil radiators offer a cheaper alternative as they are excellent at retaining heat and cool down much slower than traditional alternatives.

In this article, we go into depth with answering all the common questions people have about oil-filled radiators, take a look at how to mount one on a wall, some of the current best sellers and a break down of your top options.

It’s a rather long article, so if you have a particular section you’re more interested in, click one of the links below:

3 Best Wall Mounted Oil Filled Radiators To Heat Large Rooms

Want to find out what the best wall mounted oil-filled radiators available are? I’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Looking into the descriptions, features, efficiency, reviews and importantly price, I’ve narrowed down the top 3 options available.

What to Look Out For When Buying an Oil-filled Radiator

In this section, you will find some of the most common questions and queries around oil-filled radiators, most about their efficiency and whether they are any good. Keep reading to find out more before choosing which wall mounted oil-filled radiator is best for you.

How Big of an Oil Radiator Do I Need?

Choosing the right size oil-filled radiator is crucial. Smaller rooms typically require radiators with lower wattage, such as a 500W model. Conversely, larger spaces may necessitate more powerful units, potentially up to 1800W.

What is the Most Efficient Oil-filled Radiator?

All oil-filled radiators on the UK market should be highly energy-efficient and there generally a lot more efficient than other counterparts. That being said, you can increase the energy efficiency of an oil-filled radiator by going for one that has a timer and thermostatic controls, this allows you to have the radiator running on a schedule so you don’t have it on as often and can control its energy efficiency to a T.

Energy Saving Features To Look Out For

• Smart Controls: Many oil-filled radiators now offer Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to adjust temperature remotely via a smartphone app.
• Flexibility and Convenience: Portable options make it easy to heat specific rooms as needed, offering flexibility and convenience.
• Precise Temperature Control: Accurate thermostats ensure efficient heating and prevent energy waste.

Benefits of Wall Mounted Oil Filled Radiators

When compared to freestanding radiators, wall-mounted oil-filled radiators offer numerous advantages, including improved space efficiency and enhanced overall heating performance.

Hold Heat for Longer

Oil-filled radiators are known for their top notch heat retention, which reduces energy usage and helps lower your heating bills.

• Slow heat release: The oil within the radiator holds onto the heat even after the radiator is turned off. This slowly releases the heat over a much longer period of time compared to electric systems.
• Energy Savings: This slow release means the radiator doesn’t need to be turned on to continue heating your home, saving on energy costs.

Effortless Control and Personalised Settings

Wall-mounted oil-filled radiators offer unparalleled control, making them incredibly convenient and adaptable to your lifestyle.

• Smart Home Integration: Many models seamlessly integrate with smart home systems, allowing you to adjust temperature settings effortlessly from anywhere using a smartphone app or voice assistant.
• Personalised Comfort: Programmable settings empower you to create customized heating schedules that perfectly align with your daily routine. Enjoy the warmth of a cozy home upon arrival while conserving energy during your absence.

Effortless Installation

One of the major advantages of wall-mounted oil-filled radiators is their remarkably easy installation. Unlike traditional heating systems that often require extensive setup, these radiators can be installed quickly and easily, even as a DIY project.

• DIY Installation: Equipped with all the necessary fixtures, including wall brackets and templates, these radiators are designed for straightforward installation. With basic DIY skills, most homeowners can easily mount them themselves.
• Professional Option for Added Peace of Mind: For those who prefer professional installation, hardwiring the radiator is an option. While it’s advisable to consult a qualified electrician for this, it still offers a quicker and more cost-effective solution compared to many traditional heating systems.

Mould Prevention for A Healthy Home

Wall-mounted oil-filled radiators play a crucial role in creating a healthier home environment by minimising the risk of mould growth.

• Great in Older Homes: Particularly beneficial in older homes with less-than-perfect ventilation, oil-filled radiators ensure a consistent flow of warm air, significantly reducing the risk of mould development.  
• Great Heat Distribution: These radiators distribute warmth evenly throughout the room, eliminating cold spots and damp areas where mould thrives.  

Budget-Friendly Heating: Affordable and Cost-Effective

Affordability is a key consideration when choosing a home heating system. Wall-mounted oil-filled radiators offer a budget-friendly solution compared to many other options.

• No Hidden Costs: Unlike central heating systems, oil-filled radiators typically avoid hidden charges or expensive ongoing maintenance fees, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious homeowners.
• Cost-Effective Investment: These radiators are generally more economical than traditional heating systems, both in terms of initial purchase price and installation costs. Even models with a slightly higher upfront cost often prove more cost-effective in the long run due to their energy efficiency.

Wall-mounted oil-filled radiators offer a compelling combination of benefits. From easy installation and cost-effectiveness to excellent heat retention and user-friendly controls, these systems provide a comfortable, energy-efficient, and mould-resistant heating solution for your home.

Disadvantages of Oil-filled Radiators

• Slow Warm-up Time: Oil-filled radiators can take a considerable amount of time to heat up, meaning they may not provide instant warmth when needed.  
• Slower Heat Distribution: Compared to some other heating methods, oil-filled radiators can be slower to distribute heat evenly throughout a room.
• Bulkier Design: While slimline models are available, oil-filled radiators generally tend to be larger and heavier than some other electric heaters.  
• Potential for Overheating: The surface temperature of oil-filled radiators can become quite hot, posing a potential safety hazard for children and pets.  
• Note: The risk of pipes freezing is not a significant concern for modern, well-maintained oil-filled radiators.

How To Hang A Wall Mounted Oil Filled Radiator

Oil-filled radiators are slightly easier to hang than standard radiators as there is no need to worry about the pipes. First you want to choose the best location.

Best Place To Hang A Radiator

To ensure your wall-mounted oil-filled radiator heats your room most effectively, strategic placement is crucial. By positioning it correctly, you can maximize heat distribution and minimize energy waste.

Do’s:

• For maximum efficiency, install your wall-mounted oil-filled radiator on an interior wall rather than an exterior wall. Exterior walls require more energy to heat, making heating less efficient.
• To ensure even heating and maximise efficiency, position your wall-mounted oil-filled radiator in the coldest area of the room. This allows the unit to work most effectively, warming the coldest spot and distributing heat evenly throughout the space.

Don’ts:

• Avoid installing radiators in corners, as this can limit their heating capacity. Modern oil-filled radiators boast sleek designs that blend seamlessly with any room’s aesthetic, eliminating the need to hide them in corners.
• Avoid placing the radiator near full-length curtains or large pieces of furniture. These can obstruct heat distribution and absorb heat, hindering effective room warming.
• Don’t mounting below windows. Traditionally, radiators were placed beneath windows to capitalise on the principle of conduction. Cold air entering the room through the window would come into direct contact with the warm radiator, increasing heat output. However, in modern homes with double-glazed windows, this effect is significantly reduced due to the improved insulation.

Mounting The Radiator

Here’s a quick step by step:

1. Find the Centre: Use a spirit level to create a straight, horizontal line across the wall where you plan to mount the radiator. This will serve as your center line.
2. Determine Height: Measure and mark the desired height for the top of the radiator on the center line.
3. Mark Bracket Positions: Measure the distance between the radiator’s support brackets. Transfer these measurements to the wall, marking the positions for each bracket on the centre line.
4. Secure Brackets: Carefully screw the brackets into the wall, ensuring they are securely fastened. Allow for slight adjustments to ensure the radiator hangs level.
5. Hang the Radiator: Carefully lift and hang the radiator onto the mounted brackets.

Tips:

• Use a Stud Finder: Locate wall studs for more secure bracket installation.
• Level Check: Use a spirit level to ensure the radiator is perfectly level before securing it to the brackets.
• Consult the Manual: Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific mounting guidelines.

A lot of the radiators come with the brackets, but if not you might need to buy some. It’s fairly straight forward and easy to do so you shouldn’t have an issue!

FAQs for Wall Mounted Oil Filled Radiators

Still got a lasting question about oil-filled radiators? I’ve pulled together some of the most commonly searched ones and answered them for you below:

Oil-filled vs Electric Heater

The heating element of an oil-filled radiator is the same as described in the aforementioned question. Most models also have a low energy setting as well, but typically speaking if you pay the average electricity rate which is around 12p in the UK, you’ll pay around 8p per hour that the heater is running at the lowest setting.

It’s exactly what you would pay for traditional radiators, however, you may need to run the heater for less time due to the heat retention being far superior.

Are Ceramic Heaters Better Than Oil-filled?

There’s no straight forward answer to this question, it depends on you personally and what you want out of your radiators. Oil-filled radiators take longer to heat, but they heat more evenly and will maintain the heat for a much longer period when switching it off, so you don’t tend to need to leave them on as long. Ceramic, on the other hand, heats quickly, but they can often be patchy in the areas they heat and they’ll lose heat a lot quicker.

You should consider buying an oil-filled radiator if

• Your looking for a long term heating solution for a medium to large-sized room
• If you prefer the room to be quiet, as they operate very quietly
• If you have allergies these are better as ceramic heaters have fans to disperse the heat

You may prefer a ceramic heater if you want to heat a smaller room instantly, there also safer for children because they don’t hold the heat as long, so you have more control.

Can You Leave an Oil-filled Radiator on All The Time?

Generally speaking, oil-filled radiators are pretty safe, but if you’re going to leave them on overnight, make sure they have some kind of protection like a tilt switch that should anything go wrong with the heater, it shuts off automatically.

Do All Oil-filled Radiators Come With Timers or Thermostats?

No – some of the basic models won’t come with timers or thermostats attached, so if you want more control over your heating and maximise efficiency you should go for a slightly more expensive model that includes these features.

Do Oil-filled Radiators Give Off Fumes?

There are no dangerous fumes, however, on the first few uses of an oil-filled radiator it can give off an odour, but this doesn’t last forever and after a few uses it shouldn’t smell anymore. If it does, here is a helpful resource.