Fan assisted radiator pros and cons

Want to increase your radiators’ output without sacrificing on space? Then you might be eyeing up fan assisted radiators – also known as hydronic fan convectors.

But are they really a good idea? Here, we’ll walk you through the key fan assisted radiator pros and cons to help you decide. But first…

What are fan convectors?

Fan assisted radiators – or hydronic fan convectors – are plumbed into a wet system, just like conventional radiators.

However, they also have a built-in electric fan to increase performance.

The fan draws in cooler air, which it passes over the heat exchanger.

This allows fan assisted radiators to disperse heat through the room quickly and gently, instead of producing isolated spots of warm air.

Most fan assisted radiators are wall-mounted. However, they’re also available as kitchen plinth heaters, which tuck neatly into your kitchen’s plinth to save even more space.

Fan assisted radiator pros

So, are fan assisted radiators just as great as they seem to be?

Here are the main fan assisted radiator pros:

Performance

Thanks to the built-in fan that increases airflow around the heat exchanger, fan assisted radiators can increase convection by up to 80%!

This allows them to produce up to three times more heat output than a conventional radiator of the same size.

Compact

Fan assisted radiators hold less water than conventional radiators.

This means they tend to be much smaller and more lightweight, which can save you space in the home.

In particular, kitchen plinth heaters are tucked beneath your kitchen units, freeing up wall space so that you can maximise the space in your home.

Quiet

Many homeowners worry that fan assisted radiators will be noisy.

However, the built-in fan operates silently, meaning you’ll benefit from increased heat output without any disruption.

Effective at low temperatures

Fan assisted radiators operate effectively at low temperatures.

This makes them the perfect pairing for heat pumps, which tend to operate at lower temperatures than gas boilers.

Low running costs

Fan assisted radiators are usually cost-effective to run as they use your existing heating source – whether that’s a boiler or a heat pump – to heat your home.

Just bear in mind the electric fan will add a small running cost when it’s switched on.

Fan assisted radiator cons

Fan assisted radiators come with lots of benefits, but there are a few negatives too.

Here are the main fan assisted radiator negatives:

High upfront cost

The main negative when it comes to fan assisted radiators is the high upfront cost in comparison to standard radiators.

You’re looking at around £400 for an average hydronic fan convector radiator, or around £175 for a kitchen plinth heater.

Plus, around £275 for installation.

Head over to our fan assisted radiators cost guide to learn more.

Requires maintenance

You’ll need to clean out the filters roughly every few weeks.

This is a quick job, but one that you wouldn’t need to worry about with a standard radiator.

Fan assisted radiator pros and cons: key takeaways

As you can see, fan assisted radiators have lots of pros – and a few cons.

Although they won’t be for everyone, for the right homeowner, they’ll be worth the cost.

• Fan assisted radiators can deliver up to three times more heat output than conventional radiators of the same size
• They’re compact, lightweight and can help you save space
• They’re ideal for use with heat pumps, as they work effectively at low temperatures
• Their high upfront cost can be offset by low running costs

Keen to get a fan assisted radiator installed?

It’s quick and easy to find the right trade for the job here at Checkatrade.

All our tradespeople have to pass up to 12 checks and are regularly reviewed on everything from punctuality to professionalism.

In fact, we’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000* (guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility and T&Cs apply).

Enter your postcode into the search box below to get started.

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FAQs

Are fan assisted radiators more efficient?

Yes! In fact, fan assisted radiators can deliver up to three times more heat output than conventional radiators of the same size.

Are radiator fans a good idea?

Radiator fans can be a great way to distribute heat evenly around a room and prevent hot spots.

What is the difference between a convector and a fan heater?

Fan heaters and hydronic fan convectors both use a fan to blow air over a heating element.

However, a fan heater is a type of electric heater. Meanwhile, a hydronic fan convector is plumbed into your wet heating system.

In this way, a fan heater uses electricity to run, while a hydronic convector uses your existing heating system – often a gas boiler – with just a little bit of electricity needed to operate the fan.

Are fan heaters cheaper to run than radiators?

Fan heaters tend to be more expensive to run than standard radiators as they use electricity.

On the other hand, fan assisted radiators can be a great alternative. They’re plumbed in like a standard radiator, but have the added help of an electric fan to aid heat distribution when you want it!

Are convectors expensive to run?

Hydronic fan convectors aren’t expensive to run, as they rely on your existing heating source – whether that’s a boiler or a heat pump – and are very efficient.

They just require a little bit of electricity to operate the fan.