Electric Heating
Smart shifts in electric heating
Why wholesalers should be watching the thermal storage revolution…
T
he electrification of heat is a
cornerstone of the UK’s energy strategy to stabilise energy prices, improve energy security and meet Net Zero targets ahead of 2050.
From off-peak optimisation to grid flexibility and smarter energy use, electric heating is no longer just a compliance solution: it is a commercial opportunity. Here, Caroline Shaw from Dimplex UK provides advice for wholesalers responding to rising demand for electric heating, exploring the possibilities offered by innovative, next-generation storage heating.
Electric heating has moved from the sidelines to play a central role in the UK’s ambitious march toward Net Zero - and for wholesalers, that presents a compelling opportunity. With government funding initiatives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme; VAT relief on low-carbon heating; the Warm Homes Plan; and upcoming regulation of Energy Smart Appliances, the electric heating market is undergoing a major transformation. With government policies targeting energy volatility and carbon reduction targets, such as
the phase-out of gas boilers, funding support for low carbon heating and the planned reform of energy pricing, the shift toward electrification is accelerating and the market is experiencing a transformative moment. But this shift is not just about replacing gas boilers with heat pumps. It is about leveraging smarter, more efficient solutions that unlock value for households, developers, energy networks and, crucially, for the electrical wholesale sector.
At the heart of this revolution is the modern electric storage heater, an evolution driven by intelligent control, demand optimisation and grid responsiveness. In this changing landscape, wholesalers have a vital role to play, not only as suppliers, but as educators and partners in shaping the next chapter of home heating.
The rise of smart thermal storage Storage heating is not new, but traditional night storage heaters, once the staple of off mains gas homes, have been reimagined for the smart era. Today’s models, such as those in the Dimplex Quantum range, bear little resemblance to the bulky, inflexible units of the past.
The first, and most advanced of the modern generation of “high heat retention” storage heaters, Quantum heaters are recognised within
22 | electrical wholesalerSeptember 2025
SAP thanks to their “space age” insulation which allows heat to be stored during cheaper, off- peak periods - typically overnight or around midday - and retained until the occupants need it for warmth. The Quantum’s advanced control algorithms, enhanced and refined with over a decade of user-feedback, use adaptive charging to ensure they only store the amount of heat required each day, making optimum use of off-peak energy to provide great comfort at lower cost. Crucially, they are ideally placed to take advantage of the time-of-use tariffs, smart metering systems and even demand- side response programmes that will become a necessary part of the energy market to support a more flexible grid.
Dimplex Quantum HHR heaters can store and manage energy usage in real time, adjusting based on user habits, temperature forecasts and grid conditions. This brings immediate benefits to consumers in terms of comfort and running costs but also supports broader decarbonisation goals by reducing peak demand and helping to balance renewable supply.
Why electric heating is gaining ground The drivers behind the electric heating shift are strong and growing. The UK Government has made it clear that decarbonising heat is essential
ewnews.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
