Vertical radiator: electric or hot water?
In short
- Size for size, a hot water vertical radiator gives more heat and costs less than an electric one: in 1800 x 500 mm, 1,845 W for €450.22 against 1,250 W for €661.17 (Stelrad Vertex Plan, incl. VAT).
- A hot water model needs a flow and return pipe from the central heating. An electric model only needs a power supply at the chosen spot.
- With water at 55/45 °C, typical of a low temperature system, a Stelrad Vertex type 22 at 1800 x 500 mm gives only 1,003 W, against 1,980 W at 75/65 °C.
A vertical radiator, electric or hot water, heats the same room in two ways: with water from the central heating, or with an element on the mains. The right choice depends on the pipes already in place, the temperature of your heating water and budget. Here we compare, at equal height and width, the hot water vertical radiators and electric vertical radiators in our range.
Last updated: October 2026. Prices recorded in the shop on 20/10/2026, incl. VAT.
What is the difference between an electric and a hot water vertical radiator?
The heat source. A hot water radiator is part of the central heating: water heated by the boiler or heat pump flows through it. An electric radiator has a heating element and works on its own, with no pipes.
In our range, the same model comes in both versions: the Stelrad Vertex Plan, with a flat front, in 1800 x 500 and 1800 x 600 mm. That is the fairest comparison, as shape and footprint are identical. For design choices, see our article on the flat panel designer radiator.
Which gives more heat at the same size?
Hot water, clearly, when the heating water is hot enough. Here are our pairs of identical sizes, with output and price incl. VAT:
| Size (H x W) | Electric (Stelrad Vertex Plan) | Hot water (Stelrad Vertex Plan type 22) | Hot water (Belrad Vertex Plan type 22) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 x 500 mm | 1,250 W · €661.17 | 1,845 W · €450.22 | 1,708 W · €349.11 |
| 1800 x 600 mm | 1,500 W · €712.46 | 2,214 W · €501.28 | 2,049 W · €390.56 |
In 1800 x 500 mm, the hot water Vertex Plan states 1,845 W, 595 W more than the 1,250 W electric version. In 1800 x 600 mm, the gap rises to 714 W. The electric radiator, however, delivers its full output as soon as it is on, whatever the temperature of the central heating water.
To work out how many watts your room needs, follow our French guide to calculating radiator output. Sizes and outputs of all our hot water verticals are in our vertical radiator guide.
Does your central heating run at low temperature?
If so, the comparison changes. A hot water radiator's output is stated to EN 442 for water at 75 °C flow and 65 °C return, in a room at 20 °C. With cooler water, it gives less.
Stelrad's technical documentation quantifies this for the Vertex range, the profiled version of the Vertex Plan:
| Vertex type 22 (hot water) | 75/65 °C | 70/50 °C | 55/45 °C | Electric, same size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 x 500 mm | 1,980 W | 1,471 W | 1,003 W | 1,250 W |
| 1800 x 600 mm | 2,376 W | 1,765 W | 1,204 W | 1,500 W |
At 55/45 °C, a low temperature regime often used with heat pumps, the Stelrad Vertex type 22 at 1800 x 500 mm gives 1,003 W, less than the 1,250 W electric model of the same size. Ask your installer for your real water temperature before comparing watts.
How much does each version cost?
Electric costs about €211 more with Stelrad, size for size: €661.17 against €450.22 in 1800 x 500 mm, €712.46 against €501.28 in 1800 x 600 mm. The hot water Belrad Vertex Plan is the cheapest, at €349.11 for 1,708 W.
The purchase price is not the whole story. For hot water, add a valve and the heating engineer's work. For electric, add running costs: according to Test-Achats, a resistance turns all its electricity into heat, so no direct electric heater gets more heat from a kWh than another. A 1,250 W model therefore uses at most 1.25 kWh per hour at full output.
What does installing each version involve?
Pipes for hot water, a power supply for electric.
- Hot water: a flow and return from the circuit, at the right pipe centres. According to Stelrad's documentation, Vertex radiators have four ½ inch connections, including a central one. Add a thermostatic valve to control the room. The installer drains the circuit, connects, repressurises and bleeds.
- Electric: no pipes. You need a power supply at the chosen spot. If there is none, have an electrician install the circuit.
Swapping a horizontal radiator for a hot water vertical almost always means moving pipes. That is often where electric becomes simpler.
When to choose one or the other?
- Central heating pipes are close by: hot water. More watts for less money, and heating that follows the rest of the house.
- No pipes reach the room (extension, loft room, flat with electric heating): electric, with no plumbing work.
- The room is rarely used, such as a study or guest room: electric, on only when you need it.
- Your system runs at low temperature: check the real output of the hot water model, or choose a wider one.
For a bathroom, the question is different: our article on the bathroom radiator, hot water or electric compares towel radiators.
Frequently asked questions about electric and hot water vertical radiators
Does a vertical electric radiator use a lot of electricity?
At most its output multiplied by running time: 1.25 kWh per hour for the 1,250 W model, 1.5 kWh for the 1,500 W one. Real consumption depends on running time and on how the appliance is controlled.
Can I replace a hot water vertical radiator with an electric one?
Yes. The heating engineer disconnects and caps the pipes, then the electric radiator is fixed to the wall. You need a power supply at that spot, installed by an electrician if there is none.
Does a vertical radiator heat less than a horizontal one?
No, not at the same output. What matters is the output in watts stated by the manufacturer: a 1,845 W vertical heats as much as a 1,845 W horizontal radiator in the same conditions.
Does a hot water vertical radiator work with a heat pump?
Yes, but it gives less heat when the water is cooler. According to Stelrad's documentation, a Vertex type 22 at 1800 x 500 mm drops from 1,980 W at 75/65 °C to 1,003 W at 55/45 °C.
How much does a vertical electric radiator cost?
In our shop, the Stelrad Vertex Plan electric costs €661.17 in 1800 x 500 mm (1,250 W) and €712.46 in 1800 x 600 mm (1,500 W), incl. VAT, prices recorded on 20/10/2026.
See vertical radiators
Size and output are on every product page: see hot water vertical radiators or see electric vertical radiators. Collection is at our shop in Schaerbeek, where you can also ask about your installation.
Sources: Bati-Mat Shop range (outputs from product titles and manufacturer data, prices incl. VAT recorded on 20/10/2026) · Stelrad, Vertex technical documentation, outputs to EN 442 at 75/65/20, 70/50/20 and 55/45/20 °C · Test-Achats (Belgian consumer association), electric heating report, 2019.