Why choose our portable electric heaters?

Manufactured in the UK, Purmo electric radiators from Thermosoft are built to warm homes during freezing European winters.

As one of the only true electric radiators on the Australian market, a Purmo electric heater creates the luxury of radiant central heating at approximately half the cost of hydronic systems.

Portable and space-saving. Easily moved between rooms, offering flexible heating for any space. Can also be wall-mounted with optional brackets for added versatility.

Luxurious radiant heat. Warms objects and people directly, ensuring cozy comfort without excessive energy use.

Energy-Saving Features: Intelligent features like open-window detection, a 7-day programmable timer, and multiple operating modes help reduce wasted energy.

Modern, sleek design. Crafted from high-quality cold-rolled steel, the slim, minimalist design complements any room’s decor while providing effective heating.

Easy installation. Setup is quick and straightforward—just plug into a power outlet. For a cleaner look, wall-mounting and hardwiring options are available.

Silent operation. With no fans or moving parts, these radiators operate quietly, maintaining a peaceful environment in any room.

Maintenance-free. Requires no ongoing maintenance, unlike traditional gas or hydronic systems.

Healthier indoor air. Enclosed heating elements prevent the burning of dust or allergens, making it ideal for allergy sufferers and those seeking better air quality.

Energy-saving features. Open-window detection, programmable timers, and intelligent controls ensure optimal heating while reducing unnecessary energy use.

Reliable and durable. Premium construction backed by a 10-year panel warranty and a 2-year warranty on electronic components ensures long-lasting performance.

Explore our range and find your next panel heater

Discover our electric radiator range, designed to offer a unique blend of style, luxury, and functionality. If you're looking for a small portable panel radiator, our portable radiators are a high-quality, beautifully designed alternative, featuring comfortable, quiet, and cost-saving operation to keep you warm.

Understanding panel heaters and radiators

Electric radiator panels give the comfort of hydronic heating without the expense of a full hydronic system installation. Most convenient of all is that they can just plug into the wall like portable electric radiators.

When you think of electric panel heaters, convection-only panel heaters might spring to mind. They warm the air and produce minimal radiant heat. This includes electric panel heaters from brands like Rinnai, Omega Altise, Stiebel-Eltron, DeLonghi, and Nobo panel heaters.

Whereas our oil-filled electric heaters from Purmo are true radiators with all the convenience of a panel. They produce and maintain a balance of radiant and convection heat, ideal for keeping your home and family warm and comfortable this winter.

How Kaba compares to portable convection panel heaters and oil-column heaters

There are a few differences between the wall-mounted models and portable appliances on the market.

Kaba portable electric radiators

• Radiant and convection heat balance: The Kaba combines radiant heat with gentle convection, offering a more comfortable and even warmth throughout the room. This is unlike convection-only heaters, which heat the air and can lead to cold spots.
• Enclosed heating element: Features a fully enclosed element, meaning it doesn’t burn dust or allergens, making it a healthier choice for indoor air quality.
• High build quality and durability: Constructed from premium cold-rolled steel, providing more thermal mass for better heat retention. This makes it heavier and more durable than cheaper alternatives, though it may cost more upfront.
• Precise temperature control: With an advanced PID thermostat, the Kaba precisely regulates the room temperature, reducing energy waste and ensuring consistent comfort. This precision often makes it cheaper to operate in the long run compared to heaters with less accurate thermostats.
• Energy-efficient features: Built-in energy-saving modes, including open-window detection and programmable timers, help to lower running costs, especially in colder months when heating is needed most.

Portable convection panel heaters or oil-column heaters

• Convection-only heating: Many cheaper portable heaters rely heavily on convection heat, which warms the air but can create uneven temperatures in the room. Hot air rises to the ceiling, leaving cold spots near the floor, and warm air can escape quickly through drafts.
• Less thermal mass: Convection heaters and oil-column heaters tend to be lighter and less durable, with less thermal mass than the Kaba. This means they heat up quickly but cool down just as fast, requiring more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature.
• Dust burning: Cheaper heaters often have exposed elements, which can burn dust and create that unpleasant smell when first turned on. This can also aggravate allergies.
• Limited lifespan and warranties: Lower-cost heaters are often designed as temporary solutions, with shorter warranties and reduced long-term reliability compared to premium models like the Kaba.
• Basic thermostats: Many budget heaters have simple or inaccurate thermostats, which can cause temperature swings and lead to higher energy usage as the heater cycles on and off more frequently.
• Lower upfront costs: While cheaper to purchase initially, convection panel heaters and oil-column heaters may cost more to run due to lower precision thermostats, the heat type produced, and lack of energy-saving features.

How do Purmo radiators compare to other kinds of panel heaters?

Most panel heaters available on the market are convection-only panel heaters. This means they warm up a room by heating the air. Typically they have an element that's exposed to the air, which can create that burning dust smell.

Even low-cost oil column heaters produce mostly convection heat because of the shape of the fins.

Convection circulates through rooms using air currents. Hot air rises to the ceiling, cools, and eventually circulates back to the heater. It's easily lost to draughts and open doors, and in winter, people find it less comfortable.

Purmo panels are true radiators. They produce much more radiant heat. Think of the feeling of the sun on your face—this is an example of radiant warmth.

Radiant heat is unaffected by air currents because it's infrared energy. It behaves in exactly the same way as light, beaming out the front of the radiator and warming objects and people directly.

While convection is better at getting warm air around corners, radiant heat feels much more comfortable and doesn't escape the room as quickly. You generally need less radiant heat to make a room feel comfortable. This can translate to savings if you set your heater to run a degree or two lower.

Purmo panels produce a mix of radiant and convection heat, so you get the best of both worlds. They're warm but also fully enclosed, so there's no potential for burning dust, and they operate completely silently, making them perfect for the bedroom.

How much do panel heaters generally cost to run?

Electric resistance heaters, like our Kaba Portable Radiators, are 100 per cent efficient at converting electricity to heat, meaning that a 1000W heater running at full power for one hour will use 1kWh (kilowatt hour) of electricity.

These heaters work by passing an electric current through a resistive element, like a coil or wire, which generates heat. In an oil heater, this coil sits in thermally conductive oil. It’s a simple heating type that keeps things warm and snug.

Although all resistive heating has the same electrical efficiency, this is only one factor in determining final running costs. The precision of the thermostat, energy-saving features like schedules and timers, and the type of heat produced (radiant or convection) can have a big impact on overall running costs.

How does the thermostat help cut running costs?

The quality of the thermostat can be a big deal for electricity consumption in an electric heater.

A quality thermostat can fine-tune the duty cycle, which is how often your electric heater kicks into action. It affects how much your system spends actively warming things up or pausing to maintain the perfect temperature.

If the thermostat is inaccurate, it can cause the heater to run longer than it should or to shut off too early. This wastes energy and causes higher bills.

Thermostats vary widely in accuracy and precision, affecting how much electricity a heater uses. Heaters with advanced PID digital thermostats, like the Kaba, can precisely hold the room at set temperatures. This means the heater will only use the energy needed to hold the room at that temperature.

Why cheap thermostats cost you more

Cheaper bimetal thermostats can allow the temperature to swing by 4 to 5 degrees, which causes people to set the temperature higher to avoid feeling uncomfortable, ultimately driving up running costs. Some resistive heaters don’t have a thermostat at all, which is even worse for electricity bills. That’s why precision is everything when it comes to thermostats.

When you’re looking at high-end panel heaters, ask about additional features such as adjustable PID thermostats and programmable settings. They’ll help you save money while staying comfortably warm.