Welcome to the Smart Direct Electric Heating Forum

Supporting the UK Government's drive towards net zero emissions

Our Members

Smart Direct Electric Heating Forum

The Smart Direct Electric Heating Form (SDEHF) is the UK trade forum representing organisations that design, manufacture, distribute, specify and install direct electric heating products and associated services.

Our goal is to raise awareness of the major advantages of direct electric heating, with a particular focus on the significant benefits it can deliver in the social housing sector.

In the context of the SDEHF, direct electric heating is defined as heating provided directly from electricity. Examples of direct electric heating technologies include electric boilers, electric radiators, storage heating, infrared heating, underfloor heating, thermal stores, heat batteries and their associated control systems.

The principal activity of the SDEHF is to provide a single voice for members, and to use that voice to influence government, regulators, local authorities, housing associations and other stakeholders to help shape energy policy and the allocation of funding.

Who We Are & What We Do

Direct electric heating is often excluded from government-funded energy efficiency and home improvement schemes. Furthermore, SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure), the methodology used by the UK government to assess the energy performance of homes, currently disadvantages direct electric heating in new builds.

Our goal is to raise awareness of the major advantages of direct electric heating, with a particular focus on the significant benefits it can deliver in the social housing sector.

Direct Electric Heating: A Complementary Solution for Efficient Homes

While heat pumps offer a compelling solution for many heating needs, direct electric heating provides distinct advantages in specific housing scenarios. One key benefit lies in upfront cost. Direct electric heating systems, such as electric radiators, electric boilers and infrared heaters, generally have a significantly lower initial purchase and installation cost compared to heat pumps. This makes them a more accessible option for homeowners on a budget, particularly for flats, smaller homes, individual rooms or supplemental heating needs. This difference in initial investment can be especially relevant for landlords or those managing multiple properties.
 
Furthermore, direct electric heating shines in its simplicity and reliability. With fewer moving parts and a straightforward design, direct electric heating systems require less maintenance and are less prone to breakdowns. This translates to lower long-term operating costs related to repairs and servicing. Additionally, the responsiveness of direct electric heating is unparalleled. Radiators and panel heaters can deliver instant warmth, providing a comfortable environment almost immediately, which is a benefit especially welcomed in spaces used intermittently.
 
Finally, direct electric heating excels in well-insulated homes or zones where targeted heating is desired. In these situations, the efficiency gap between direct electric and heat pumps narrows considerably. Modern direct electric heating systems, featuring smart thermostats, weather compensation, individual room controls, and presence detection, can be highly energy-efficient, focusing heat only where and when it is needed. By utilising these features, homeowners can optimise their energy usage and minimise wasted energy in unoccupied spaces, making direct electric heating an innovative and sustainable choice for specific housing applications.
 
Key Benefits of Direct Electric Heating
  • 100% Efficiency at Point of Use – All the electricity consumed is converted directly into heat, unlike gas or oil systems, which lose energy through flue gases or pipework.
  • Electric Boilers for Wet Systems – A straightforward replacement for gas or oil boilers, using existing radiators or underfloor heating without the need for fuel storage or flue installations.
  • Infrared Heating – Delivers targeted, radiant warmth to people and surfaces, creating a comfortable environment while reducing wasted energy in unoccupied spaces.
  • Thermal Storage – Consume power during cheaper periods or from renewable generation to store as heat energy for later use.
  • Low Maintenance – No annual servicing, no moving parts, and no risk of carbon monoxide leaks or fuel spills.
  • Flexible Zonal Heating – Individual room or area control for optimised comfort and reduced energy usage.
  • Safe & Clean – No combustion, no on-site emissions, and no need for fuel deliveries.
  • Future-Proof & Sustainable – As the UK’s grid becomes greener, direct electric heating continues to reduce carbon impact, unlike fossil fuel systems.
  • Cost-Effective Installation – No need for complex pipework or external units, unlike air source heat pumps which require higher upfront costs and system upgrades.
  • Instant Heat & High Temperatures – Electric boilers and infrared panels deliver quick-response heating, unlike heat pumps that operate at lower temperatures.
We believe direct electric heating is of equal social and technical value to, for example, air source heat pumps and heat networks, and that this should be reflected in legislation and funding. When they are representing or speaking on behalf of the SDEHF, members abide by a strict set of guidelines. These guidelines reinforce the non-partisan and collaborative approach of the forum.
Our Members