Why choose a panel heater?

What is a panel heater?

Panel heaters are slim, electric heaters that provide gentle, consistent warmth by heating the air in a room. They are often wall-mounted or freestanding and are designed to blend into the background while quietly maintaining a comfortable temperature. With their discreet appearance and silent operation, panel heaters are a popular choice for bedrooms, hallways, offices and living areas where background heat is needed without taking up too much space.

Best for

Panel heaters are best suited to:

• Bedrooms, hallways, and home offices
• Medium-sized rooms that benefit from consistent background warmth
• Homes where space-saving and low-profile design is important
• People who prefer quiet, low-maintenance heating

They are ideal for households wanting a permanent or semi-permanent heating solution that doesn’t interfere with furniture or floor space.

How it works

Panel heaters use an internal heating element to warm the air inside the unit. As the air heats up, it rises and escapes through vents at the top, while cooler air is drawn in from below. This creates a continuous convection cycle that gently warms the room.
The heating process is silent and even, making panel heaters a good option for quiet spaces. Some models include timers, thermostats or Wi-Fi control to help manage temperature and energy use more efficiently.

Key features and benefits

• Wall-mountable or freestanding options
• Thermostats and programmable timers
• Child locks and overheat protection
• Slim, unobtrusive profile which suits modern interiors
• Some models support Wi-Fi control or app connectivity

Panel vs other heaters

What to consider

Panel heaters are designed for background heat rather than fast, high-output warmth. They take longer to warm up compared to fan or ceramic heaters, but once running, they provide consistent and reliable comfort.
Because they are slim and often wall-mounted, panel heaters are less portable than other types. If you want flexible heating across different rooms, a freestanding option may be better. They are best used in well-insulated spaces that can retain heat, as they do not deliver strong bursts of warmth like a fan heater.

Matching wattage to room size

To choose the right heater size for your space:

• Bedrooms, offices or smaller lounges up to 18 square metres usually suit heaters between 1.5 and 2 kilowatts
• Larger models up to 2.4 kilowatts may be suitable for more open areas, provided they are well insulated

This helps ensure efficient heating without overloading your power usage. You can also look for room guides on packaging or product listings to match wattage with room type.

Take a look below at the recommended rooms for this heater:

Power use & running costs

Panel heaters are efficient for long-term, background heating, especially when fitted with thermostats or timers. They typically draw between 1.5 and 2.4 kilowatts, depending on the size and model.
Heater running costs depend on wattage, electricity rates in your area and how long the heater runs each day. As energy prices can fluctuate across New Zealand, use cost calculators or your electricity provider’s tools to estimate usage. For the most accurate info, base estimates on your local kWh rate and usage patterns.

Choosing the right panel heater

To pick the best model for your space:

1. Choose wattage based on room size – up to 2000W for bedrooms/lounges
2. Decide between wall-mounted for permanent use or freestanding for flexibility
3. Look for digital thermostats and timers to save on energy
4. Select a model with smart features if using in a connected home
5. Prioritise models with child lock or cool-touch casing for family safety

Explore the range

Panel heaters offer slim, silent heating that fits neatly into modern homes. Choose from clean, low-profile designs by Dimplex, Goldair and Nouveau ideal for hallways, bedrooms and offices.

Want help choosing?

Compare electric heater types below or jump straight to the one that suits you:

FAQ's