How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters have a number of advantages they offer, including lower initial costs, low maintenance for homeowners, and efficient heating. They are also more convenient than heating systems that require venting.
They are particularly useful when your electricity provider offers Economy 7, as the cheaper off-peak tariff will reduce the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
Ideally, your electric heater will enable you to set the exact temperature you like, then maintain that temperature without having to turn it off and on. This will save energy and keep you from leaving or entering a room too cold. Find a thermostat with an alarm clock, if it's possible.
When choosing an electric heater, be certain that it's designed for your space. If the heater is too small will need to run longer to achieve the desired temperature. This can waste energy and can cause your room to overheat. Use our calculator to find the perfect size heater for your room in terms of watts per sq. foot.
Also, ensure that the temperature adjustment knobs are easy to access and adjust. If the knobs are recessed you may have to take out screws and remove insulation to reach them, which could be difficult. Make sure you are using the recommended temperature range as well for safety and effectiveness. Temperatures below 120 degrees can trigger bacteria growth and increase the risk of scalding while temperatures over 140 degrees could pose a fire hazard.
The Everhot is a sleek, compact heater specifically designed for conservatories, or according to the company's description: "annexes, holiday cottages, narrow boats and shepherds' huts, as well as camping pods." It reaches up to 200C, which makes it an ideal option for cooking as well as heating. It has a timer and an ECO setting that optimizes the temperature and power settings to make it more efficient.
It is also very quiet. There's no noise from fans or the sound of whirring when you change the settings. This makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms or living rooms. It comes with other features as well like a built-in nightlight that glows a blue color when the heater is turned on and an integrated humidifier that can be set to emit intermittent mists for a subtler effect. It's also safe and sturdy with a tip-over shutoff switch and overheating protection that shuts down the unit should it overheat. It's also UL-listed, to ensure safety.
Safety
Electric heaters are to be used with caution. Children, the elderly and those suffering from chronic illnesses or immune system disorders are at greater risk of getting poisoned from carbon monoxide and fire hazards caused by heaters. In addition, children and pets can knock over a heater, which can lead to injury or even death.
ESFI recommends checking the heater's cord, plug and outlet on a regular basis. Find indications of damage, such as cracks or loose plugs or frayed cord. If the outlet or cord is hot, consult an experienced electrician to repair it. Do not connect more than one electrical device at the same time as a space heater. This can overload the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It's also a good idea to only use heaters that are identified or labelled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These heaters are more likely to meet voluntary safety standards. Avoid placing a heater near flammable materials, such as carpets or textiles. Make sure there is a minimum three-foot safety clearance between the heater and any substances that are combustible. Additionally, do not put heaters in the bathroom or kitchen and never touch it if you're wet.
Additionally, be sure to connect an electric heater directly into a wall outlet not into a power strip or extension cord. If you must use an extension cord, choose the shortest heavy-duty cord possible made of 14-gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are not sagging, since this could indicate an overloaded circuit.
Keep the electric space heater at least six inches from anything that could cause. It's recommended to place a space heater on a flat surface instead of placing it on cabinets, tables or furniture, as they could overheat and cause fire. Also, make sure to turn off and unplug the heater when you leave the room or go to bed as it increases the risk of fire.
Electric heaters are a great way to reduce energy consumption and reduce the risk of injuries. Electric heaters are commonly employed by facility managers to provide extra heating in offices and other common areas as temperatures drop. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and maintains outdoor or indoor electric heating systems to make your facility as cozy during these cold winter months as you can. Contact us today to find out more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Consider the energy efficiency of the portable heater before making your decision. This is the amount of energy required to produce the desired output. Heating systems that consume less electricity are thought to be more efficient and can help to reduce the total cost of heating your home or business.
Most electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat using an element for heating. It is typically made up of a coil or ribbon, a flexible heater, or tubular element that releases heat when a current is passed through it. The amount of heat produced is dependent on the heating element used and the method through the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you are concerned about the impact on the environment, you should select one that utilizes green energy sources. This could be a sustainable energy source or a substitute to fossil-fuels such as solar or wind.
The energy efficiency of electric heaters is also influenced by where and how electricity is generated. Electricity derived from a wind or solar power plant will be more efficient than electricity derived from burning fossil fuels at a power plant.
You should not only choose a heater with an eco-friendly energy source, but also one that has many energy-saving features. These could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that will be activated in the event of an overheated unit or if a heater is accidentally tipping.
These safety measures can help to protect your employees or family members, and can aid in reducing your energy bills by helping you to avoid excessive use. A lot of portable electric heaters are designed to operate quietly too making them suitable for offices, bedrooms, and other areas which require a calm atmosphere.
Another way that an electric heater can help you save money is by decreasing the number of maintenance calls you'll have to make. Gas heaters are more costly to repair than electric ones and maintenance costs can be costly over the course of time. Electric models are typically less expensive to maintain and usually have more advanced features to help you save energy.
Installation
Electric heaters operate on the principle of Joule energy, converting electrical energy into radiant heat that warms the room. They're also extremely efficient and economical in comparison to other forms of heating, especially gas. However, these units aren't suitable for every household and could put stress on an existing electricity system. Therefore, it is recommended that a professional electrician check whether the current system can handle the extra load of an electric wall heater before installing one.
When selecting an electric heater, you must consider a variety of factors, including the size and type of the heater, as well as the room in the space it will be placed. The kind of heater you pick will determine how much it will cost to operate. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to operate than portable heaters or space heaters, but they offer a more even heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
Electric fan heaters have an air blower that circulates hot air throughout the room. This type of electric heater is the cheapest however it can be noisy and take longer to warm a room.
Look for a space heater with an integrated thermostat. This feature lets you to set a temperature target and the heater will turn off automatically when it reaches the temperature. This can significantly reduce your consumption of energy and keep you from constantly turning the heater on and off.
Before attempting to install an electric heater, make sure that the power is turned off at the breaker panel. You can also confirm that the circuit is shut off using a test device. Mark the spot on the wall where you plan to install the heater and then cut a hole into the wall. Utilize a drywall cutter to cut off the required section, being careful not to cut any existing electrical pipes or wires.
Use a cable 14/2 of the same gauge and length as the wires that are already in use from the breaker box up to the wall opening. Remove about 1 inch of insulation off the conductors' ends on each wire and connect them to an available screw in the outlet box. Identify electric stove fireplaces as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape. Connect it to the wire leads that are marked "load" in the thermostat box.