How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters have a number of advantages they offer, including lower initial costs, low maintenance required by the homeowner and efficient heating. They are also more convenient than heating systems that require venting.
You can save money on heating costs when you have an electricity provider that offers Economy 7.
Temperature Settings
Ideally your electric heater will allow you to set the temperature you prefer, and maintain that temperature without the need to switch it on and off. This will help save energy and stop you from entering or leaving the room that is too cold. Find a thermostat that has the ability to set a timer, should it be available.
When choosing an electric heater, make sure it's rated for the space you have. A heater that is too small for your space will need to run longer than is necessary to reach the desired temperature, which wastes energy and can cause the room to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the optimal heater's power in watts per square foot for your room.
Also, be sure the temperature control knobs are easy to access and adjust. You may need to take off screws or peel back insulation in order to reach the knobs if they are set in a recess. This could be a hassle. It's also important to check the recommended temperature range for safety and efficiency reasons. Temperatures below 120 degrees can cause bacteria to grow and increase the risk for burning. Temperatures above 140 degrees could pose an hazard to fire.
The Everhot is a sleek compact heater that is designed to be used in conservatories or, as the company puts it: "annexes, holiday cottages, narrow boats, shepherds' huts and glamping pods." It can reach temperatures of up to 200C and is a good choice for heating and cooking. It has a timer as well as an ECO mode that optimizes the power and heat settings to be more energy-efficient.
It is also very quiet. There isn't any fan noise or the sound of whirring when you change the settings. This makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms and living rooms. It also comes with a few other convenient features, including a built-in nightlight which glows blue when the heater is on and a built-in humidifier which can be turned on to an intermittent mist mode to create a subtle effect. It's also durable and safe, with a tip-over shutoff switch and overheating protection that shuts down the unit in the event of overheating. It's also certified by UL for safety.
Safety
Electric heaters should be used with care. Children, the elderly and people suffering from chronic diseases or immune system disorders are at a higher risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide as well as fire hazards created by heaters. Additionally, children and pets may knock over a heater, leading to injury or even death.
ESFI suggests that you inspect the plug and cord of your heater on a regular basis. Check for indications of damage, such as damaged or loose plug or a damaged cord. If the outlet or cord is hot, take it off and consult a certified electrician to repair it. Don't plug in multiple electrical devices at the same time, such as space heaters. This can overload the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It's also a good idea to use only heaters that have been listed or labelled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These products are more likely to meet voluntary safety standards. Avoid placing a heater near material that is flammable, such as rugs or fabrics. Keep a minimum of three feet between the heater and combustible material. Additionally, do not put heaters in the bathroom or kitchen and never be near it if you're soaking wet.
Also, always plug in an electric heater directly to an outlet on the wall. Do not use the power strip. If you need to connect an extension cord, make sure you choose the most compact one constructed with 14 gauge wire. Also, check for any loose outlets that could be a sign of an overloaded circuit.
If you're using an electric space heater in an open area, be sure to keep it at least six inches away from anything that could burn. Place the heater on a flat, non-flammable surface rather than on furniture, cabinets or tables, which may overheat. The last thing to do is disconnect and shut off the heater prior to leaving the room.
Electric heaters are a great way to reduce energy consumption and prevent injuries. Electric heaters are commonly employed by facility managers to provide additional heat to offices and other common areas when temperatures fall. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and service indoor or outdoor electric heaters that will make your workplace as comfortable as is possible during the cold winter months. Contact us today to learn more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When you are choosing an electric heater that is portable take into consideration its energy efficiency. This is the amount of energy required to produce the desired output. Heating electric wood stove that consume less energy are more efficient and can reduce the cost of heating your home or business.
The heating element is employed in a majority of electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. It is usually composed of a ribbon, coil, flexible heater element, or tubular element which emits heat when an electric charge passes through it. The amount of heat generated is dependent on the type and method of heating element (convection, radiation).
If you are concerned about the impact on the environment, choose a model which uses green energy sources. This could be an energy source that is renewable or an alternative to fossil fuels like solar or wind.
The energy efficiency of an electric heater is also dependent on where the electricity comes from and the method of generation. Electricity generated from solar or wind power plants will be more efficient than electricity generated from fossil fuels found in the power plant.
You shouldn't just pick a heater that is an environmentally friendly energy source, but also one that has a number of energy-saving features. These may include automatic shutoff mechanisms that activate in the event of overheating or if a heater is accidentally dropped.
These security measures will safeguard your family members or employees, and also help reduce your energy costs by preventing excessive usage. A lot of portable electric heaters are engineered to operate quietly as well which makes them perfect for bedrooms, offices and other areas which require a calm atmosphere.
Electric heaters can also save you money by reducing maintenance calls. Gas units can be more costly to fix than electric heaters and the expense of maintenance can increase over time. Electric models are generally less expensive to maintain and often have more advanced features to assist you in saving energy.
Installation
Electric heaters work on the basis of Joule energy, converting electrical energy into radiant heat that warms the room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and economical than other heating methods, especially gas. However, these units aren't suitable for every home and could put stress on an existing electricity system. It is essential to have an electrician examine the system prior to installing an electric wall heater.
There are several aspects to take into account when choosing an electric heater, including the type of heater you want and the room where you want to place it. The kind of heater you choose will determine the amount it costs to operate. A baseboard heater that is electric can cost more than a space heater or a portable model, but it offers more consistent warmth and doesn't require chimneys or vents.
An electric fan heater is an air blower that produces hot air that circulates through the room. This kind of electric heater is the least expensive, but can be noisy and takes longer to warm up the room.
Search for a heater that has a thermostat built in. This feature allows you to set a temperature target and will automatically shut off when the temperature you want attained. This will significantly cut down on consumption of energy and keep you from turning the heater on and off.
Before attempting to install an electric heater, make sure that the power is off on the breaker panel and verify that the circuit is shut off with a tester. Mark the location on the wall where you want to install the heater and then cut a hole in the wall. Use a drywall saw to cut off the required section, taking care not to cut any existing electrical pipes or wires.
Run a cable 14/2 of the same length and gauge as the existing wires, from the breaker box up to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw in the outlet box, removing about 1 inch of insulation. Label this wire as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape. Then, connect it to the wire leads with the label "load" in the thermostat box.