How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters offer a variety of advantages that include lower initial costs, low maintenance required by the homeowner, and efficient heating. They're also more convenient than heating systems that require venting.
You can save money on heating costs if you are a customer of an electricity company that provides Economy 7.
Temperature Settings
Ideal is that your electric heater allows you to adjust and maintain the temperature you prefer without needing to turn it on or off. This will conserve energy and stop you from entering or leaving an area that is too cold. Find a thermostat with the ability to set a timer, should it be available.
When choosing an electric heater, make certain that it's designed for the space you have. If the heater isn't big enough for your space will have 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 best heater's watts per square foot for your space.
Also, make sure that the knobs for temperature adjustment are easy to adjust and reach. You may have to take off screws or peel back insulation to access the knobs if they are recessive. This could be a problem. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures lower than 120 degrees could cause the growth of bacteria and increase the risk for the possibility of scalding. Temperatures above 140 degrees could pose an hazard to fire.
listen to this podcast is a sleek compact heater specifically designed for conservatories or, as the company describes it: "annexes, holiday cottages narrow boats and shepherds' huts as well as Glamping pods." It can reach temperatures of up to 200C, which makes it a decent option for cooking as well as heating. It has a timer as well as an ECO mode that optimizes heat and power settings to make it more energy efficient.
It's also quiet, with no fan noise and no whirring when you change settings. This makes it a good option for bedrooms or living rooms. It comes with other features as well, such as a built-in nightlight that turns blue in color when the heater is on, as well as an integrated humidifier that can be adjusted to create intermittent mist to create a more subtle effect. It's also sturdy and safe with a tip-over shutoff switch and an overheating protection which will shut off the unit automatically if it overheats. It is also UL-listed to ensure security.
Safety
Electric heaters are to be used with caution. Children, the elderly and people suffering from chronic illnesses or immune system issues are at greater chance of being poisoned by carbon monoxide as well as fire hazards created by heaters. Children and pets can also knock the heater over and cause 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 a cracked or loose plug or a frayed cord. If the cord or outlet feels hot, take it off and consult a certified electrician to repair it. Do not plug in multiple electrical devices at the same time, such as a space heater. This could cause overload to the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It is also a good idea to only use heaters that have been listed or labelled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, like UL. These products are more likely to meet the safety standards of voluntary manufacturers. Do not place a heater in proximity to material that is flammable, such as rugs or fabrics. Maintain a minimum of three feet between the heater and any combustible material. Also, do not place heaters in the bathroom or kitchen, and don't touch it if you're wet.
Always connect the heater directly to a wall outlet. Never use the power strip. If you have to connect an extension cord, make sure you choose the most compact one made with 14-gauge wire. Also, look for loose outlets which could be an indication of a circuit that is overloaded.
Keep an electric space heater at least six inches from anything that could cause. Place the heater on an unburnable, flat surface, not on cabinets, furniture or tables that could overheat. Also, make sure to switch off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or go to bed and leave it on to increase the risk of fire.
Making sure you are taking the appropriate safety precautions when using electric heaters can to avoid injuries and cut down on the energy use. As temperatures drop, facilities managers often turn to electric heaters to add warmth in office areas and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and maintain outdoor or indoor electric heaters to help ensure that your workplace is as comfortable as it can be in the cold winter months. Contact us to learn more about heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Take into consideration the energy efficiency of a portable heater when making your choice. This refers to the amount of energy needed to achieve the desired output. Heating systems that consume less energy are more efficient and reduce the cost of heating your business or home.
Most electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat by using the heating element. It is usually composed of a ribbon, coil or flexible heater element or tubular element that releases heat when an electric charge passes through it. The amount of heat produced depends on the type of heating element employed and the method used by the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you're concerned about the effect on the environment, you should select one that utilizes green energy sources. This might be an energy source that is renewable or an alternative to fossil fuels like wind or solar.
The energy efficiency of electric heaters is also affected by where and how electricity is generated. Electricity that is sourced from a wind or solar power plant is more efficient than electricity that is produced by burning fossil fuels at a power station.
In addition to choosing a heater that uses an eco-friendly form of energy, you must choose one with an array of energy-saving features. These might include automatic shut-off systems in the event of excessive heat or if the unit is accidentally tipped over.
These safety measures can be helpful to protect your employees or family members, and they could also contribute to lower energy bills by helping you avoid excessive use. A lot of portable electric heaters are engineered to operate quietly too, making them ideal for bedrooms, offices and other spaces that require a quiet environment.
Another way in which electric heaters can save you money is by reducing the number of maintenance calls you'll have to make. Gas units are more expensive to fix than electric models and maintenance costs can be costly over the course of time. Electric models are usually cheaper to maintain and usually have more advanced features to help you save money.
Installation
Electric heaters operate on the principle of Joule energy, converting electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and cost-effective than other heating methods, especially gas. These heaters are not suitable for all households and can overburden an existing electric system. It is crucial to have an electrician examine the system before installing an electric wall heater.
When selecting an electric heater, you must consider a variety of aspects, such as the type and size of the heater, as well as the room in the space it will be placed. The kind of heater you choose will determine the cost to operate it. An electric baseboard heater can cost more to run than a space heater or a portable unit however it provides more even warmth and won't require any vents or chimneys.
Electric fan heaters have an air blower that circulates hot air in the room. This kind of heater is usually most economical to run, however it can be noisy and takes longer to warm a room than other types of electric heaters.
Find an electric space heater that has an integrated thermostat. This feature allows you set a target and the heater will shut off automatically when it attains the desired temperature. This feature will reduce your energy usage and also save you from having to turn the heater on and off.
Before attempting to install an electric heater, be sure that the power is turned off at the breaker panel and ensure that the circuit is shut off using a test device. Next, mark the area where you intend to mount the electric heater on the wall and cut a hole in the drywall. Use a drywall saw to cut off the required section, being careful not to cut any existing electrical wires or pipes.
Use a 14/2 cable with the same gauge as the existing wires from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Strip about 1 inch of insulation from the ends of each conductor wire and connect them to an accessible screw in the outlet box. Identify this wire as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece of red tape, and connect it to the wire leads with the label "load" in the thermostat box.