How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters have a number of advantages, including low initial costs, little maintenance for homeowners, and efficient heating. They are also more convenient to utilize than heating systems that require venting.
They are especially useful If your electricity provider provides Economy 7, as the cheaper off-peak rate will reduce the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
Ideal is that your electric heater lets you to adjust and maintain the temperature you desire without having to turn it on or off. This will reduce energy consumption and save you from entering the wrong room or leaving one that's too hot. You should look for a thermostat and if possible one with timer functions.
When you are choosing an electric heater, be sure that it's rated for the space you have. A heater that's too small will have to run longer to reach the desired temperature. This is a waste of energy and can cause your room to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the ideal heater's power in watts per square foot for your space.
Also, be sure the temperature adjustment knobs are easy to access and adjust. You may need remove screws or peel back insulation in order to reach the knobs, if they are recessed. This could be a problem. Check the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures lower than 120 degrees could cause the growth of bacteria and increase the chance of burning. When temperatures exceed 140 degrees can pose a fire danger.
The Everhot 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 200C, making it an ideal option for cooking as well as heating. It has a timer and an ECO setting that optimizes heating and power settings to make it more efficient.
It's also quiet and silent, with no fan sound and no whirring sound when you alter settings. This makes it a great option for bedrooms and living rooms. It also has a few additional features that are useful, like a built-in nightlight that glows blue when the heater is turned on and a built-in humidifier that can be set to intermittent mist mode for a more subtle effect. It's also sturdy and safe and comes with a tip-over shutdown switch and overheating protection that automatically shuts off the unit should it overheat. It's also UL-listed, to ensure security.
Safety
Electric heaters are to be used with caution. Children, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic illnesses or immune system issues are at a greater risk of getting poisoned from carbon monoxide and fire hazards caused by heaters. Additionally, children and pets may knock over a heater, leading to injury or even death.
ESFI suggests that you inspect the heater's plug and cord regularly. Look for signs of damage, for example cracks or loose plugs or a damaged cord. If the outlet or cord feels hot, contact a qualified electrical contractor to replace it. Don't plug in multiple electrical devices at the same time as a space heater. This can overload the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It is recommended to only use heaters that are listed or labelled by a national recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These heaters are more likely to be in compliance with voluntary safety standards. Never place a heater near flame-prone materials, like rugs or fabrics. Keep a minimum of three feet between the heater and any combustible material. Also, do not place heaters in bathrooms or kitchen and do not touch it if you're wet.
Also, always plug in the heater directly to an outlet in the wall. Do not use a power strip. If you must use an extension cord, make sure you choose the shortest heavy-duty cord possible constructed of 14 gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are sagging since this could indicate an overloaded circuit.
Keep the electric space heater at least six inches from anything that could ignite. It's also a good idea to place the space heater on flat surfaces instead of putting it on cabinets, tables or furniture, which can cause fire if it overheats. Also, make sure to turn off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or retire to bed as it increases the risk of fire.
Taking the proper safety measures when using electric heaters can to avoid injuries and cut down on the energy use. Electric heaters are frequently employed by facility managers to add heat to offices and other common areas when temperatures decrease. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and maintains outdoor or indoor electric heating systems to make your space as comfortable during the cold winter months as possible. Contact us for more information about heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Consider the energy efficiency of a portable heater prior to making your choice. This is the amount of energy needed to produce the desired output. Heaters that use less energy are more efficient and can lower the cost of heating your home or business.
Most electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat using an element for heating. It is usually composed of a coil or ribbon, a flexible heater, or tubular element which emits heat when a current flows through it. The amount of heat produced is dependent on the type and method of heating element (convection, radiation).
If you are concerned about environmental impact, consider a model that uses an environmentally friendly type of energy. It could be an energy source that is renewable or a substitute for fossil fuels, like solar or wind.
The efficiency of energy used by an electric heater is also dependent on the source of electricity from and the method of generation. Electricity derived from solar or wind power sources will be more efficient than electricity derived from fossil fuels found in power stations.
In addition to choosing the heater that makes use of an eco-friendly form of energy, it is important to also select one that has an array of energy saving features. These might include automatic shut-off mechanisms in the event of excessive heat or if the unit is accidentally tipping over.
These safety measures can be helpful to safeguard your family or employees and they could also help reduce your energy costs by helping you avoid excessive use. A lot of portable electric heaters are designed to operate quietly too, making them ideal for bedrooms, offices and other spaces that require a peaceful environment.
Another way in which an electric heater can save you money is by decreasing the number of maintenance calls that you'll need to make. Gas heaters are more expensive to fix than electric models and maintenance costs could be costly over the course of time. Electric models are generally less expensive to maintain and usually come with more advanced features to help you save money.
Installation
Electric heaters work on the principle of Joule energy, converting electrical energy into radiant heat that warms the room. They're also extremely efficient and cost-effective in comparison to other forms of heating, especially gas. These heaters are not suitable for all households and can strain an existing electricity system. Therefore, it's recommended to have an electrician professional check if the current system can handle the extra load of an electric wall heater prior to installing one.
When choosing an electric heater you need to consider several aspects, such as the type and size of the heater as well as the space in which 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 an electric space heater or a portable heater, but it offers more even warmth and won't require chimneys or vents.
An electric fan heater is an electric fan that creates hot air and circulates it in the room. This kind of heater is typically the most affordable to run, however it can be loud and takes longer to warm rooms than other kinds of electric heaters.
Choose the space heater with built-in thermostat. This feature lets you set a target temperature and will automatically shut off when the temperature you want reached. This will significantly cut down on energy usage and save you from constantly turning the heater on and off.
Be sure to turn off the power source at the breaker box, and make use of a circuit tester to ensure that it's off before attempting to install an electric heater. Full Record on the wall where you want to place the heater, and then cut a hole into the drywall. Utilize best electric stove fire to cut off the needed section. Be careful not to damage any electrical pipes or wires.
Run a 14/2 cable of the same gauge as the existing wires from the panel for the breaker to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw in the outlet box, removing about 1 inch of insulation. Label or mark the wire with red tape to identify it as the "line". Connect it to the wire leads in the thermostat box, marked "load".