How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters have a number of advantages, including lower initial costs, low maintenance by the homeowner, and efficient heating. They are also easier to utilize than heating systems that require venting.
They are especially useful if your electricity provider offers Economy 7 as the lower off-peak tariff will save you money on the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
Ideally, your electric heater will enable you to set the temperature you want, and then keep that temperature constant without the need to switch it off and on. This will conserve energy and prevent you from entering or leaving a room too cold. Find a thermostat that has the ability to set a timer, should it be available.
When selecting an electric heater, make certain that it's designed for the space you have. A heater that is too small for your space will have to run longer than is necessary to reach a desired temperature, which wastes energy and can cause the room to overheat. Utilize our calculator to determine the best heater size in watts per square foot for your area.
Also, make sure the knobs for temperature control are easy to adjust and reach. It is possible remove screws or peel back insulation to reach the knobs if they are recessive. This can be a challenge. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range for safety and efficiency reasons. Temperatures lower than 120 degrees can lead to bacteria growth and increase the risk of scalding, while temperatures that exceed 140 degrees could pose an hazard to fire.
The Everhot is a sleek compact heater that is specifically designed for conservatories or, as the company describes it: "annexes, holiday cottages narrow boats, shepherds' huts and Glamping pods." It can reach temperatures of up to 200C and is therefore a good choice for heating as well as cooking. It has a timer and an ECO setting which optimizes the heating and power settings to be more efficient.
It's also quiet and silent, with no fan sound and no whirring noise when you alter settings. This makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms or living rooms. It also comes with a few additional features that are useful, like a built-in nightlight which glows blue when the heater is on and a built-in humidifier which can be turned on to intermittent mist mode for a more subtle effect. It's also durable and safe, with a tip over shutoff switch as well as an overheating protection that automatically shuts off the unit when it is overheated. It's also UL-listed for safety.
Safety
Electric heaters are to be used with caution. Fire hazards from heaters and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be particularly dangerous for people with a disability, elderly or those with chronic health issues or immune system disorders. Children and pets could knock over a heater, leading to injury or death.
ESFI suggests checking a heater's cord, plug and outlet on a regular basis. Find indications of damage, such as damaged plugs, loose cord, or if a plug is damaged or loose. If the outlet or cord is hot, you should stop using it and contact a qualified electrician to repair it. Don't connect multiple electrical devices to the same outlet using a space heater because it may overload it and cause overheating.
It is also a good idea to use only heaters that are listed or labelled by a national recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These products are more likely than other models to meet voluntary safety requirements. Also, never place a heater on easily flammable surfaces, like rugs and textiles. Maintain a minimum of three feet space between the heater and material that is combustible. Additionally, do not put heaters in bathrooms or kitchen, and don't be near it if you're soaking wet.
Additionally, be sure to connect the heater directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension cord. If you must use an extension cord, make sure you choose the most compact heavy-duty cord you can comprised of 14-gauge wire. Also, look for sagging outlets that could be a sign of an overloaded circuit.
If you're using an electric space heater in an open space, be sure to keep it at least six inches from anything that could ignite. Place the heater on a flat, non-flammable surface rather than on cabinets, furniture or tables, which may overheat. Lastly, be sure to switch off and unplug the heater when you leave the room or go to sleep; leaving it on increases the chance of fire.
Taking the proper safety measures when using electric heaters can prevent injuries and reduce energy consumption. Electric heaters are frequently employed by facility managers to provide additional heat in offices and common areas when temperatures decrease. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and service indoor or outdoor electric heaters to help make your workplace as comfortable as it can be during the cold winter months. Contact us for more information about heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting a portable electric heater be sure to consider its energy efficiency. This refers to the amount of electricity needed to create the desired heat output. Heaters that use less electricity are thought to be more efficient, and this could help reduce the total cost of heating a home or business.
The heating element is employed in most electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. It is usually made of a coil or ribbon, flexible heater, or tubular element that releases heat when a current flows through it. The amount of heat produced is contingent on the heating element used and the method used by which it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If electric fireplace stove Fireplaces And Stoves concerned about the impact on the environment, choose one that utilizes an environmentally-friendly form of energy. It could be a renewable energy source or a substitute to fossil-fuels such as wind or solar.
The energy efficiency of an electric heater also varies on where the electricity comes from and the method of generation. Electricity derived from wind or solar power plants is more efficient than electricity derived from fossil fuels in power stations.
Apart from selecting the heater that makes use of an environmentally friendly type of energy, you should choose one with an array of energy-saving features. This could include automatic shut-off systems in the event of overheating or in the event that the unit is accidentally tipped over.
These safety measures can be helpful to protect your employees or family members, and they can also contribute to lower energy bills by assisting you in avoiding excessive usage. A majority of portable electric heaters operate quietly, making them perfect for offices, bedrooms and other areas that require a quiet environment.
Another way in which an electric heater will save you money is by cutting down on the number of maintenance calls you'll need to make. Gas heaters are more expensive to fix than electric models and maintenance costs could increase over time. Electric models are generally cheaper to maintain, and they often have more advanced features that can assist you in conserving energy.
Installation
Electric heaters use the Joule principle that converts electrical power into radiant warmth that warms a space. Electric heaters are also more efficient and cost-effective than other heating methods, including gas. However, they aren't suitable for every home and can put pressure on the electricity system. It is essential to have an electrician examine the system before installing an electric wall heater.
There are several factors to consider when choosing an electric heater, including the type of heater you want and the space in which you wish to put it. The kind of heater you select will determine the amount it will cost to operate. Electric baseboard heaters are more expensive to operate than space heaters or portable heaters, however they provide more uniform heat and do not require chimneys or vents.
An electric fan heater is an electric fan that creates hot air that circulates through the room. This type of heater is usually cheapest to run, but it can be loud and takes longer to warm the room than other types of electric heaters.
Find a heater which has a thermostat built in. This feature lets you to set a temperature target and the heater will shut off automatically when it gets to the desired temperature. This feature will reduce your energy consumption and reduce the need to turn the heater on and off.
Before installing an electric heater, ensure that the power is turned off on the breaker panel. Also, ensure that the circuit is shut off by using a tester. Next, mark the area where you intend to mount the electric heater on the wall and cut an opening for it in the drywall. Utilize a drywall cutter to cut the required section, being careful not to cut any electrical wires or pipes.
Connect a 14/2 cable of the same length and gauge as the wires already in use, from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Strip about 1 inch of insulation off the ends of each conducting wire and connect them to an appropriate screw in the outlet box. Label this wire as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece of red tape. Connect it to the wire leads that are marked "load" in the thermostat box.