How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters offer a range of benefits, including a low cost of installation, minimal maintenance for the homeowner and a more efficient method to heat your home. They are also more convenient to use than heating systems that require venting.
They are particularly useful If your electricity provider provides Economy 7, as the cheaper off-peak rate will save you money on heating costs.
Temperature Settings
Ideally the electric heater should allow you to set the temperature you prefer, and keep that temperature constant without having to switch it on and off. This will decrease energy use and prevent you from entering a room that's too cold or leaving one that's too hot. Find electric fire log burner style and if possible one with an alarm function.
When you are choosing an electric heater, be sure it is rated for the space you're using it in. A heater that's too small will have to run for longer in order to reach the temperature you want. This can waste energy and can cause your space to overheat. Use our calculator to find the perfect size heater for your space in terms of watts per sq. foot.
Also, make sure that the knobs that regulate temperature are easy to adjust and reach. If the knobs are recessed, you may need to remove screws and peel back insulation to access them, which could be tricky. Make sure you are using the recommended temperature range for safety and efficiency. Temperatures that are lower than 120 degrees can cause bacteria to grow and increase the chance of scalding. When temperatures exceed 140 degrees could be a fire danger.
The Everhot is a stylish, compact heater that can be put to use in conservatories or, as the company describes it: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' huts... glamping pods." It can reach temperatures of up to 200C and is therefore an ideal choice to heat as well as cooking. It has a timer, and an ECO setting which optimizes the power and heat settings to be more efficient.
It's also extremely quiet. There isn't any fan noise or whirring sound when changing the settings. This makes it a good 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 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, as well as an overheating safety feature that automatically shuts the unit off when it is overheated. It's also UL-listed for safety.
Safety
When using electric heaters, you must to take the necessary safety precautions. Children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases or immune system disorders are at a greater risk of getting poisoned from carbon monoxide as well as fire hazards created by heaters. Pets and children may also knock the heater off, causing injury or death.
ESFI recommends checking a heater's cord, plug and outlet periodically. Look for signs of damage, for example cracks or loose plugs or a frayed cord. If the outlet or cord is hot, you should stop using it and consult a certified electrician to repair it. Do not connect more than one electrical device simultaneously as space heaters. This could cause overload to the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It is recommended to only use heaters that are identified or labelled by a national recognized testing laboratory, like UL. These products are more likely to conform to voluntary safety standards. Also, never place a heater on flammable surfaces, like carpets and fabrics. Keep a minimum of three feet between the heater and combustible material. Also, do not place heaters in bathrooms or kitchen and never use it if you're in a wet state.
Also, make sure to always plug a heater directly into a wall outlet and not an extension cord or power strip. If you must use an extension cord, choose the cord that is the shortest and most heavy-duty constructed of 14 gauge wire. Look for outlets that are sagging, because this could be a sign of a circuit that is overloaded.
Keep the electric space heater at least six inches from anything that can burn. Place the heater on an unburnable, flat surface, not 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.
Taking the proper safety measures when using electric heaters can avoid injuries and decrease energy consumption. As temperatures drop, facility managers frequently use electric heaters to provide warmth in office spaces and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and maintains outdoor or indoor electric heating systems to make your facility as cozy during the cold winter months as you can. Contact us today for more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting a portable electric heater, consider its energy efficiency. This is the amount of power required to generate the desired amount of heat. Heating systems that consume less energy are more efficient and reduce the cost of heating your business or home.
Most electrical heaters convert electricity into heat using a heating element. It is usually composed of a coil, ribbon or flexible heater element or tubular element which emits heat when an electric current flows through it. The amount of heat that is produced is dependent on the heating element and the method by the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you're concerned about the effect on the environment, select one that utilizes eco-friendly energy sources. It could be an energy source that is renewable or a substitute for fossil fuels, like wind or solar.
The energy efficiency of an electric heater also depends on where the electricity comes from and the method of generation. Electricity derived from a wind or solar power plant is more efficient than electricity generated by burning fossil fuels at a power station.
Aside from choosing a heater that uses an environmentally friendly form of energy, you should choose one with an array of energy-saving features. These could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that activate in the event of an overheated unit or if a heater is accidentally dropped.
These security measures will help protect your family members or employees, and will also help you save money on energy bills by preventing excessive use. A majority of portable electric heaters operate quietly, making them ideal for bedrooms, offices, and other areas that require a calm environment.
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 units can be more costly to fix than electric models, and the cost of maintenance may increase over time. Electric models are generally cheaper to maintain, and they usually have more advanced features that can aid in reducing energy consumption.
Installation
Electric heaters work on the principle of Joule energy, which converts electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and economical than other heating methods, especially gas. They aren't suitable for every household and could overburden an existing electric system. It's important to have an electrician check the system before installing an electric wall heater.
When choosing an electric heater you need to consider several aspects, such as the type and size of the heater as well as the room the space it will be placed. The kind of heater you pick will determine how much it costs to operate. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to operate than space heaters or portable heaters, but they offer more uniform heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
Electric fan heaters include a blower which circulates hot air through the room. This type of heater is usually most affordable to run, however it can be noisy and take longer to warm a room than other types of electric heaters.
Find a heater which includes a thermostat. This feature lets you set a target temperature and then shut it off when the temperature you want attained. This feature can help reduce the energy use and also reduce the need to keep turning the heater on and of.
Make sure you turn off the power source at the breaker box, and make use of a circuit tester to verify that it's off before you attempt to install an electric heating unit. Next, mark the area where you'll be mounting the electric heater on the wall. Once you have marked the location, cut an opening in the drywall. Use a drywall saw to remove the necessary section, being careful not to cut any existing electrical pipes or wires.
Run a cable 14/2 of the same gauge and length as the existing wires, from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Remove approximately 1 inch of insulation off the ends of each conductor wire and connect them to an accessible screw in the outlet box. The wire you identify as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece of red tape. Then, connect it to the wire leads with the label "load" in the thermostat box.