A Provocative Rant About Electric Heater
How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters offer a range of advantages, including low initial cost, minimal maintenance for homeowners and a more efficient method to heat your home. They're also more convenient than heating systems that require venting.
They are especially beneficial when your electricity provider offers Economy 7, as the cheaper off-peak tariff will reduce heating costs.
Temperature Settings
Ideally, your electric heater will enable 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 keep you from entering or leaving an area that is too cold. You should look for a thermostat and if you can, one with an alarm function.
When selecting an electric heater, be sure that it's designed for the space you're using it in. If the heater is too small will need to run for longer in order to reach the temperature you want. This can waste energy and could cause your space to overheat. Use our calculator to find the ideal heater size for your room in terms of watts per sq. foot.
Also, make sure the knobs for temperature control are easy to adjust and reach. You may have to remove screws or remove insulation to reach the knobs, if they are set in a recess. This can be a problem. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures below 120 degrees can lead to bacteria growth and increase the chance of scalding while temperatures that exceed 140 degrees can pose an hazard to fire.
The Everhot is a beautiful compact heater that can be put to use in conservatories or as the company says: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' shelters... glamping pods." It can reach up to 200C, making it an ideal choice for cooking as well as heating. It has a timer and an ECO mode that optimizes heat and power 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.
www.fireplacesandstove.com makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms or living rooms. It also has additional features including a built in nightlight that turns blue in color when the heater is turned on, and a built-in humidifier that can be set to intermittent mist to create a more subtle effect. It's also sturdy and secure with a tip-over shutoff switch as well as an overheating safety feature that will shut off the unit automatically in the event of overheating. It's also registered with UL for safety.
Safety
When using electric heaters, it's important to take the necessary safety precautions. Children, the elderly and people suffering from chronic diseases or immune system disorders are at a greater risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide and fire hazards caused by heaters. Pets and children may also knock a heater over and cause injury or even death.
ESFI suggests checking a heater's cord, plug and outlet regularly. Find indications of damage, like a cracked or loose plug or a frayed cord. If the outlet or cord feels hot, take it off and consult a certified electrician to replace it. Don't connect multiple electrical devices to the same outlet using the use of a space heater as it could overload the outlet and result in overheating.
It's a good idea to choose heaters that are listed or identified by a nationally-recognized test laboratory, like UL. These products are more likely to meet the voluntary safety standards. Also, never place a heater on fire-prone surfaces such as rugs and fabrics. Keep a minimum of three feet between the heater and any combustible material. Additionally, do not put a heater in the bathroom or kitchen and never be near it if you're soaking wet.
Also, always plug in a heater directly to an outlet on the wall. Never use the power strip. If you must use an extension cord, make sure you choose the shortest possible heavy-duty one made with 14-gauge wire. Also, check for any weak outlets, which could be a sign of 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 a flat surface instead of placing it on tables, cabinets or furniture, as they could overheat and cause fire. The last thing to do is unplug and switch off the heater prior to leaving the room.
Electric heaters are a fantastic option to reduce energy usage and prevent injuries. Electric heaters are often used by facility managers to provide extra heating in offices and other common areas when temperatures drop. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and services indoor or outdoor electric heating systems to make your workplace as cozy during these cold winter months as you can. Contact us today for more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When you are choosing an electric heater that is portable, consider its energy efficiency. This is the amount of electricity needed to create the desired amount of heat. Heating systems that consume less electricity are deemed to be more efficient and could help reduce the total cost of heating a home or business.
The heating element is utilized 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 that releases heat when an electric current flows through it. The amount of heat generated is dependent on the heating element and the method through the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you're concerned about the impact on the environment, you should select an option that uses green energy sources. This could be a sustainable energy source or an alternative to fossil-fuels such as solar or wind.
Electric heaters' energy efficiency is also influenced by where and how electricity is generated. Electricity generated from wind or solar power plants will be more efficient than electricity generated from fossil fuels found in the power plant.
You shouldn't just pick the heater that has an environmentally friendly energy source, but also one that is equipped with many energy-saving features. These could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that are activated in the event of a heater overheating, or if a unit is accidentally tipping.
These safety measures will protect your family or employees and can also help you save money on energy bills by preventing excessive usage. Many portable electric heaters work quietly, making them perfect for offices, bedrooms and other places that require a calm atmosphere.
Electric heaters can also save money by reducing your maintenance calls. Gas heaters are more costly to repair than electric ones 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 assist you in saving energy.
Installation
Electric heaters work on the principle of Joule energy, converting electricity into radiant heat that warms the room. They're also very efficient and economical when compared to other types of heating, especially gas. These heaters are not suitable for all households and may overburden an existing electric system. It is crucial to have an electrician inspect the system prior to installing the wall heater.
When choosing an electric heater you need to consider several factors, including the size and type of the heater as well as the room in the space it will be placed. The type of heater you pick will determine the amount it costs to operate. Electric baseboard heaters are more expensive to run than portable heaters or space heaters, however they provide more uniform heat and do not require chimneys or vents.
An electric fan heater has an air blower that produces hot air and then circulates it throughout the room. This type of electric heater is the cheapest, but can be noisy and takes a longer time to warm the room.
Find a space heater with a built-in thermostat. This feature lets you set a target and the heater will turn off automatically when it attains the desired temperature. This will significantly cut down on consumption of energy and prevent you from turning the heater on and off.
Make sure to shut off the power at the breaker box, and test the circuit with a tester to verify that it is off before you attempt to install an electric heater. Mark the location on the wall where you plan to install the heater and then cut a hole in the wall. Utilize a drywall saw to cut the required section, being careful not to cut any existing 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 by removing approximately 1 inch of insulation. Label this wire as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece of red tape, and connect it to the wire leads marked "load" in the thermostat box.