How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters come with a host of advantages they offer, including low initial costs, little maintenance required by the homeowner and efficient heating. They are also more efficient than heating systems that require venting.
They are especially useful If your electricity provider provides Economy 7 because the less expensive off-peak tariff can save you money on heating costs.
Temperature Settings
Ideal is that your electric heater permits you to set and maintain the temperature you prefer without needing to turn it on or off. This will reduce energy consumption and prevent you from entering an area that's too cold or leaving one that's too hot. You should look for a thermostat and if possible one with a timer function.
When selecting an electric heater, be sure that it's suitable for the space you have. A heater that's too small will need to run longer to achieve the temperature you want. This is a waste of energy and can cause your room to overheat. Use our calculator to find the ideal heater size for your room in terms of watts per sq. foot.
Also, ensure that the knobs for temperature control are easy to adjust and reach. If the knobs are recessed, you may have to take out screws and remove insulation to access the knobs, which can be a challenge. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures that are lower than 120 degrees could trigger bacteria growth and increase the risk of scalding while temperatures that exceed 140 degrees could pose dangerous for fire.
The Everhot is an elegant compact heater that is designed for use in conservatories or, as the company puts it: "annexes, holiday cottages, narrow boats, shepherds' huts and Glamping pods." It can reach temperatures of up to 200C, making it a decent option for cooking and heating. It has a timer and an ECO setting that optimizes the temperature and power settings to make it more efficient.
It's also quiet, with no fan noise and no whirring when you alter settings. This makes it a great choice for bedrooms and living rooms. It also comes with a few other useful features, such as an inbuilt nightlight that turns blue when the heater is turned on and a built-in humidifier which can be set to an intermittent mist setting for a more subtle effect. It's also durable and secure and comes with a tip over shutoff switch as well as an overheating protection that will shut off the unit automatically in the event of overheating. It's also UL-listed for safety.
Safety
Electric heaters should be used with care. Children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses or immune system disorders are at a higher risk of getting poisoned from carbon monoxide as well as fire hazards created by heaters. Children and pets can also knock the heater over which can cause injury or even death.
ESFI recommends checking a heater's cord, plug and outlet periodically. Find signs of damage, for example a cracked or loose plug or frayed cord. If the cord or outlet feels hot, contact a qualified electrical contractor to replace it. Don't plug multiple electrical devices into the same outlet, including a space heater; it could cause overload and result in overheating.
It's also a good idea to only use heaters that are listed or labelled by a national recognized testing laboratory, like UL. These heaters are more likely to meet voluntary safety standards. Also, don't place a heater on fire-prone surfaces such as rugs and fabrics. Keep at least a three-foot distance between the heater and material that is combustible. Also, don't put heaters near the bathroom or in the kitchen. Never touch it when you are wet.
Also, make sure to connect a heater directly to a wall outlet. Never use a power strip. If you must use an extension cord, make sure you choose the most compact heavy-duty cord you can constructed of 14 gauge wire. Examine any outlets that are sagging because this could be a sign of a circuit that is overloaded.
If you're using an electric space heater in an open area make sure to keep it at least six inches from anything that may ignite. Place the space heater on an unburnable, flat surface, not on cabinets, furniture or tables that could overheat. Also, make sure to turn off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or go to bed; leaving it on increases the chance of catching fire.
Electric heaters are a great option to reduce energy usage and prevent injuries. As temperatures drop, facilities managers often turn to electric heaters to add warmth in office areas and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and provides maintenance for outdoor and indoor electric heating systems to make your workplace as comfortable during these cold winter months as is possible. Contact us today to learn more about heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When you are choosing a portable electric heater, consider its energy efficiency. This is the amount of energy required to generate the desired output. Heating systems that consume less energy are more efficient and lower the cost of heating your business or home.
The heating element is utilized in most electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. It is usually composed of a ribbon, coil or flexible heater element or tubular element that releases heat when an electric current flows through it. The amount of heat produced is dependent on the type and method of heating element (convection radiation, convection).
If you're concerned about the impact on the environment, choose one that utilizes an environmentally-friendly form of energy. This could be a sustainable energy source or an alternative to fossil fuels, such as wind or solar.
The energy efficiency of an electric heater is also dependent on the source of electricity from and how it is generated. Electricity that is sourced from a solar or wind power plant is more efficient than electricity derived from burning fossil fuels at a power plant.
In addition to choosing a heater that runs on an eco-friendly form of energy, it is important to consider a heater that comes with a variety of built-in energy saving features. This could include automatic shut-off mechanisms in case of excessive heat or if the unit is accidentally tipped over.
These security measures will help protect your employees or family and will also help you save money on energy bills by preventing excessive usage. Many portable electric heaters work quietly, which makes them ideal for bedrooms, offices and other places where you need a peaceful environment.
Electric heaters can also save money by reducing maintenance calls. Gas units can be more costly to fix than an electric model, and the expense of maintenance may add up over time. Electric models are generally less expensive to maintain and usually include more advanced features that help you save energy.
Installation
Electric heaters work on the Joule principle that converts electrical energy into radiant warmth that warms a room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and economical than other heating methods, including gas. page are not suitable for all households and can strain an existing electricity system. It is crucial to have an electrician examine the system prior to installing the wall heater.
When selecting an electric heater, you need to consider several aspects, including the size and type of the heater, as well as the room in which it will be placed. The kind of heater you pick will determine the amount it will cost to run. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to operate than space heaters or portable heaters, however they provide more uniform heat and do not require chimneys or vents.
Electric fan heaters include a blower which circulates hot air in the room. This type of heater is usually the cheapest to run, but it can be noisy and takes longer to heat a room than other types of electric heaters.
Look for an electric space heater that has a built-in thermostat. This feature allows you to set a temperature and the heater will shut off automatically when it gets to the desired temperature. This can significantly reduce your consumption of energy and prevent you from having to turn the heater on and off.
Before you attempt to install an electric heater, ensure that the power is off at the breaker panel and ensure that the circuit is off with a tester. Mark the location on the wall where you plan to place the heater, and then cut a hole into the drywall. Utilize a drywall cutter to remove the required section. Be careful not to damage any electrical wires or pipes.
Run a cable 14/2 of the same length and gauge as the wires already in use, from the breaker box up to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw available in the outlet box by removing approximately 1 inch of insulation. Identify this wire as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape. Then, connect it to the wire leads with the label "load" in the thermostat box.