How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters offer a range of advantages, including a low initial cost, minimal maintenance for homeowners, and a more efficient method to heat your home. They are also more efficient than heating systems that require venting.
They are especially useful when your electricity provider offers Economy 7, as the cheaper off-peak rate will help you save money on the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
The ideal situation is that your electric heater lets you to set and maintain the temperature you prefer without needing to turn it off or 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 a thermostat with the ability to set a timer, should it be available.
When electric log effect stoves are choosing an electric heater, be sure that it's designed for the space in which you live. A heater that is too small will have to run longer to reach the desired temperature. This is a waste of energy and could cause your space to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the best heater size in watts per square foot for your room.
Also, make sure the knobs that regulate temperature are easy to adjust and reach. If the knobs are recessed you may need to remove screws and remove insulation to access them, which could be tricky. Make sure you are using the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures lower than 120 degrees could create a bacterial growth and increase the risk of scalding. While temperatures above 140 degrees could be a fire danger.
The Everhot is a beautiful compact heater that can be utilized in conservatories or, as the company describes it: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' shelters... Glamping pods." It can reach 200C, making it a good choice to heat as well as cooking. It comes with a timer and an ECO setting which optimizes the power and heat settings to make it more efficient.
It's also quiet, with no fan noise and no whirring sound when you change the settings. This makes it an excellent option for bedrooms and living rooms. It also comes with a few additional features that are useful, like an inbuilt nightlight that turns blue when the heater is on and a built-in humidifier which can be set to intermittent mist mode to create a subtle effect. It's also sturdy and safe with a tip-over shutoff switch and overheating protection that shuts down the unit if it gets too hot. 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 diseases or immune system disorders are at a greater chance of being poisoned by carbon monoxide and fire hazards caused by heaters. Children and pets can also knock a heater over and cause injury or even death.
ESFI recommends that you check the heater's plug and cord regularly. Check for signs of damage, such as a cracked or loose plug or frayed cord. If the cord or outlet is hot, call an experienced electrician to repair it. Don't connect multiple electrical devices to the same outlet with a space heater; it may overload it and cause overheating.
It is also a good idea to only use heaters that are identified or labelled by a national recognized testing laboratory, like UL. These heaters are more likely than others to meet voluntary safety requirements. Also, never place a heater on easily flame-prone surfaces, like carpets and fabrics. Make sure there is a minimum three-foot safety clearance between the heater and any material that is combustible. Also, don't put a heater in the bathroom or kitchen and do not be near it if you're soaking wet.
Also, make sure to always plug an electric heater directly into a wall outlet not a extension cord or power strip. If you need to connect an extension cord, choose the most compact one made with 14-gauge wire. Look for outlets that are sagging, as this could indicate an overloaded circuit.
If you're using an electric space heater in an open area ensure that you keep it at least six inches away from anything that could ignite. Place the space heater on an unburnable, flat surface instead of on furniture, cabinets or tables, which could overheat. Lastly, be sure to switch off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or retire to bed and leave it on to increase your risk of catching fire.
Utilizing the correct safety measures when using electric heaters can help to avoid injuries and cut down on energy consumption. Electric heaters are commonly used by facility managers to provide additional heat to offices and other common areas when temperatures fall. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and service indoor or outdoor electric heaters that will ensure that your workplace is as comfortable as it can be in the cold winter months. Contact us today to learn more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Take into consideration the energy efficiency of the portable heater before making your choice. This is the amount of energy required to produce the desired output. Heating systems that consume less energy are more efficient and can lower the cost of heating your business or home.
Most electrical heaters convert electricity into heat using an element for heating. It is usually composed of a coil, ribbon, flexible heater element, or tubular element that emits heat when an electric current flows through it. The amount of heat that is produced depends on the type of heating element employed and the method used by which it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you are concerned about the impact on the environment, choose a model which uses eco-friendly energy sources. It could be a renewable energy source or an alternative to fossil fuels like wind or solar.
The energy efficiency of electric heaters is also affected by the location and how the electricity is generated. Electricity derived from solar or wind power sources is more efficient than electricity derived from fossil fuels found in power stations.
It is not enough to select the heater that has an environmentally friendly energy source, but also one that comes with various energy-saving features. They could include automatic shut-off mechanisms in case of overheating or in the event that the unit is accidentally tilted over.
These security measures will help protect your family members or employees, and also help save money on energy bills by preventing 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 atmosphere.
Another way in which an electric heater will save you money is by cutting down on the number of maintenance calls that you will need to make. Gas heaters are more costly to fix than electric heaters, and the cost of maintenance could add up over time. Electric models are generally less expensive to maintain, and often have more advanced features that aid in reducing energy consumption.
Installation
Electric heaters operate by utilizing Joule energy, converting electrical energy into radiant heat that warms the room. my company and cost-effective when compared to other types of heating, particularly gas. They aren't suitable for all households and can strain an existing electricity system. This is why it's recommended to have a professional electrician check whether the current system is able to handle the extra load of an electric wall heater prior to installing one.
When choosing an electric heater you must consider a variety of aspects, such as the type and size of the heater, as well as the room the room it will be installed. The type of heater you select will determine the price to operate it. An electric baseboard heater can cost more to operate than an electric space heater or a portable unit however, it will provide more consistent warmth and doesn't require chimneys or vents.
An electric fan heater is a blower that creates hot air and then circulates it throughout the room. This type of heater is usually cheapest to run, but it can be noisy and take longer to heat a room than other types of electric heaters.
Find a heater which has a thermostat built in. This feature lets you set a target and the heater will shut off automatically when it attains the temperature. This feature can help reduce your energy usage and also save you from having to keep turning the heater on and off.
Make sure you 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 heating unit. Next, mark the location in which you plan to install the electric heater on the wall. Then, cut an opening for it in the drywall. Use a drywall cutting tool to remove the required section. Be careful not to scratch any electrical pipes or wires.
Connect a 14/2 cable of the same length and gauge as the wires already in use, from the breaker panel up to the wall opening. Strip about 1 inch of insulation off the conductors' ends on each 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. Connect it to the wire leads marked "load" in the thermostat box.