How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters have a number of advantages they offer, including low initial costs, little maintenance by the homeowner, and efficient heating. They're also more convenient than heating systems that require venting.
You can save money on heating expenses If you have an electricity provider that offers Economy 7.
Temperature Settings
Ideally your electric heater will enable you to set the temperature you like, then maintain that temperature without the need to switch it on and off. This will cut energy usage and save you from entering the wrong room or leaving one that's too hot. Find a thermostat with an alarm clock, if it's possible.
When choosing an electric heater, make sure that it's rated for the space in which you live. If the heater isn't big enough for your space will have to run for longer than it needs to reach the desired temperature, which is a waste of energy and causes the room to overheat. Utilize our calculator to determine the ideal heater size for your room in terms of watts per sq. foot.
Also, ensure that the knobs that regulate temperature are easy to adjust and reach. If the knobs are recessed, you might have to remove screws and peel back insulation to access the knobs, which can be tricky. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range for safety and efficiency reasons. Temperatures below 120 degrees can cause the growth of bacteria and increase the risk for scalding. When temperatures exceed 140 degrees could be an hazard to fire.
The Everhot is a stylish, compact heater that can be used in conservatories, or as the company describes it: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' cabins... Glamping pods." It reaches 200C, making it an ideal choice for cooking as well as heating. It comes with a timer as well as an ECO mode, which optimizes heat and power settings to make it more energy efficient.
It's also quiet. There's no noise from fans or the sound of whirring when you change the settings. This makes it a great choice for bedrooms or living rooms. It also comes with other convenient features, including a built-in nightlight that glows blue when the heater is on and a built-in humidifier that can be switched to an intermittent mist setting to provide a more subtle effect. It's also sturdy and safe and comes with a tip over shutoff switch as well as an overheating protection which automatically shuts off the unit in the event of overheating. It's also registered with UL for safety.
Safety
When using electric heaters, it is essential to take the appropriate safety precautions. Children, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic illnesses or immune system issues are at a greater chance of being poisoned by carbon monoxide and fire hazards caused by heaters. In Fireplaces And Stoves , children and pets can knock over a heater, leading to injury or even death.
ESFI recommends that you check the heater's cord and plug regularly. Find signs of damage, such as cracks or loose plugs or frayed cord. If the cord or outlet is hot, take it off and call a licensed electrician to repair it. Also, never connect multiple electrical devices to the same outlet, including a space heater; it may overload it and cause overheating.
It's also a good idea to use only heaters that have been listed or labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These heaters are more likely to meet the safety standards of voluntary manufacturers. Avoid placing a heater near flammable materials, such as carpets or textiles. Maintain a minimum of three feet between the heater and combustible material. Also, don't put heaters in bathrooms or kitchen and do not touch it if you're wet.
Additionally, be certain to plug an electric heater directly into a wall outlet not a extension cord or power strip. If you have to use an extension cord, make sure you choose the cord that is the shortest and most heavy-duty comprised of 14-gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are not sagging, as this could indicate a circuit that is overloaded.
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 heater on a flat, non-flammable surface rather than on furniture, cabinets or tables that could overheat. Last but not least, unplug and turn off the heater before you leave the room.
Making sure you are taking the appropriate safety precautions when using electric heaters can to avoid injuries and cut down on the energy use. As temperatures drop, facilities managers frequently turn to electric heaters to provide extra warmth in offices and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and service indoor or outdoor electric heaters to help make your workplace as comfortable as it can be in the cold winter months. Contact us to learn more about heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting an electric heater that is portable, consider its energy efficiency. This refers to the amount of energy required to produce the desired output. Heaters that use less energy are more efficient and can reduce the cost of heating your business or home.
Most electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat using an element for heating. This is typically made up of a coil, ribbon or flexible heater element or tubular element that releases heat when an electric current passes through it. The amount of heat that is produced is dependent on the heating element employed and the method by the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you are concerned about your environmental impact, consider models that use an environmentally friendly type of energy. It could be a renewable source of power or a substitute for fossil fuels like wind or solar.
The energy efficiency of an electric heater also depends on the source of electricity from and the method of generation. Electricity generated by solar or wind power plants will be more efficient that electricity generated from fossil fuels found in a power station.
You shouldn't just pick a heater that is an environmentally friendly energy source, but also one that has a number of energy-saving features. These could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that activate in the event of a heater overheating, or if a unit is accidentally dropped.
These safety measures can help to safeguard your family or employees and they can also contribute to lower energy bills by assisting you in avoiding excessive usage. A majority of portable electric heaters operate quietly, which makes them ideal for offices, bedrooms and other places that require a quiet atmosphere.
Electric heaters can also save you money by reducing your maintenance calls. Gas heaters are more expensive to fix than electric ones and maintenance costs can add up over 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 rely on the Joule principle, which converts electrical power into radiant warmth that warms the room. They're also very efficient and economical in comparison to other forms of heating, especially gas. They aren't suitable for every household and could overburden an existing electric system. This is why it's best to have an expert electrician verify that the current system is able to handle the additional load of an electric wall heater before installing one.
There are a variety of aspects to take into consideration when selecting an electric heater, including the type of heater you choose and the room where you want to place it. The kind of heater you choose will determine the amount it will cost to run. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to operate than portable heaters or space heaters, but they provide an even heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
A fan heater with an electric motor has an air blower that produces hot air and then circulates it throughout the room. This type of heater is the least expensive but it can also be noisy and takes longer to warm up the room.
Look for a space heater with a built-in thermostat. This feature allows you to set a temperature target and the heater shuts off automatically when it reaches that temperature. This can drastically reduce your consumption of energy and keep you from constantly turning the heater on and off.
Before attempting to install an electric heater, ensure that the power is turned off on the breaker panel and verify that the circuit is shut off by using a tester. 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. Utilize a drywall saw to cut the required section, taking care not to cut any electrical pipes or wires.
Run a cable 14/2 of the same gauge and length as the wires already in use, from the breaker box up to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw in the outlet box, removing about 1 inch of insulation. Label or mark the wire by using red tape to identify it as the "line". Connect it to the wire leads inside the thermostat box, marked "load".