How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters provide a variety of advantages, including low initial cost, minimal maintenance for the homeowner and a cost-effective method to warm your home. They are also more efficient than heating systems that require venting.
They are especially useful when your electricity provider offers Economy 7 because the less expensive off-peak rate will save you money on heating costs.
Temperature Settings
The ideal situation is that your electric heater lets you to set and maintain the temperature you want without needing to turn it off or off. This will conserve energy and keep you from entering or leaving a room too cold. Look for a thermostat, and if possible one with a timer function.
When selecting an electric heater, be sure it's rated for the space you have. If the heater is too small will need to run for longer in order to reach the desired temperature. This is a waste of energy and could cause your space to overheat. Use our calculator to find the ideal heater size for your space in terms of the watts per square. foot.
Also, make sure the knobs for temperature adjustment are easy to adjust and reach. You may have remove screws or remove insulation to reach the knobs if they are recessive. This could be a hassle. Be sure to check the recommended temperature range for safety and efficiency. Temperatures below 120 degrees can cause the growth of bacteria and increase the chance of burning. When temperatures exceed 140 degrees could pose dangerous for fire.
The Everhot is an elegant compact heater that can be used in conservatories, or as the company describes it: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' huts... Glamping pods." It reaches up to 200C, making it an ideal option for cooking as well as heating. It comes with a timer as well as an ECO mode that optimizes power and heat settings to make it more energy efficient.
It's also quiet and silent, with no fan sound and no whirring noise when you change settings. This makes it a great option for bedrooms and living rooms. It comes with additional features, such as a built-in nightlight that glows a blue color when the heater is on, and a built-in humidifier that can be set to intermittent mist to create a more subtle effect. It's also sturdy and safe and comes with a tip-over shutdown switch as well as an overheating protection feature that automatically shuts off the unit if it gets too hot. It is also UL-listed to ensure safety.
Safety
Electric heaters should be used with caution. Children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses or immune system disorders are at greater risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide and fire hazards caused by heaters. Additionally, children and pets may knock over a heater, which can lead to injury or even death.
ESFI recommends checking a heater's plug, cord and outlet regularly. Look for indications of damage, such as cracks in the plug, a loose cord or if the plug is damaged or loose. If the outlet or cord is hot, consult an electrician who is certified to repair it. Never connect more than one electrical device at the same time, such as space heaters. This could cause overload to the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It is a good idea to use heaters that are listed or labelled by a nationally recognized test laboratory, such as UL. These products are more likely to conform to voluntary safety standards. Never place a heater near flammable materials, such as carpets or fabrics. Make sure to keep a minimum distance of three feet between the heater and the combustible material. Also, don't put heaters in the bathroom or kitchen and never use it if you're in a wet state.
Also, always plug in a heater directly to an outlet on the wall. Never use the power strip. If you need to use an extension cord, choose the shortest one that is heavy-duty and made with 14-gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are not sagging, because this could be a sign of an overloaded circuit.
Keep an electric space heater at least six inches away from anything that can burn. Place the heater on an unburnable, flat surface instead of on cabinets, furniture or tables, which could overheat. Be sure to switch off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or go to bed as it increases your risk of fire.
Making sure you are taking the appropriate safety precautions when using electric heaters can avoid injuries and decrease the energy use. Electric heaters are commonly employed by facility managers to provide additional heat in offices and common areas when temperatures fall. Preferred electric fireplace stove heater can install and service indoor or outdoor electric heaters to make your facility as comfortable as it can be during these cold winter months. Contact us today to learn more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Take into consideration the energy efficiency of a portable heater prior to making your choice. This refers to the amount of power required to create the desired amount of heat. Heaters that use less electricity are considered more efficient and can help to reduce the overall cost of heating a house or business.
The heating element is employed in most electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. It is made up of a coil, ribbon, flexible heater element, or tubular element which emits heat when an electric current passes through it. The amount of heat that is produced is dependent on the heating element used and the method by the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you are concerned about your environmental impacts, you should consider a model that uses an environmentally friendly method of energy. This could be a sustainable energy source or an alternative to fossil fuels like solar or wind.
Electric heaters' energy efficiency is also affected by where and how the electricity is generated. Electricity derived from wind or solar power plants will be more efficient that electricity derived from fossil fuels used in the power plant.
Apart from selecting the heater that makes use of an eco-friendly form of energy, it is important to choose one with a variety of built-in energy saving features. These might include automatic shut-off systems in the event of excessive heat or if the unit is accidentally tilted over.
These safety measures can help to protect your family or employees, and they could also help reduce your energy costs by helping you to avoid excessive usage. Many portable electric heaters are engineered to operate quietly as well making them suitable for offices, bedrooms, and other areas that require a peaceful environment.
Another way in which an electric heater will save you money is by cutting down on the number of maintenance calls that you'll need to make. Gas heaters can be more expensive to fix than electric heaters, and the expense of maintenance can add up over time. Electric models are generally less expensive to maintain, and often come with advanced features that assist you in conserving energy.
Installation
Electric heaters operate by utilizing Joule energy, converting electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and economical than other heating methods, 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 before installing an electric wall heater.
There are several aspects to take into account when choosing an electric heater, such as the type of heater and the space in which you wish to place it. The type of heater you choose will determine the cost to run it. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to run than portable heaters or space heaters, but they provide a more even heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
A fan heater with an electric motor has an electric fan that creates hot air that circulates through the room. This kind of electric heater is the least expensive, but can be noisy and take longer to heat up the room.
Find a heater that includes a thermostat. This feature allows you to set a temperature goal and shuts off automatically when the desired temperature has been reached. This will significantly cut down on consumption of energy and keep you from turning the heater on and off.
Before you attempt to install an electric heater, be sure that the power is turned off on the breaker panel. Also, ensure that the circuit is off with a tester. Next, mark the location where you'll be mounting the electric heater on the wall. Then, cut a hole in the drywall. Use a drywall cutting tool to remove the required section. Be careful not to scratch any electrical wires or pipes.
Use a 14/2 cable with the same gauge as the wires already in place from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Remove approximately 1 inch of insulation off the ends of each conducting wire and connect them to an appropriate screw in the outlet box. The wire you identify as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape, and connect it to the wire leads marked "load" in the thermostat box.