How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters offer a range of advantages, including low initial cost, minimal maintenance for homeowners and an efficient way to heat your home. They are also more convenient to use than heating systems which require venting.
They are especially useful If your electricity provider provides Economy 7 as the lower off-peak tariff can reduce the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
The ideal situation is that your electric heater lets you to adjust and maintain the temperature you desire without needing to turn it on or off. This will cut energy usage and save you from entering a room that's too cold or leaving one that's too hot. Find a thermostat that has the ability to set a timer, should it be available.
When you are choosing an electric heater, be sure that it's suitable for the space you have. A heater that is too small for your space will need to run longer than necessary to reach the desired temperature, which wastes energy and causes the room to overheat. Utilize our calculator to determine the ideal heater's power in watts per square foot for your space.
Also, make sure that the temperature control knobs are easy to reach and adjust. You may need to remove screws or peel back insulation to reach the knobs, if they are recessed. This could be a challenge. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures lower than 120 degrees could trigger bacteria growth and increase the chance of scalding while temperatures that exceed 140 degrees can pose an hazard to fire.
The Everhot is an elegant, compact heater that can be used in conservatories, or as the company describes it: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' shelters... glamping pods." It reaches up to 200C, making it an ideal choice for cooking as well as heating. It has a timer, and an ECO setting that optimizes the power and heat settings to be more efficient.
It is also very quiet. There's no fan noise or the sound of whirring when you change the settings. This makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms or living rooms. It also has additional features, such as a built in nightlight that lights up in a blue color when the heater is turned on, as well as an integrated humidifier that can be adjusted to create intermittent mist to give a more subtle effect. It is also sturdy and secure with a tip-over shutoff switch as well as an overheating safety feature that automatically shuts the unit off when it is overheated. realistic electric stove fire is also UL-listed to ensure security.
Safety
Electric heaters should be used with caution. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases or immune system disorders are at a greater risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide and fire hazards triggered by heaters. Additionally, children and pets can knock over a heater, leading to injury or death.
ESFI suggests that you inspect the plug and cord of your heater regularly. Find indications of damage, such as a cracked plug, a loose cord, or if the plug is loose or cracked. If the outlet or cord is hot, consult an experienced electrician to repair it. Never connect multiple electrical devices simultaneously as a space heater. This could cause overload to the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It's a good idea to choose heaters that have been listed or identified by a nationally-recognized test laboratory, like UL. These heaters are more likely to be in compliance with the voluntary safety standards. Do not place a heater in proximity to flammable materials, such as carpets or textiles. Make sure to keep a minimum distance of three feet between the heater and any combustible material. Also, do not place heaters in the bathroom or in the kitchen. Do not touch it if you are wet.
Also, always plug in the heater directly to an outlet in the wall. Never use the power strip. If you must use an extension cord, select the shortest heavy-duty cord possible constructed of 14 gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are not sagging, as this could indicate an overloaded circuit.
Keep the electric space heater at least six inches from anything that can burn. Place the space heater on a flat, non-flammable surface, not on cabinets, furniture or tables, which could overheat. Last but not least, unplug and turn off the heater before leaving the room.
Taking the proper safety measures when using electric heaters can help avoid injuries and decrease the energy use. Electric heaters are frequently used by facility managers to provide extra heat to offices and other common areas as temperatures decrease. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and maintain outdoor or indoor electric heaters to ensure that your workplace is as comfortable as it can be during the cold winter months. Contact us 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 electricity needed to create the desired heat output. Heating systems that require less energy are more efficient and can reduce the cost of heating your home or business.
The majority of electrical heaters convert electricity into heat using a heating element. It is usually made of a coil or ribbon, flexible heater, or tubular element that emits heat when a current flows through it. The amount of heat generated depends on the type and method of heating element (convection, radiation).
If you are concerned about environmental impact, look for a model that uses an environmentally friendly method of energy. It could be a renewable energy source or an alternative to fossil-fuels such as solar or wind.
The energy efficiency of an electric heater is also dependent on the source of electricity from and how it is generated. Electricity generated from wind or solar power plants is more efficient than electricity derived from fossil fuels used in power stations.
You shouldn't just pick a heater with an environmentally friendly energy source, but also one that comes with a number of energy-saving features. This could include automatic shut-off systems in the event of excessive heat or if the unit is accidentally tipped over.
These safety measures can be helpful to safeguard your family or employees, and they can also help reduce your energy costs by helping you avoid excessive usage. Many portable electric heaters work quietly, making them perfect for bedrooms, offices and other places that require a quiet environment.
Another way that electric heaters will save you money is by reducing the number of maintenance calls you will need to make. Gas heaters are more costly to repair than electric models and maintenance costs could increase over time. Electric models are typically less expensive to maintain and have more advanced features to help you save money.
Installation
Electric heaters use the Joule principle that converts electrical energy into radiant warmth that warms a space. They're also extremely efficient and cost-effective when compared to other types of heating systems, particularly gas. These heaters are not suitable for all households and can overburden an existing electric system. It is crucial to have an electrician inspect the system prior to installing an electric wall heater.
When choosing an electric heater you should consider several aspects, including the size and type of the heater as well as the space in which it will be placed. The type of heater that you choose will determine the price to run it. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to operate than portable heaters or space heaters, but they offer more uniform heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
A fan heater with an electric motor has an air blower that produces hot air and circulates it in the room. This type of heater is usually the most affordable to run, however it can be noisy and take longer to warm a room than other types of electric heaters.
Look for the space heater with an integrated thermostat. This feature allows you to set a temperature target and shuts off automatically when the desired temperature has been reached. This will significantly cut down on energy usage and save you from constantly turning the heater on and off.
Make sure to shut off the power source at the breaker box and test the circuit with a tester to ensure that it's off before attempting to install an electric heating unit. Then, mark the spot where you intend to mount the electric heater on the wall and cut a hole in the drywall. Utilize a drywall cutter to remove the necessary section, taking care not to cut any existing electrical pipes or wires.
Use a cable 14/2 of the same gauge and length as the existing wires, from the breaker box up to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw available in the outlet box, removing about 1 inch of insulation. The wire you identify as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape. Then, connect it to the wire leads that are marked "load" in the thermostat box.