How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters have a number of advantages that include low initial costs, little maintenance required by the homeowner, and efficient heating. They're also more convenient than heating systems that require venting.
You can save money on heating costs when you are a customer of an electricity company that offers Economy 7.
Temperature Settings
Ideally your electric heater will enable you to set the temperature you prefer, and keep that temperature constant without having to switch it off and on. This will help save energy and stop you from entering or leaving a room too cold. Find a thermostat that has an alarm clock, if it's possible.
When selecting an electric heater, be sure that it's suitable for your space. A heater that's too small will need to run longer to reach the temperature you want. This is a waste of energy and could cause your space to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the right size of heater for your room in terms of watts per sq. foot.
Also, ensure that the temperature control knobs are easy to reach and adjust. It is possible to remove screws or peel back insulation to reach the knobs, if they are recessed. This could be a problem. It's also important to check the recommended temperature range for safety and efficiency reasons. Temperatures that are lower than 120 degrees can trigger bacteria growth and increase the risk of scalding, and temperatures higher than 140 degrees may be dangerous for fire.
The Everhot is an elegant compact heater specifically designed for conservatories or, as the company describes it: "annexes, holiday cottages, narrow boats, shepherds' huts and camping pods." It reaches 200C, making it an ideal option for cooking as well as heating. stove electric heater has a timer and an ECO mode, which optimizes power and heat settings to make it more energy efficient.
It is also very quiet. There's no fan noise or whirring sound when changing the settings. This makes it a great option for bedrooms or living rooms. It comes with additional features like a built-in nightlight that lights up in a blue color when the heater is on, and a built-in humidifier that can be set to emit intermittent mists to give a more subtle effect. It's also durable and safe with a tip-over shutoff switch as well as a protection against overheating that shuts down the unit should it overheat. stove electric heater 's also certified by UL for safety.
Safety
When using electric heaters, it is essential to take the necessary safety precautions. Children, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic illnesses or immune system disorders are at a greater risk of getting poisoned from carbon monoxide and fire hazards caused by heaters. 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. Find signs of damage, for example damaged or loose plug or frayed cord. If the outlet or cord is hot, consult a qualified electrical contractor to repair it. Do not connect more than one electrical device simultaneously as a space heater. This can overload the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It is recommended to only use heaters that have been registered or labelled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These heaters are more likely than other models to meet the voluntary safety requirements. Never place a heater near flammable materials, such as carpets or textiles. Maintain a minimum of three feet space between the heater and substances that are combustible. Also, never put heaters near the bathroom or in the kitchen. Do not touch it if you are wet.
Additionally, be sure to always plug a heater directly into a wall outlet and not into a extension cord or power strip. If you have to use an extension cord, select the most compact heavy-duty cord you can made of 14-gauge wire. Also, check for any loose outlets that could indicate an overloaded circuit.
Keep an electric space heater at least six inches from anything that could cause. Place the space heater on a flat, non-flammable surface, not on cabinets, furniture or tables, which could overheat. Lastly, be sure to switch off and unplug the heater when you leave the room or go to bed as it increases the chance of fire.
Taking the proper safety measures when using electric heaters can help to avoid injuries and cut down on energy consumption. As temperatures drop, facilities managers frequently turn to electric heaters to add warmth in offices and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and maintain outdoor or indoor electric heaters to help make your workplace as comfortable as possible in the cold winter months. Contact us today for more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting a portable electric heater, consider its energy efficiency. This is the amount of power required to produce the desired amount of heat. Heating systems that require less energy are more efficient and can reduce the cost of heating your home or business.
The heating element is employed in the majority of electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. It is typically made up of a ribbon or coil flexible heater or tubular element that releases heat when a current is passed through it. The amount of heat produced is contingent on the heating element and the method used by which it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you are concerned about the environmental impact, look for an option that utilizes an environmentally friendly type of energy. It could be an energy source that is renewable or an alternative to fossil fuels, like 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 derived from a wind or solar power plant is more efficient than electricity produced by burning fossil fuels at a power plant.
It is not enough to select a heater with an eco-friendly energy source, but also one that comes with various energy-saving features. They could include automatic shut-off mechanisms in the event of overheating or if the unit is accidentally tilted over.
These safety measures will protect your employees or family and can also help you save money on energy bills by preventing excessive use. A lot of portable electric heaters are designed to run quietly which makes them perfect for offices, bedrooms, and other areas which require a calm atmosphere.
Another way in which an electric heater can save you money is by reducing the number of maintenance calls you'll need to make. Gas heaters are more expensive to repair than electric heaters and the expense of maintenance may add up over time. Electric models are usually cheaper to maintain and usually come with more advanced features to assist you in saving energy.
Installation
Electric heaters operate by utilizing Joule energy, which converts electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and economical than other heating methods, including gas. However, they're not suitable for every home and can put a strain on the electricity system. Therefore, it's best to have an electrician professional check if the current system is able to handle the additional demand of an electric wall heater before installing one.
There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing an electric heater, such as the type of heater you want and the space you intend to place it. The type of heater that you select will determine the price to run it. Electric baseboard heaters are more expensive to run than portable heaters or space heaters, however they provide more uniform heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
An electric fan heater is an air blower that produces hot air and circulates it in the room. This type of electric heater is the most affordable, but can be noisy and takes longer to warm rooms.
Look for an electric space heater that has an integrated thermostat. This feature allows you to set a target temperature and shuts off automatically when the desired temperature has been attained. This feature will reduce your energy consumption and help you avoid having to constantly turn the heater on and of.
Make sure you turn off the power at the breaker box and test the circuit with a tester to verify that it is turned off before you begin installing an electric heating unit. Next, mark the area where you intend to mount the electric heater on the wall and cut an opening in the drywall. Use a drywall cutting tool to remove the required section. Be careful not to cut any electrical pipes or wires.
Use a cable 14/2 of the same length and gauge as the wires already in use, from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Strip approximately 1 inch of insulation off the ends of each conductor wire and connect them to an accessible screw in the outlet box. 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".