How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters have a wide range of advantages, including a lower initial cost, low maintenance for homeowners and an efficient way to warm your home. They are also more convenient to use than heating systems that require venting.
They are especially beneficial when your electricity provider offers Economy 7 as the lower off-peak rate will reduce the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
Ideal 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 save energy and keep you from entering or leaving a room too cold. Find a thermostat with 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. If the heater is too small will need to run longer to reach the desired temperature. This can waste energy and can cause your space to overheat. Utilize our calculator to determine the optimal heater's power in watts per square foot for your area.
Also, make sure that the temperature adjustment knobs are accessible and adjust. If the knobs are recessed you might have to remove screws and remove insulation to access them, which can be tricky. It's also important to check the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures lower than 120 degrees can lead to bacteria growth and increase the chance of scalding while temperatures that exceed 140 degrees may be a fire hazard.
The Everhot is a stylish, compact heater that can be utilized in conservatories or, as the company says: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' shelters... glamping pods." It can reach temperatures of up to 200C, making it an ideal option for cooking and heating. It comes with a timer and an ECO setting that optimizes the power and heat settings to be more efficient.
It's also quiet. There isn't any fan noise or whirring sound when changing the settings. This makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms or living rooms. It also has additional features like a built-in nightlight that turns blue in color when the heater is turned on, and a built-in humidifier that can be adjusted to create intermittent mist to give a more subtle effect. It's also safe and sturdy, with a tip-over shutoff switch as well as a protection against overheating that shuts down the unit in the event of overheating. It's also registered with UL for safety.
Safety
When using electric heaters, it's important to take the proper safety precautions. Risks of fire from heaters as well as carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are particularly dangerous for children, elderly people and those with chronic health issues or immune system disorders. Children and pets can also knock a heater over and cause injury or even death.
ESFI suggests checking a heater's cord, plug and outlet periodically. Look for indications of damage, like a cracked or loose plug or a damaged cord. If the outlet or cord feels hot, contact a qualified electrical contractor to replace it. Never connect multiple electrical devices 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 select heaters that have been listed or labeled by a nationally recognized test laboratory, like UL. These heaters are more likely to meet voluntary safety standards. Also, do not place a heater on flame-prone surfaces, like carpets and fabrics. Make sure to keep a minimum distance of three feet between the heater and combustible material. Also, don't put a heater in the bathroom or kitchen and never use it if you're in a wet state.
Be sure to connect an electric heater directly into a wall outlet, not an power strip or extension cord. If electric heating stove need to connect an extension cord, choose the shortest possible heavy-duty one constructed with 14 gauge wire. Also, look for weak outlets that could indicate an overloaded circuit.
Keep the electric space heater at least six inches from anything that could cause. Place the space heater on a flat, non-flammable surface instead of on furniture, cabinets or tables that could overheat. Lastly, be sure to switch off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or go to bed as it increases the risk of fire.
Electric heaters are a great way to reduce energy consumption and prevent injuries. As temperatures drop, facility managers frequently use electric heaters to provide warmth in offices and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and maintain outdoor or indoor electric heaters that will ensure that your workplace is as comfortable as is possible in the cold winter months. Contact us for more information about heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When you are choosing an electric heater that is portable be sure to consider its energy efficiency. This is the amount of electricity needed to create the desired amount of heat. Heating systems that consume less electricity are deemed to be more efficient and can help to reduce the overall cost of heating your home or business.
The heating element is utilized in the majority of electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. It is usually composed of a coil, ribbon or flexible heater element or tubular element that releases heat when an electric charge passes through it. The amount of heat that is produced is contingent on the heating element employed and the method through the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you are concerned about the impact on the environment, select one that utilizes green energy sources. It could be an energy source that is renewable or a substitute for fossil fuels, like solar or wind.
The energy efficiency of electric heaters is also affected by where and how the electricity is generated. Electricity generated from a wind or solar power plant will be more efficient than electricity produced by burning fossil fuels at a power station.
You should not only choose a heater with an eco-friendly energy source, but also one that is equipped with various energy-saving features. These could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that are activated in the event of an overheated unit, or if a unit is accidentally dropped.
These security measures will safeguard your family or employees and also help reduce your energy costs by preventing excessive usage. Many portable electric heaters operate quietly, making them perfect for bedrooms, offices, and other places that require a quiet environment.
Another way in which an electric heater can save you money is by decreasing the number of maintenance calls that you will need to make. Gas heaters are more expensive to fix than electric ones and maintenance costs can be costly over the course of time. Electric models are generally cheaper to maintain, and they usually come with more advanced features that assist you in conserving energy.
Installation
Electric heaters operate on the basis of Joule energy, which converts electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. They're also extremely efficient and cost-effective compared to other types of heating systems, particularly gas. However, these units aren't suitable for every household and could put stress on the electricity system. For this reason, it's best to have an electrician professional check if the current system is able to handle the additional load of an electric wall heater before installing one.
When selecting an electric heater, you must consider a variety of aspects, including the type and size of the heater as well as the room in the space it will be placed. The type of heater you pick will determine the amount it will cost to run. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to run than space heaters or portable heaters, however they provide more uniform heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
A fan heater with an electric motor has 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 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 target temperature and will automatically shut off when the temperature you want reached. This feature can reduce the energy use and also reduce the need to keep turning the heater on and off.
Before you attempt to install an electric heater, ensure that the power is off on the breaker panel. Also, ensure that the circuit is turned 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 for it in the drywall. Use a drywall cutter to cut off the needed section. Be careful not to scratch any electrical wires or pipes.
Run a cable 14/2 of the same length and gauge as the wires that are already in use from the breaker box up to the wall opening. Remove 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 in the thermostat box labeled "load".