How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters offer a range of advantages, including low initial cost, minimal maintenance for homeowners and a more efficient method to warm your home. They are also more convenient to use than heating systems that require venting.
They are particularly useful if your electricity provider offers Economy 7, as the cheaper off-peak tariff will save you money on the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
Ideally, your electric heater will enable you to set the temperature you want, and then keep that temperature constant without having to switch it off and on. This will decrease energy use and prevent you from entering an area 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 selecting an electric heater, make sure that it's rated for the space you're using it in. A heater that is too small for your space will need to run longer than is necessary to reach a desired temperature, which wastes energy and can cause the room to overheat. Utilize our calculator to determine the ideal heater's power in watts per square foot for your area.
Also, be sure the temperature adjustment knobs are easy to reach and adjust. You may have to remove screws or peel back insulation in order to access the knobs if they are recessed. This can be a challenge. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures below 120 degrees could trigger bacteria growth and increase the chance of scalding while temperatures over 140 degrees can pose a fire hazard.
The Everhot is a beautiful compact heater that can be put to use in conservatories or as the company states: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' huts... Glamping pods." It reaches 200C, making it an ideal choice for cooking as well as heating. It has a timer, and an ECO setting that optimizes power and heat settings to make it more efficient.
It's also quiet, with no fan noise and no whirring noise when you alter settings. This makes it a great choice for bedrooms or living rooms. It also has other features as well, such as 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 intermittent mist to give a more subtle effect. It's also sturdy and secure with a tip-over shutoff switch as well as an overheating protection that automatically shuts the unit off when it is overheated. It's also registered with UL for safety.
Safety
When using electric heaters, it's important to take the necessary safety precautions. Risks of fire from heaters as well as carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be particularly hazardous to people with a disability, elderly or those with chronic health issues or immune system disorders. Pets and children can knock a heater over and cause injury or even death.
ESFI recommends that you check the plug and cord of your heater regularly. Look for indications of damage, for example a cracked or loose plug or frayed cord. If the outlet or cord is hot, call an experienced electrician to replace it. Do not connect multiple electrical devices at the same time as space heaters. This could cause overload to the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It's a good idea to use heaters that have been approved or labeled by a nationally recognized test laboratory, such as UL. visit the following web site are more likely than others to comply with 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, don't put a heater near the bathroom or in the kitchen. Do not touch it if you are wet.
Also, always plug in an electric heater directly to an outlet in the wall. Do not use a power strip. If you have to connect an extension cord, choose the most compact one made with 14-gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are not sagging, because this could be a sign of a circuit that is overloaded.
Keep an electric space heater at least six inches away from anything that can burn. Place the heater on a flat, non-flammable surface, not on cabinets, furniture or tables that could overheat. Be sure to turn off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or go to sleep and leave it on to increase the chance of catching fire.
Utilizing the correct safety measures when using electric heaters can help prevent injuries and reduce the energy use. Electric heaters are commonly used by facility managers to add heat to offices and other common areas when temperatures decrease. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and maintain outdoor or indoor electric heaters to help make your facility as comfortable as it can be in the cold winter months. Contact us to learn more about heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Take into consideration the energy efficiency of the portable heater before making your choice. This is the amount of energy needed to produce the desired output. Heating systems that consume less energy are more efficient and reduce the cost of heating your home or business.
The heating element is used in most electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. This is typically made up of a ribbon, coil, flexible heater element, or tubular element that releases heat when an electric 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 the impact on the environment, select one that utilizes eco-friendly energy sources. This might be a renewable source of power or a substitute for fossil fuels, such as solar or wind.
The efficiency of an electric heater also depends on the source of electricity from and the method of generation. Electricity derived from a solar or wind power plant will be more efficient than electricity that is produced by burning fossil fuels at a power plant.
Apart from selecting a heater that uses an environmentally friendly form of energy, you should choose one with a variety of built-in energy-saving features. These could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that are activated in the event of overheating, or if a unit is accidentally tipped.
These safety measures can help to protect your employees or family members, and they could also contribute to lower energy bills by helping you avoid excess usage. Many portable electric heaters operate quietly, making them perfect for bedrooms, offices and other places where you need a peaceful atmosphere.
Another way that electric heaters will save you money is by decreasing the number of maintenance calls you'll have to make. Gas heaters are more expensive to fix than electric models, 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 use the Joule principle, which converts electrical power into radiant warmth that warms a space. They're also efficient and economical in comparison to other forms of heating, particularly gas. However, these units aren't suitable for every household and could put stress on an existing electricity system. For this reason, it's recommended to have an expert electrician verify that the current system is able to handle the extra load of an electric wall heater prior to installing one.
There are several aspects to take into consideration when selecting an electric heater, such as the type of heater you want and the room where you want to put it. The kind of heater you select will determine the price to operate it. Electric baseboard heaters are more expensive to run than portable heaters or space heaters, but they provide a more even heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
Electric fan heaters have an air compressor that circulates hot air through the room. This kind of heater is usually most economical to run, however it can be noisy and take longer to warm the room than other types of electric heaters.
Find a heater which has a thermostat built in. This feature allows you to set a temperature target and the heater shuts off automatically when it attains the temperature. This will significantly cut down on consumption of energy and keep you from constantly turning the heater on and off.
Make sure you turn off the power at the breaker box and use a circuit tester to ensure that it's off before you begin installing an electric heating unit. Next, mark the location in which you plan to install the electric heater on the wall. Once you have marked the location, cut an opening in the drywall. Utilize a drywall cutter 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 that are already in use from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Strip approximately 1 inch of insulation off the ends of each conducting wire and connect them to an available screw in the outlet box. The wire you identify as the "line" by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape. Connect it to the wire leads marked "load" in the thermostat box.