How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters provide a variety of benefits, including a lower initial cost, low maintenance for homeowners and an efficient way to warm your home. They are also easier to use than heating systems that require venting.
They are particularly useful when your electricity provider offers Economy 7, as the cheaper off-peak rate will help you save money on the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
Ideal is that your electric heater permits you to adjust and maintain the temperature you want without needing to turn it off or off. This will decrease energy use and prevent you from entering a room that's too cold or leaving one that's too hot. Find a thermostat and if possible one with timer functions.
When choosing an electric heater, be sure that it's suitable for your space. A heater that is too small for your space will need to run longer than necessary to reach a desired temperature, which wastes energy and causes the room to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the right size of heater for your space in terms of the watts per square. foot.
Also, make sure the knobs for temperature control are easy to adjust and reach. You may have to take off screws or peel back insulation to reach the knobs, if they are set in a recess. This can be a problem. Make sure you are using 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 dangerous for fire.
The Everhot is an elegant compact heater designed for use in conservatories or, as the company puts it: "annexes, holiday cottages narrow boats and shepherds' huts, as well as Glamping pods." It can reach up to 200C and is therefore an ideal heater for heating as well as cooking. It has a timer and an ECO setting which optimizes the temperature and power settings to make it more efficient.
It's also extremely quiet. There isn't any fan noise or the sound of whirring when you change the settings. This makes it a great option for bedrooms and living rooms. It comes with other features too including a built-in nightlight that turns blue in color when the heater is turned on, and a built-in humidifier that can be set to intermittent mist for a subtler effect. It is also sturdy and safe and comes with a tip over shutoff switch, as well as an overheating safety feature that will shut off the unit automatically when it is overheated. It's also UL-listed, to ensure security.
Safety
When using electric heaters, it's important to take the necessary safety precautions. Children, the elderly and those suffering from chronic illnesses or immune system issues are at a higher risk of getting poisoned from carbon monoxide and fire hazards caused by heaters. In addition, children and pets could knock over a heater, leading to injury or death.
ESFI recommends that you check the heater's plug and cord regularly. Find signs of damage, like a cracked or loose plug or a damaged cord. If the outlet or cord feels hot, stop using it and call a licensed electrician to repair it. Never connect multiple electrical devices at the same time, such as a space heater. This can overload the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It's also a good idea to only use heaters that are identified or labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These products are more likely to meet the safety standards of voluntary manufacturers. Never place a heater near flammable materials, such as rugs or fabrics. Make sure to keep a minimum distance of three feet between the heater and any combustible material. Also, do not place heaters in bathrooms or kitchen and never touch it if you're wet.
Additionally, be sure to always plug an electric heater directly into a wall outlet and not an power strip or extension cord. If you must use an extension cord, choose the shortest one that is heavy-duty and constructed 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 the electric space heater at least six inches away from anything that could cause. It's recommended to place the space heater on a flat surface instead of placing it on tables, cabinets or furniture, which can overheat and cause fire. Be sure to switch off and unplug the heater when you leave the room or go to bed as it increases the risk of catching fire.
Utilizing the correct safety measures when using electric heaters can help to avoid injuries and cut down on the energy use. Electric heaters are often used by facility managers to provide additional heat to offices and other common areas when temperatures fall. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and maintains outdoor or indoor electric heating systems to make your space as cozy during the cold winter months as you can. Contact us today for more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When you are choosing a portable electric heater take into consideration its energy efficiency. This is the amount of energy required to produce the desired output. Heating systems that require less electricity are deemed to be more efficient, and this could help reduce the total cost of heating a house or business.
The majority of electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat using an element for heating. It is made up of a ribbon, coil, flexible heater element, or tubular element that emits heat when an electric charge passes through it. The amount of heat produced depends on the type of heating element used and the method through which it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you are concerned about your environmental impacts, you should consider models that use an environmentally friendly form 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 also depends on the source of electricity from and how it is generated. Electricity derived from a wind or solar power plant will be more efficient than electricity that is generated by burning fossil fuels in a power station.
In addition to choosing a heater that uses an environmentally friendly type of energy, it is important to also select one that has an array of energy-saving features. These may include automatic shutoff mechanisms that activate in the event of a heater overheating or if the unit is accidentally tipped.
These safety measures can help to protect your family or employees and they could also aid in reducing your energy bills by assisting you in avoiding excessive use. Many portable electric heaters operate quietly, making them perfect for offices, bedrooms and other areas that require a calm environment.
Electric heaters can also save you money by reducing maintenance calls. Gas heaters are more costly to repair than electric models, and the cost of maintenance could be a burden over the course of time. Electric models are generally cheaper to maintain, and often come with more advanced features that can help you to conserve energy.
Installation
Electric heaters use the Joule principle that converts electrical energy into radiant warmth that warms a room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and cost-effective than other heating methods, particularly gas. They aren't suitable for all households and may overburden an existing electric system. This is why it's recommended to have a professional electrician check whether the current system is able to handle the extra demand of an electric wall heater before installing one.
When choosing an electric heater you need to consider several factors, including the type and size of the heater as well as the space in which it will be placed. The type of heater you choose will determine the price to run it. An electric baseboard heater can cost more to run than a space heater or a portable unit however it provides more consistent warmth and doesn't require any vents or chimneys.
Electric fan heaters have an air blower that circulates hot air through the room. This kind of heater is usually most affordable to run, however it can be noisy and takes longer to heat rooms than other kinds of electric heaters.
Look for a space heater with an integrated thermostat. This feature allows you to set a temperature target and shuts off automatically when the desired temperature is reached. This can significantly reduce your energy usage and save you from having to turn the heater on and off.
Before attempting to install an electric heater, ensure that the power is off at the breaker panel. Also, confirm that the circuit is shut off using a test device. Next, mark why not try here where you intend to mount the electric heater on the wall and cut an opening in the drywall. Use a drywall cutter to remove the required section. Be careful not to cut 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. Strip approximately 1 inch of insulation off the ends of each conducting wire and connect them to an available screw in the outlet box. Label or mark this wire with red tape to identify it as the "line". Connect it to the wire leads in the thermostat box marked "load".