Do you shudder whenever you think about the coming winter? If you feel nervous about the frigid weather and can’t wait to cosy over a cup of hot cocoa, you’re in luck!
This article will walk you through the exciting features of electric heaters and the best sizes suited for your needs.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Electric heaters are a convenient choice for smaller living spaces, as they are portable, lightweight, and heat up quickly, with some models featuring fans for even faster heating.
- Various electric heaters are available, including electric radiators, infrared panels, storage heaters, and electric panel heaters, each with unique features and benefits.
- To determine the best-sized electric heater for your room, measure the square footage, consider insulation levels, and account for factors like ceiling height. Choosing a heater with the appropriate wattage based on these factors is essential to ensure efficient heating.
Benefits of Electric Heaters
An electric heater is an excellent choice if you have a smaller living space. All you need is a stable electricity connection and decent storage space, and you’re good to go.
Portable Build
The lightweight design of electric heaters makes it easy to move it from one room to another. These heaters come in compact sizes that direct heat according to your preferences.
Great at Directed Heating
Many portable electric heaters carry a feature that allows heat to get directed in a specific area of your room. You can even use the controls to ensure overall heat distribution in the room.
Tend to Spread Heat Fast
An average electric heater hardly takes up to a few minutes to heat up. Electric heaters are your best bet if you get impatient about slow heating. These heaters manage to reach their maximum temperatures in quite a short while.
Pro tip: Some electric Heaters come equipped with fans that can blow out the hot air, warming up your room quickly. When you get a portable electric heater, you will find that both fan and non-fan variants are available. Choose an electric heater with a fan if you want fast heating.
Different Types of Electric Heaters
There are a variety of electric heaters to choose from on the market. You can select a heater depending on your comfortability and the aesthetic of your household.
Electric Radiators
Electric radiators are a great choice during the chilly winter months because they stay warm long after you’ve switched them off. There are a variety of exciting designs to choose from. These heaters also supply you with quick and responsive warmth that tends to last for a long time.
Infrared Panels
One of the sleekest designs for electric heaters, infrared panels are incredibly effective. The heat emanating from these panels are radiant, allowing the walls to absorb and radiate it back into the air. The minimalist and chic design makes it worth the expense. The heating from infrared panels is comfortable, efficient and you won’t lose it to the space.
You may have to get it professionally installed if you opt for an infrared panel, owing to its novelty and contemporary design. The heater is worth the hefty sum and the slow warmth as well.
Storage Heaters
A storage heater is an inexpensive solution for your home’s heating needs. Storage heaters work by charging up heat throughout the night and releasing that retentive heat during the day. These heaters are exceptionally durable and are a good choice if you don’t want to spend much money.
Storage heaters can sometimes be a hit and miss because they tend to run out of heat at night. It’s a good choice if you work a night shift, allowing you to be toasty warm throughout the day.
Electric Panel Heaters
Electric panel heaters are great if you want to heat your room quickly. Choosing these is smart if you have guests in your household and your spare rooms need urgent heat. Electric panel heaters work relatively quickly, and their lightweight quality ensures portability.
Reasons to Buy an Electric Heater
- If your family tend to work from home, an electric heater will prove to be a significant investment.
- If you are a homeowner, you can only add so much to central heating. A growing family can’t do with added extensions.
- Installing an electric heater is a breezy affair. You can try setting it up yourself or follow a user’s manual.
How to Determine the Best Electric Heater?
Picking the correct sized electric heater can be a pain, especially if you haven’t thought it through. Here are some easy pointers that will ensure that you choose a heater according to your needs.
- You can start by measuring the total square footage of your room. Figure out the actual square footage of your room by determining its length and breadth.
- Determine your level of insulation by finding out whether you have poor, average or total insulation. Here’s a little tip:
- Poor insulation is often seen in older homes, 12.5 watts per foot.
- R-1 characterises average insulation in walls and R-19 in the ceilings, 10 watts per square foot.
- R-19 showcases full insulation in walls and R-38 in the ceiling, 7.5 watts per square foot.
- If you are planning to install an electric heater in your bathroom, ensure you use a minimum of 1000 watts.
- If your home has higher ceilings, mostly above 8 feet, make sure you increase the wattage. You can make a steady 25% increase when an additional height of two feet.
- Lastly, here’s an instance to draw from: If your room is ten by 13 feet, with average insulations and an 8-foot ceiling, you will probably require 1300 Watts.
Pro tip: Ensure that you pick the larger heater if the recommended wattage is between two sizes.
FAQs
Are Electric Heaters Expensive to Run?
Many facets come into play when determining the price of running your electric heater. Yes, electric heaters are generally more likely to be more expensive than gas. Electric heaters can be more costly because electricity tends to be pricier than gas.
Can I Dry My Washing on An Electric Heater?
As tempting as it can be to drape a few damp clothes over your portable heater, don’t do it. Drying your washing on top of an electric heater is a massive fire risk. The heater will also be less effective because it cannot gauge how much heat it must produce.
Heat Pump Source: Reliable Heating and Cooling Solutions
At Heat Pump Source, we take pride in our unwavering commitment to serving the UK with top-tier HVAC solutions. From the efficiency of heat pumps and the cool relief of air conditioning to the warmth of boilers, radiators, and underfloor heating, our dedicated team is always at the forefront of innovation. We understand the unique needs of every household and business, and we strive to provide dependable health and cooling products and services that are tailored just for you. Ensuring your comfort and satisfaction is our utmost priority. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or require support, we’re always here to assist. Please don’t hesitate to contact us; we’re eager to be of service.
Wrapping Up
Portable, versatile and efficient, electric heaters will be all the rage this season. You can warm up your home this winter by opting for the one that best suits your needs.
About the Author
At Heat Pump Source, our articles are the product of a collaborative effort among a team of highly skilled HVAC experts. Our dedicated professionals, hailing from diverse backgrounds in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, contribute their extensive knowledge and experience to every piece of content. This multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive coverage. Our commitment is to deliver authoritative, reliable, and tailored advice to meet the unique needs of every household and business across the UK.