How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters offer a variety of advantages they offer, including lower initial costs, low maintenance by the homeowner, and efficient heating. They are also more convenient to use than heating systems which require venting.
They are particularly useful if your electricity provider offers Economy 7 as the lower off-peak tariff can reduce the cost of heating.
Temperature Settings
The ideal situation is that your electric heater lets you to set and maintain the temperature you desire without having to turn it on or off. This will decrease energy use and save you from entering a room that's too cold or leaving one that's too hot. Look for a thermostat, and if possible one with a timer function.
When you are choosing an electric heater, be sure it's rated for your space. A heater that's too small for your space will have to run longer than necessary to reach the desired temperature, which wastes energy and causes the room to overheat. Utilize our calculator to determine the optimal heater's watts per square foot for your space.
Also, make sure that the temperature adjustment knobs are easy to reach and adjust. If the knobs are recessed, you might have to remove screws and remove insulation to access the knobs, which can be difficult. It's also important to check the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures below 120 degrees can lead to bacteria growth and increase the chance of scalding while temperatures that exceed 140 degrees may be an hazard to fire.
The Everhot is a sleek compact heater that is that is designed to be used in conservatories or, as the company puts it: "annexes, holiday cottages narrow boats and shepherds' huts, as well as camping pods." It can reach 200C, making it an ideal option for cooking and heating. It has a timer as well as an ECO mode, which optimizes the power and heat settings to be more energy-efficient.
It's also quiet and silent, with no fan sound and no whirring sound when you change the settings. This makes it a great option for bedrooms and living rooms. It also comes with a few other convenient features, including an inbuilt nightlight that turns blue when the heater is on and a built-in humidifier which can be switched to an intermittent mist setting to provide a more subtle effect. It's also durable and safe with a tip-over shutoff switch, as well as an overheating protection which will shut off the unit automatically in the event of overheating. It's also certified by UL for safety.
Safety
When using electric heaters, you must to take the appropriate safety precautions. Fire hazards from heaters and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be particularly dangerous for people with a disability, elderly or those with chronic health issues or immune system disorders. Children and pets may knock over a heater, leading to injury or even death.
ESFI recommends that you check the heater's plug and cord on a regular basis. Find indications of damage, like a cracked or loose plug or a damaged cord. If electric heater stove or cord is hot, call a qualified electrical contractor to replace it. Never connect multiple electrical devices at the same time, such as a space heater. This could cause overload to the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It's a good idea also to choose heaters that are listed or labelled by a nationally recognized test laboratory, such as UL. These heaters are more likely to be in compliance with the safety standards of voluntary manufacturers. Never place a heater near flame-prone materials, like rugs or fabrics. Make sure to keep a minimum distance of three feet between the heater and the combustible material. Also, do not place heaters in the bathroom or in the kitchen. Don't touch it when you are wet.
Also, make sure to connect the heater directly to an outlet in the wall. Do not use the power strip. If you have to use an extension cord, make sure you choose the shortest heavy-duty cord possible made of 14-gauge wire. Look for outlets that are sagging as this could indicate a circuit that is overloaded.
Keep the electric space heater at least six inches away from anything that could cause. It's also a good idea to place the space heater on an even surface instead of placing it on cabinets, tables or furniture, which can cause fire if it overheats. Last but not least, unplug and switch off the heater prior to leaving the room.
Electric heaters are an excellent method to cut down on energy consumption and avoid injuries. As temperatures drop, facilities managers frequently turn to electric heaters to provide warmth in offices and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and services indoor or outdoor electric heating systems to make your facility as cozy during the cold winter months as you can. Contact us to learn more about heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Take into consideration the energy efficiency of a portable heater when making your choice. This is the amount of power required to produce the desired amount of heat. Heaters that use less electricity are considered more efficient, and this could help reduce the overall cost of heating a house or business.
Most electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat by using a heating element. 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 produced depends on the kind and method of heating element (convection, radiation).
If you're concerned about the effect on the environment, select a model which uses green energy sources. This could be a renewable energy source or alternative to fossil fuels, such as solar or wind.
The energy efficiency of electric heaters is also affected by where and how the electricity is generated. Electricity derived from solar or wind power plants will be more efficient that electricity derived from fossil fuels found in power stations.
You should not only choose a heater that is an eco-friendly energy source, but also one that comes with a number of energy-saving features. These may include automatic shutoff mechanisms that activate in the event of overheating or if the unit is accidentally dropped.
These safety measures will protect your employees or family and can also help you save money on energy bills by preventing excessive usage. Many portable electric heaters work quietly, making them perfect for bedrooms, offices and other places that require a quiet atmosphere.
Another way in which an electric heater will save you money is by cutting down on the number of maintenance calls that you'll have to make. Gas units can be more costly to repair than electric heaters, and the cost of maintenance could increase over time. Electric models are generally cheaper to maintain, and they usually come with more advanced features that can assist you in conserving energy.
Installation
Electric heaters work on the basis of Joule energy, converting electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. They're also efficient and cost-effective in comparison to other forms of heating, especially gas. However, they aren't suitable for every household and can put a strain on the electricity system. This is why it's best to have an electrician professional check if 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 account when choosing an electric heater, including the type of heater you choose and the room where you want to place it. The type of heater you pick will determine how much it will cost to run. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to run than space heaters or portable heaters, but they offer an even heat and don't require vents or chimneys.
Electric fan heaters feature a blower which circulates hot air through the room. This kind of electric heater is the cheapest but it can also be noisy and takes a longer time to warm rooms.
Look for an electric space heater that has a built-in thermostat. This feature allows you to set a temperature target and the heater will turn off automatically when it reaches the desired temperature. This feature can help reduce your energy consumption and help you avoid having to keep turning the heater on and of.
Before you attempt to install an electric heater, make sure that the power is turned off on the breaker panel. You can also verify that the circuit is turned off using a test device. Next, mark the area where you intend to mount the electric heater on the wall. Then, cut a hole in the drywall. Use a drywall cutter to cut off the needed section. Be careful not to scratch any electrical pipes or wires.
Connect a 14/2 wire with the same gauge as the existing wires from the panel for the breaker to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw in the outlet box by removing about 1 inch of insulation. 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".