Electric Heater Isn't As Difficult As You Think
How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters offer a range of advantages, including a low initial cost, minimal maintenance for homeowners and an efficient way to warm your home. They are also easier to use than heating systems that require venting.
You can save money on heating costs If you have an electricity provider who provides Economy 7.
Temperature Settings
Ideally your electric heater will allow you to set the temperature you want, and then maintain that temperature without having to switch it on and off. This will cut energy usage and save you from entering an area that's too cold or leaving one that's too hot. Find a thermostat with a timer, if possible.
When selecting an electric heater, make sure that it's rated 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 ideal heater's power in watts per square foot for your space.
Also, ensure that the knobs for temperature adjustment are easy to adjust and reach. You may need remove screws or peel back insulation to reach the knobs if they are recessive. This can be a problem. Check the recommended temperature range as well for safety and efficiency. Temperatures below 120 degrees can trigger bacteria growth and increase the chance of scalding while temperatures that exceed 140 degrees can pose a fire hazard.
The Everhot is an elegant compact heater that can be used in conservatories, or as the company says: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' shelters... Glamping pods." It can reach up to 200C and is therefore an ideal choice for heating as well as cooking. It has a timer and an ECO mode, which optimizes the power and heat settings to be more energy-efficient.
It's also extremely quiet. There's no fan noise or whirring sound when you change the settings. This makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms or living rooms. It also comes with a few additional features that are useful, like a built-in nightlight which glows blue when the heater is on and a built-in humidifier that can be set to an intermittent mist mode for a more subtle effect. It's also durable and safe and comes with a tip-over shutdown switch and overheating protection that automatically shuts off the unit should it overheat. It is also UL-listed to ensure safety.
Safety
Electric heaters should be used with care. The dangers of fire from heaters and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be particularly hazardous to children, the elderly and those suffering from chronic health issues or immune system issues. Pets and children can knock the heater over which can cause injury or even death.
ESFI recommends that you check the plug and cord of your heater regularly. Look for signs of damage like damaged plugs, loose cord, or if a plug is damaged or loose. If the outlet or cord is hot, you should stop using it and call a licensed electrician to replace it. Do not connect more than one electrical device simultaneously as an example, a space heater. This can cause overload on the outlet and cause it to overheat.
It is recommended to use only heaters that are identified or labelled by a national recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These heaters are more likely to meet voluntary safety requirements. Also, do not put a heater in flame-prone surfaces, like carpets and fabrics. Keep at least a three-foot space between the heater and substances that are combustible. Also, do not place a heater in the bathroom or kitchen, and don't use it if you're in a wet state.
Always connect a heater directly to an outlet in the wall. Never use an extension cord. If you have to use an extension cord, select the shortest heavy-duty cord possible comprised of 14-gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are sagging because this could be a sign of a circuit that is overloaded.
Keep the electric space heater at least six inches from anything that could ignite. Place the space heater on an unburnable, flat surface rather than on furniture, cabinets or tables, which could overheat. Be sure to switch off and unplug the heater when you leave the room or go to sleep as it increases 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 often employed by facility managers to provide additional heat in offices and common areas when temperatures drop. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and maintain outdoor or indoor electric heaters to help make your facility as comfortable as is possible in the cold winter months. Contact us today to learn more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting an electric heater that is portable, consider its energy efficiency. This is the amount of energy needed to produce the desired output. Heating systems that require less electricity are thought to be more efficient and can help to reduce the overall cost of heating your home or business.
Most electrical heaters convert electricity into heat using an element for heating. It is usually composed of a coil, ribbon, flexible heater element, or tubular element which emits heat when an electric charge passes through it. The amount of heat generated is contingent on the heating element employed and the method by which it transmits heat (convection or radiation).
If you're concerned about the effect on the environment, choose an option that uses an environmentally-friendly form of energy. It could be a renewable source of power or a substitute for fossil fuels, like wind or solar.
Electric heaters' energy efficiency is also influenced by where and how electricity is generated. Electricity derived from a wind or solar power plant is more efficient than electricity produced by burning fossil fuels in a power station.
You should not only choose a heater with an eco-friendly energy source, but one that has various energy-saving features. These could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that activate in the event of overheating, or if a unit is accidentally tipping.
These safety measures can be helpful to safeguard your family or employees and they can also aid in reducing your energy bills by assisting you in avoiding excess usage. A lot of portable electric heater s are designed to operate quietly as well making them suitable for bedrooms, offices, and other areas which require a calm atmosphere.
Another way in which an electric heater will save you money is by cutting down on the number of maintenance calls you'll have to make. Gas heaters can be more costly to fix than electric heaters, and the cost of maintenance can be a burden over the course of time. Electric models are generally less expensive to maintain and have more advanced features to assist you in saving energy.
Installation
Electric heaters operate on the basis of Joule energy, converting electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and economical than other heating methods, including gas. These heaters are not suitable for all households and can cause strain on an existing electrical system. Therefore, it is recommended that an electrician professional check if the current system is able to handle the extra demand of an electric wall heater prior to installing one.
There are a variety of aspects to take into consideration when selecting an electric heater, including the type of heater and the space you intend to place it. The type of heater that you choose will determine the cost to operate it. An electric baseboard heater may cost more than the space heater or portable unit, but it offers more even warmth and won't require chimneys or vents.
A fan heater with an electric motor has an electric fan that creates hot air and then circulates it throughout the room. This type of electric heater is the least expensive however it can be noisy and take longer to warm up rooms.
Search for a heater that has a thermostat built in. This feature allows you set a target and the heater shuts off automatically when it reaches the desired temperature. This feature can reduce the energy use and also help you avoid having to turn the heater on and off.
Make sure to shut off the power at the breaker box and test the circuit with a tester to verify that it is turned off before you attempt to install an electric heater. Mark the location on the wall where you want to mount the heater and cut a hole in the wall. Utilize a drywall cutter to cut the required section, taking care not to cut any existing electrical pipes or wires.
Use a 14/2 cable with the same gauge as the wires already in place from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw in the outlet box, removing about 1 inch of insulation. Label or mark the wire with red tape to identify it as the "line". Connect it to the wire leads in the thermostat box, marked "load".