The 10 Most Scariest Things About Electric Heater
How to Select Electric Heaters
Electric heaters have a wide range of benefits, including a lower initial cost, low maintenance for homeowners, and a cost-effective method to heat your home. They are also more convenient to use than heating systems which require venting.
You can save money on heating costs if you are a customer of an electricity company that offers Economy 7.
Temperature Settings
Ideally, your electric heater will enable you to set the temperature you want, and then maintain that temperature without the need to switch it on and off. This will cut energy usage and help you avoid entering a room that's too cold or leaving one that's too hot. Look for a thermostat, and if possible one with an alarm function.
When choosing an electric heater, be sure it's rated for your space. A heater that's too small will need to run for longer in order to reach the temperature you want. This can waste energy and can cause your room to overheat. Utilize our calculator to determine the optimal heater size in watts per square foot for your area.
Also, ensure that the knobs for temperature control are easy to adjust and reach. It is possible to remove screws or remove insulation to reach the knobs, if they are set in a recess. This can be a challenge. Make sure you are using the recommended temperature range for safety and efficiency. Temperatures below 120 degrees can lead to bacteria growth and increase the chance of scalding and temperatures higher than 140 degrees may be an hazard to fire.
The Everhot is a stylish, compact heater that can be utilized in conservatories, or as the company states: "annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' shelters... glamping pods." It can reach temperatures of up to 200C, making it an ideal heater to heat as well as cooking. It has a timer and an ECO mode, which optimizes power and heat settings to be more energy-efficient.
It's also extremely quiet. There isn't any fan noise or whirring sound when you change the settings. This makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms and living rooms. It comes with other features as well including a built-in nightlight that glows a blue color when the heater is turned on, as well as an integrated humidifier that can be set to intermittent mist to create a more subtle effect. It's also safe and sturdy with a tip-over shutoff switch as well as a protection against overheating that automatically shuts off the unit in the event of overheating. It's also registered with 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 are especially dangerous to people with a disability, elderly or those suffering from chronic health issues or immune system issues. In addition, children and pets can knock over a heater, which can lead to injury or death.
ESFI recommends checking the plug and cord of your heater on a regular basis. Look for indications of damage, such as a cracked or loose plug or a frayed cord. If the cord or outlet is hot, consult an electrician who is certified to repair it. Don't connect more than one electrical device simultaneously 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 have been listed or labelled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, like UL. These heaters are more likely to comply with voluntary safety standards. Never place a heater near material that is flammable, such as carpets or textiles. Maintain a minimum of three feet between the heater and combustible material. Also, do not place heaters in bathrooms or kitchen and do not touch it if you're wet.
Additionally, be certain to plug the heater directly into a wall outlet and not an extension cord or power strip. If you must use an extension cord, select the shortest one that is heavy-duty and that is made of 14 gauge wire. Also, check for any loose outlets, which could be an indication of a circuit that is overloaded.
Keep an electric space heater at least six inches from anything that could cause. Place the space heater on an unburnable, flat surface, not on furniture, cabinets or tables that could overheat. Lastly, be sure to turn off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or retire to bed; leaving it on increases the risk of catching fire.
Electric heaters are a great method to cut down on energy consumption and prevent injuries. Electric heaters are often employed by facility managers to add heat to offices and other common areas when temperatures drop. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and services indoor or outdoor electric heating systems to make your facility as comfortable in the cold winter months as you can. Contact us today to learn more about our heating solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Consider the energy efficiency of a portable heater prior to making your choice. This refers to the amount of power required to generate the desired heat output. Heating systems that require less energy are more efficient and can lower the cost of heating your home or business.
The heating element is used in a majority of electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. It is made up of a coil, ribbon or flexible heater element or tubular element that emits heat when an electric charge passes through it. The amount of heat produced is dependent on the type and method of heating element (convection, radiation).
If you're concerned about the effect on the environment, select a model which uses an environmentally-friendly form of energy. This could be a renewable energy source or alternative to fossil fuels like solar or wind.
The efficiency of an electric heater also depends on the source of electricity from and the method of generation. Electricity that is sourced from a solar or wind power plant is more efficient than electricity that is generated by burning fossil fuels at a power station.
Apart from selecting a heater that uses an eco-friendly form of energy, you should choose one with a variety of built-in energy-saving features. These features could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that activate in the event of overheating or if a heater is accidentally tipping.
These safety measures will protect your family members or employees, and will also help you reduce your energy costs by preventing excessive use. Many portable electric heaters work quietly, making them perfect for offices, bedrooms and other places that require a calm environment.
Another way that an electric heater will save you money is by reducing the number of maintenance calls that you will need to make. Gas units can be more expensive to fix than an electric model and the expense of maintenance could add up over time. Electric models are generally cheaper to maintain, and they usually have advanced features that help you to conserve energy.
Installation
Electric heaters work by utilizing Joule energy, converting electricity into radiant heat that warms the room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and cost-effective than other heating methods, including gas. They aren't suitable for every household and could strain an existing electricity system. It is crucial to have an electrician examine the system prior to installing an electric wall heater.
There are several factors to consider when choosing an electric heater, such as the type of heater you want and the space you intend to place it. realistic electric stove fire of heater that you choose will determine the cost to operate it. An electric baseboard heater may cost more than an electric space heater or a portable heater however, it will provide more consistent warmth and doesn't require any vents or chimneys.
Electric fan heaters have an air compressor that circulates hot air in the room. This kind of heater is usually most economical to run, however it can be noisy and take longer to heat a room than other types of electric heaters.
Search for a heater that has a thermostat built in. This feature lets you set a temperature goal and shuts off automatically when the temperature you want reached. This will significantly cut down on consumption of energy and keep you from constantly turning the heater on and off.
Before you attempt to install an electric heater, make sure that the power is turned off at the breaker panel and verify that the circuit is off by using a tester. Then, mark the spot where you'll be mounting the electric heater on the wall and cut an opening in the drywall. Use a drywall cutting tool to cut off the needed section. Be careful not to cut any electrical wires or pipes.
Use a 14/2 cable that is the same gauge as the wires already in place from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw available in the outlet box by 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 inside the thermostat box labeled "load".