In many areas heaters are a necessity during winter. With a wide range of electric heating devices the fist-time customer may be confused which device is right for their needs. The article is a short guide to different types of heaters and situations in which they are best for.
Specialists claim that all electric heaters can boast of 100 per cent efficiency which means they turn all the energy received from an electrical point into heat. The main difference lies in the way heat is distributed in the room so there are column, fan, convection, storage, radiant heaters and heat pumps. Column heaters are filled with oil which is heated with electricity. Hot oil heats the casing of the electric heating device and the air which circulates inside the columns. It's better to place column heaters in the room where they are supposed to be for a long period of time.
Convection heaters feature heating elements which heat cold air passing over them. These heaters are created to generate background warmth as they heat the air near the casing or the elements. Warm air is then distributed by the principle of convection. Some models come with fans for faster warm-up and greater heat generation. Fans blow heated air away from the device spreading it around the room. Fan heaters supply heat instantly but these electric heating devices are more efficient in smaller areas. They are available as flat and upright models which can fit different types of spaces. Popular types of convection heaters have heating elements in the bottom part and front grilles to let the hot air out. There are also panel heaters which are basically wall-mounted convection heaters providing background warmth. Night-storage heaters are also installed permanently. These devices are designed to consume off-peak electricity, usually at night when it's supplied at low rates. They have storage tanks for storing heat till the day time when it's slowly released. This option is more suitable for living areas where people spend most of their time.
Radiant heaters are placed on the floor as they distribute heat directly onto the person heating only the nearby area. The main benefit of these heaters is quick heat generation but it's better to use them in smaller areas. Large rooms need a more effective heating solution such as heat pumps. Heat pumps are electric heating devices designed to collect heat outside the house and blow it inside. According to specialists, these heaters are low to run because they consume less energy than collect. Depending on the weather, these heaters can prove to be an efficient solution for heating large areas.
Large living areas such as lounges need devices which generate background warmth so customers can go for heat pumps and convection heaters. If it's required to heat specific areas of the room one can put portable fan-assisted and radiant heaters there. When it comes to bedrooms, it may be necessary just to keep cold air out so column and panel heaters supplied with temperature regulators can be a good option. The outlined electric heating options may give customers an idea of what heater is right for them.
