10 Wrong Answers To Common Electric Heater Questions Do You Know The Correct Ones?
How to Select Electric Heaters Electric heaters offer a variety of advantages that include low initial costs, little maintenance by the homeowner, and efficient heating. They're also more convenient than heating systems that require venting. You can save money on heating costs If you have an electricity provider that provides Economy 7. Temperature Settings Ideally the electric heater should enable you to set the temperature you like, then keep that temperature constant without having to switch it off and on. This will decrease energy use and save you from entering the wrong room or leaving one that's too hot. You should look for a thermostat and if you can, one with timer functions. When you are choosing an electric heater, make sure it is rated for the space you have. If the heater isn't big enough for your space will have to run longer than necessary to reach a desired temperature, which wastes energy and causes the room to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the perfect size heater for your room in terms of the watts per square. foot. Also, be sure the temperature control knobs are accessible and adjust. You may need to remove screws or peel back insulation in order to reach the knobs if they are recessive. This can be a hassle. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range for safety and efficiency reasons. Temperatures lower than 120 degrees could cause the growth of bacteria and increase the risk for the possibility of scalding. When temperatures exceed 140 degrees could be an hazard to fire. The Everhot is an elegant compact heater that is specifically designed for conservatories or, as the company describes it: “annexes, holiday cottages, narrow boats and shepherds' huts as well as glamping pods.” It can reach temperatures of 200C, making it a decent option for cooking and heating. It comes with a timer as well as an ECO mode that optimizes heat and power settings to be more energy-efficient. It's also quiet and quiet, with no fan noise and no whirring noise when you change the settings. This makes it a great option for bedrooms or living rooms. It also has other features too including a built in nightlight that glows a blue color when the heater is on, and a built-in humidifier that can be set to emit intermittent mists for a subtler effect. black electric stove fire fireplacesandstove is also sturdy and secure with a tip-over shutoff switch as well as an overheating protection that will shut off the unit automatically if it overheats. It is also UL-listed to ensure security. Safety Electric heaters should be used with caution. Risks of fire from heaters as well as carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be especially dangerous to children, elderly people and those with chronic health issues or immune system issues. In addition, children and pets could knock over a heater, leading to injury or even death. ESFI recommends checking a heater's cord, plug and outlet periodically. Find signs of damage such as damaged plugs, loose cord or if the plug is loose or cracked. If the outlet or cord is hot, call an experienced electrician to repair it. Do not plug in multiple electrical devices at the same time, such as an example, a space heater. This can overload the outlet and cause it to overheat. It's a good idea to select heaters that have been approved or labeled by a nationally recognized test laboratory, such as UL. These heaters are more likely than other models to meet the voluntary safety requirements. Do not place a heater in proximity to flame-prone materials, like rugs or fabrics. Keep a minimum of three feet between the heater and any combustible material. Additionally, do not put heaters in bathrooms or kitchen and do not use it if you're in a wet state. Also, make sure to connect an electric heater directly into a wall outlet not an extension cord or power strip. If you must use an extension cord, select the shortest heavy-duty cord possible constructed of 14 gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are sagging since this could indicate an overloaded circuit. If you're using an electric space heater in an open area make sure to keep it at least six inches from anything that could burn. Place the heater on a flat, non-flammable surface, not on furniture, cabinets or tables, which could overheat. Lastly, be sure to turn off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or go to bed; leaving it on increases the chance of fire. Taking the proper safety measures when using electric heaters can help prevent injuries and reduce the energy use. As temperatures drop, facilities managers often turn to electric heaters to add warmth in office areas and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions can install and maintain outdoor or indoor electric heaters to help make your facility as comfortable as possible during the cold winter months. Contact us to learn more about heating solutions. Energy Efficiency Think about the energy efficiency of the portable heater before making your decision. This is the amount of electricity needed to produce the desired heat output. Heating systems that require less electricity are thought to be more efficient, and this will help lower the total cost of heating a house or business. The majority of electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat by using the heating element. This is typically made up of a ribbon, coil or flexible heater element or tubular element that emits heat when an electric current passes through it. The amount of heat produced is contingent on the heating element and the method used by the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation). If you are concerned about your environmental impacts, you should consider an option that utilizes an environmentally friendly type of energy. This might be a renewable source of power or a substitute for fossil fuels, such as wind or solar. The efficiency of an electric heater also varies on the source of electricity from and the method of generation. Electricity generated from wind or solar power plants will be more efficient that electricity generated from fossil fuels in the power plant. You shouldn't just pick the heater that has an environmentally friendly energy source, but also one that has various energy-saving features. This could include automatic shut-off mechanisms in the event of overheating or in the event that the unit is accidentally tilted over. These safety measures will protect your family members or employees, and will also help you save money on energy bills by preventing excessive usage. A majority of portable electric heaters operate quietly, making them ideal for bedrooms, offices, and other places that require a quiet environment. Electric heaters can also save money by reducing maintenance calls. Gas units can be more costly to fix than electric heaters, and the expense of maintenance could add up over time. Electric models are generally less expensive to maintain and include more advanced features that assist you in saving energy. Installation Electric heaters work on the principle of Joule energy, converting electricity into radiant heat that warms the room. They're also extremely efficient and affordable when compared to other types of heating, especially gas. However, these units aren't suitable for every household and can put pressure on the electricity system. This is why it's best to have a professional electrician check whether the current system can handle the extra load of an electric wall heater before installing one. When selecting an electric heater, you should consider several aspects, such as the size and type of the heater as well as the room in the room it will be installed. The kind of heater you pick will determine the amount it costs to operate. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to operate than portable heaters or space heaters, but they offer a more even heat and don't require vents or chimneys. An electric fan heater has a blower that creates hot air and then circulates it throughout the room. This kind of heater is usually cheapest to run, but it can be loud and takes longer to heat a room than other types of electric heaters. Choose a space heater with a built-in thermostat. This feature lets you set a target and the heater shuts off automatically when it gets to the desired temperature. This will significantly cut down on energy usage and save you from having to turn the heater on and off. Before installing an electric heater, be sure that the power is off at the breaker panel and ensure that the circuit is turned off by using a tester. Next, mark the area where you intend to mount the electric heater on the wall. Then, cut an opening for it in the drywall. Use a drywall saw to cut the required section, being careful not to cut any electrical pipes or wires. Use a cable 14/2 of the same gauge and length as the wires that are already in use from the breaker panel up to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw available in the outlet box, removing about 1 inch of insulation. The wire you identify as the “line” by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape, and connect it to the wire leads marked “load” in the thermostat box.