If certain rooms in your home aren’t sufficiently heated, an electric space heater might be just what you need to kill the chill. They are available in all price ranges and sizes, and they provide a quick solution for bringing heat to chilly rooms.Electric space heaters have greatly improved over the years, and so has their efficiency. With the many options available, it’s hard to decide what type to buy. Consider the following information, and choose an electric space heater that best meets your needs as well as your budget.
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Oil-filled Radiators
Oil-filled electric radiators are completely sealed, and they are a highly efficient and quiet way to heat a room. An internal element heats the oil and creates radiant heat that effectively warms the surrounding area.
What makes an oil-filled radiator highly efficient is the internal heating element. Once it heats the oil to a particular temperature, it automatically shuts off and progressively warms the area without the aid of a fan.
Ceramic Element Heaters
This type of space heater is also very efficient. A ceramic element heater effectively heats a room at a lower temperature than a standard electric coil heater. The ceramic element provides a larger surface that once heated, continues to warm the area.
Coil-based Convection Heaters
This type of space heater operates by electrically heating external elements covered by protective grates. A fan blows heated air through the grates and into the surrounding area. Although they aren’t typically as efficient as the abovementioned units, they do a good job of providing warmth to otherwise chilly rooms.
Reflective Halogen Heaters
Reflective halogen heaters are an excellent choice. They provide heat that feels like the natural warmth of the sun, safely, effectively, and efficiently. The light of a low-energy halogen bulb is reflected, and it provides a great deal of heat to the surrounding area.
How Many BTU’s are Necessary?
The method in which electric space heaters operate isn’t the only consideration to making a wise investment. The electricity used by space heaters is measured in BTU’s (British Thermal Units), and appliances that use more BTU’s cost more to operate. Figure out how many BTU’s are necessary to properly heat your room, and buy the unit that will provide the warmth you require without using additional electricity.
1. Figure out the square footage of your room by multiplying the length times the width.
2. Multiply this figure by the height of the ceiling. This is the cubic volume of the room.
3. If your room has six-inch walls that are well insulated, multiply the cubic volume by two.
4. If your room has thinner walls that contain an average amount of insulation, multiply the cubic volume by three.
5. If you live in a home that’s poorly insulated, multiply the cubic volume by four.
6. The product of your calculation is the approximate number of BTU’s required to adequately heat the room.
Guidelines for Safety
No matter what type of electric space heater you choose, it’s necessary to follow important safety guidelines.
– Never dry clothes over a space heater.
– Never operate it while sleeping or away from home.
– Always position the unit at least three feet away from flammable items.
– Closely supervise pets and children.
– Never use an extension cord.
– Always look for a UL (United Laboratories) mark before buying a space heater.