Holmes HCH4953-U Ultra–Quiet Dual Ceramic Heater

The difference in an all-electric and a ceramic heater is in the heating element. Heat in an all-electric heater goes through an electrical resistor which changes electricity into heat. It loses about 65% of its heat through this process. With a ceramic heater, the heat is transferred to a ceramic heating element and more of the heat is saved. Ceramic heaters only lose about 15% of the heat in the process. The Holmes HCH4953-U Ultra–Quiet Dual Ceramic Heater weighs less than 6 pounds and is only about 15 inches tall. A fan forces heat through two ceramic heating elements in a tower-like construction. 

According to many customers who left a review where they purchased the Holmes HCH4953-U Ultra–Quiet Dual Ceramic Heater, one of the very few things they didn’t like was the thermostat because it is in 5 degree increments. According to these reviews, this makes the thermostat more difficult to control the temperature, but the heater works well in small rooms. According to some consumers who had purchased the Holmes, and also the Honeywell HZ-338 Digital Oscillating Ceramic Heater, the thermostat on the Honeywell sets the temperature of the room better than the Holmes HCH4953-U Ultra–Quiet Dual Ceramic Heater because the digital thermostat on the Honeywell can be set in degree increments, however, many of the consumers stated that the Honeywell was not nearly as quiet as the Holmes model. 

The Lasko 751320 Ceramic Tower Heater is similar to the Holmes but comes with a remote control. It is about 8 inches taller than the Holmes HCH4953-U Ultra–Quiet Dual Ceramic Heater and weighs around 7 pounds. Whereas the Holmes HCH4953-U Ultra–Quiet Dual Ceramic Heater has a 5 year limited warranty, the Lasko has only a 3 year warranty. The Honeywell also has a 3 year limited warranty. All three models have a low and high heat setting, using from 750 to 1500 watts. This makes them ideal for heating small areas. All of these models run between $40 to $60.00 in price, with the Holmes being at the low end of the price range.

Of course, the more functions a ceramic heater has, the greater the price range. For example, Delonghi makes a 24-inch ceramic tower heater, model # TCH7090ER, for a cost range from $55 to $105. The Delonghi has a unique feature, the eco-energy function. After the user places the desired temperature in the unit by way of the remote, the unit uses the temperature in the room to electronically determine the desired temperature. According to many of the consumers who left reviews of the unit, this feature makes it more energy efficient. There is also an antifreeze setting that will turn the heater on if the temperature in the room gets to 44 degrees. 

Almost all manufacturers of ceramic heaters make them available with digital controls, particularly digital thermostats. For example, the Lasko 760000, though not a tower heater, has a digital thermostat and also boasts of a Fresh Air Ionizer. It is around the $100.00 price range. Also in the same price range is the Stadler Form A-020 Anna Ceramic Space Heater that has a dust cleaner to help clean the air as the heat is circulated. 

In addition, the more heating elements there are in a heater, the more expensive the heater may be. For example, for almost twice as much money as the Holmes HCH4953-U Ultra–Quiet Dual Ceramic Heater, the Pelonis B-6A1 Ceramic Space Heater, though not of a tower configuration, features a 4 disc heating arrangement and an automatic temperature adjustment. It is capable of heating a larger area. It is also interesting to note that the Pelonis only carries a one-year limited warranty.

When purchasing a ceramic heater, what has to be taken into consideration is the size of the room being heated. Most of these portable ceramic heaters do well in small rooms, such as bathrooms and even small bedrooms, but are not as effective in rooms greater than 150 sf. Perhaps the Holmes HCH4953-U Ultra–Quiet Dual Ceramic Heater, although it does not have a digital thermostat may be the best buy in lieu of the fact that many of the reviews of the people who purchased this heater stated that it heated small areas well and was a good choice for the price.