Toasty Heaters

Advantages of Space Heaters

There are many different kinds of space heaters, and each kind has its own benefits and disadvantages. That being said, there are some distinct advantages to space heaters as a general category. When used properly, space heaters can lower electricity, save money, and most importantly, provide heat.

Many Options Available

There are many kinds of space heaters available, which means that there is sure to be a space heater for everyone's specific needs. Space heaters can be radiant heaters, which heat objects and people, but not the surrounding air, or convection heaters, which warm the air. Some models are cheaper at the offset, whereas other cost very little to run. When considering the advantages of space heaters, one of the biggest bonuses is the amount of variety available for purchase.

Price

One of the most noticeable advantages of space heaters is that they are very cheap to purchase. Unlike the cost of installing a new furnace or central heater, space heaters are very affordable. In fact, space heaters are one of the most affordable kinds of home appliances available. Before purchasing a cheap model, however, be aware that the cheapest space heaters are often the most expensive to run. If you consider one of the most attractive advantages of space heaters to be their price, it may be wise to calculate the long term costs of different heaters.

Using a Space Heater to Reduce Bills

A space heater costs electricity to run, which leaves many consumers complaining about the sharp increase in their electricity bill. However, when used properly, one of the advantages of space heaters is that they can actually reduce the overall cost of the energy bill. For best results, leave the thermostat on a few degrees colder than normal. Every time the thermostat is cut down a degree, the energy bill will get lowered by about 3%. To make sure the house is still warm in spite of the cost cutting, use space heaters in the coldest locations to supplement the main heating system.

Portability

One of the advantages of space heaters is that they are portable and can be moved around quite easily. Unlike a central furnace, which heats up the entire house all the time, a space heater can be turned on only when that particular room is in use. Purchasing a multitude of different space heaters is an unnecessary expense. Instead, consider purchasing only a few and moving them from room to room as needed.

Warm Up Quickly

When a central furnace is turned on, it's takes a while until the effects are noticed and the house begins to feel warmer. With most space heaters, it is only a matter of minutes until the room is noticeably warmer and more comfortable. Because of this, the heater does not need to be set in advance or scheduled to go on at a certain time. Simply turn the heater on when the room is needed, and enjoy the instant warmth.

Many people prefer to use central heat because it is easy to use; you can just turn it on and forget about it. However, because the central furnace heats the entire house all the time, it is often costly to use. Instead, consider purchasing a space heater. The space heater can be used on its own or to supplement a central furnace. In both cases, the advantages of space heaters mean a lower energy bill and overall savings.

Electric Heater Prices

As the price of fossil fuel rises, it has become less and less practical to heat homes using natural gas, propane, and other traditional heating methods. In light of this situation, many people have begun to investigate electric heater prices, supplementing their primary heating source with a space heater or two.

Types of Heater

There are several types of portable electric heaters available on the market today. Electric heater prices tend to vary depending upon both the manufacturer and type of heating method being used, so be sure to research the specific type of unit you wish to buy when comparison shopping. Oil-filled heaters are silent and relatively safe, but can leak and stain carpets or hardwood floors; on the other hand, ceramic heating elements often incorporate a fan component to disperse heat, but can be loud and irritating to run. Convection and ceramic plate heaters are also available.

Features to Look For

When buying a space heater, it is important to investigate product features as well as electric heater prices. A good heater will include a warranty of at least 1 year, and should include several safety features including an auto-shutoff function to avoid overheating. If you have children and/or pets, look for a unit with a low surface heat; these produce most of their heat output internally, and remain lukewarm to the touch - so no burns or accidents! Some heaters may feature thermostat timers, allowing you to safely run the unit during the night.

Hazards to Avoid

When shopping for electric space heaters, try to choose a company with a good customer service record. Many manufacturers offer cheap electric heater prices but don't produce quality units, or respond well to warranty inquiries when the heaters malfunction. Anything without an auto-shutoff feature should be avoided - and don't fall prey to advertising jargon such as that used by the manufacturers of EdenPure products! 1500 watts is 1500 watts, and will heat your house equally well regardless of how it is produced.

Is Electricity an Efficient Heat Source?

The answer to this question in the past has been no. Because electricity is generated by coal and other types of fossil fuel plants, which can convert only 30% of the raw energy into electricity, electric heater prices and efficiency have simply never been top-notch. However, as solar, wind, and other renewable sources of electricity becomes available, the cost of electric heating may fall significantly. Already people are finding that a space heater can save them money during the winter months when used as a supplementary heat source! It may be that in the future electric heater prices will be a much better investment overall.

If you are looking for a way to save on heating costs, an electric space heater can be a great choice! That said, be sure to do your research before deciding upon a model - not all heaters are created equal, after all.

Home Heater Warranties

When people purchase a new product, they expect it be covered by a warranty. A warranty protects the buyer for a certain amount of time in case the product malfunctions or has defects. Warranties usually do not cover normal wear and tear or abuse of the product. Here is what a consumer should know about home heater warranties.

Limited Warranty

Home heaters warranties are usually limited, which means they are not a full warranties and only last for a specified amount of time. Additionally, it imposes certain limitation on what is covered. For instance, the warranty may replace parts if they malfunction, or if they are defected; however limited warranties may not cover labor costs. Additionally, a limited warranty does not cover normal wear and tear of the product, nor does it cover abuse of the product.

Full Warranty

Most home heaters do not come with a full warranty. A full warranty is one that completely covers the repair or replacement of any defect in a product. Also, a full refund will be offered if the product can not be repaired. In addition, the warranty covers anyone who owns the product during the warranty period, and there is no limit on the duration of the warranty. Usually, home heaters are not covered by full warranties because they are usually small and relatively inexpensive, and it would not be feasible for the manufacturer to offer this type of warranty on the product.

Extended Warranty

Home heater warranties are usually only effective between one and three years; therefore, consumers can elect to purchase an extended warranty. An extended warranty may be called a service agreement, a service contract, or a maintenance agreement. It extends the time the product is covered. An extended warranty may be offered by the retailer or the manufacturer; however, the consumer has to purchase this warranty.

A Home Warranty

Although most home heater warranties are limited. A home warranty may cover the heater. A home warranty is considered to be a service contract that is renewable, which covers the repair or replacement of certain covered items within a home. A small inexpensive home heater would generally not be covered under a home warranty, but a larger more expensive one may be covered. It might be necessary to call your home warranty coverage provider and ask for the heater to be included on the policy.

Benefits of a Warranty

When a consumer purchases a product, they expect the company to have some type of warranty on it.

Even though home heater warranties are limited, they are important because it gives the consumer peace of mind for at least a short time. When an item is purchased with a limited warranty, the consumer doesn't have to worry about paying to replace the item if it breaks during that warranty period.

Warranties are very important because they give consumers peace of mind knowing that if the product is defective or malfunctions, they are covered. Home heater warranties are limited because they are relatively inexpensive; however, for added security a consumer may purchase an extended warranty.

Portable Heater Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a phrase that has been tossed around frequently, and there is some confusion as to its meaning. All resistance-based electric portable heaters are 100% efficient because almost all of the electricity input produces heat. However, it would be prohibitively expensive and inefficient to heat an entire house using only portable heaters.

What You Can Do

Lowering your primary heating system's thermostat by 5 degrees and making use of portable heater energy efficiency in rooms that are used most often can lower your heating cost by 10%. This will also eliminate 800 pounds of C02 emissions from the environment. These units can help heat your home's environment for a fraction of the amount it costs to run the primary system. However, selecting the right portable heater for you and your home's needs is crucial to ensure you receive the maximum amount of energy-savings

First Things First

Before considering portable heater energy efficiency or investing in a portable heater; it's best to conduct a little research. A thorough energy audit should be performed on your home and its heating system. Figure out where you are losing heat, and other energy-wasting issues that may be affecting your energy costs and consumption. Next, address any flaws the energy audit uncovered. Install weather-stripping around doors and windows, and be sure they are well-caulked. Also, be sure to replace or clean your furnace's air filter regularly.

Portable Electric Heaters

These heaters are some of the most energy efficient choices for portable heaters. Additionally, these units are affordable, convenient, and lightweight enough to be easily transported from one room to another, which results in even more increased savings. Electric heaters provide the utmost in portable heater energy efficiency, and are the most commonly used, so there is a wide variety of designs, sizes, features, and prices available. These units offer one of the best options for quiet and consistent heating, and most of the newer models include such features as automatic temperature control.

Think Effective Rather Than Efficient

When it comes to portable heater energy efficiency, most electric heaters are 100% energy efficient. Instead of looking for an electric heater that is energy efficient; the best approach is to select the one that best suits your needs. The following is a good formula to determine the actual cost of running an electric portable heater: (Wattage / 1,000) x the average cost of electricity per kilowatt hour (kWh) x hours used = Cost. For example, the high setting for a large heater is 1,500 watts. Using this figure and 12 cents for the average cost of electricity, the formula would be :(1,500 watts / 1,000 = 1.5) x 0.12 kWh x 12 hours = $2.16 per day.

Other Factors to Consider

Other variables must be taken into consideration when determining portable heater energy efficiency, and whether these heaters are a good option for your energy needs. These variables include the size of your home, the amount and type of insulation in the home, and the age and energy efficiency of your primary heating system. Additionally, the amount of time spent in different rooms can have an effect on how much can be saved. For example, if you spend most of your time in one area of the home, turning down the furnace thermostat and using a portable heater may result in some substantial energy savings.

Overall, these heaters allow heating of particular rooms or areas without raising the temperature of the rest of the house, and they can provide an efficient alternative to older or less effective systems. However, their advantages must be carefully weighed against a variety of factors to determine if they will truly be cost effective.

Disadvantages of Room Heaters

There are many great reasons to buy a room heater, but there are a number of important disadvantages of room heaters as well. Most of these disadvantages of room heaters are related to the fact that room heaters require a lot of energy to use. For example, room heaters can increase energy bills and they can be bad for the environment. In addition, room heaters can get dangerously hot, making them a fire hazard.

Efficiency

Technically speaking, efficiency is a measure of how much energy is lost to the surrounding environment when an appliance is used. According to that definition, room heaters are perfectly efficient, as no energy is lost during the heating process. However, this does not provide an accurate measure of how well a heater works. Many room heaters act in an inefficient manner, in the sense that they absorb a large amount of energy relative to the actual work that is being done. In other words, it can take a lot of energy to produce a small amount of heat.

Energy Consumption

Some kinds of room heaters consume more energy than others, but all room heaters use a lot of energy. This means that the energy bill often goes up significantly when a room heater is used, especially if the heater is not used properly. In addition, room heaters are only intended to be used in smaller rooms. When they are used in large spaces, the energy consumption goes up exponentially.

Consequences of Excessive Energy Consumption

Excessive energy consumption is not only expensive; it can be annoying as well, as there is the risk that the heater will blow a fuse or overload the circuit. As a result, a room heater should never be used on the same circuit as another major appliance. If a timer is used to turn the heater on at a specific time, keep in mind that there is a risk that the heater will blow the circuit when it turns on. It is recommended that a power strip with surge protection be used on any outlet that will have a room heater, regardless of the house's wiring and set up.

The Amount of Heat Released

One of the most dangerous disadvantages of room heaters is the amount of heat they release. The goal of a heater is to release heat and as a result, the heater itself often gets dangerously hot. This can pose a safety hazard to pets, children, and even adults, who may burn themselves on the heater. In addition, room heaters can get hot enough to cause drapes or clothing to burst into flames. For safety reasons, the heater should always be placed a few feet away from any cloth or material and the heater should not remain on while everyone in the house is asleep.

The Fans Inside the Heaters

Most room heaters rely on a fan to circulate the heat, which results in all sorts of disadvantages of room heaters. Fans stir up dust, which makes things unpleasant for people suffering from asthma or other respiratory ailments. They are also noisy and can prevent people from sleeping comfortably. Ideally, fans should be cleaned periodically to prevent issues with dust and excessive noise.

There are many reasons to purchase a room heater, just as there are many reasons not to. The disadvantages of room heaters are quite varied and range from the amount of energy they consume to the fire hazard they pose.

Space Heater Buying Guide

According to U.S. Government statistics, the average American spends almost $1,000 annually just to heat and cool their residences. A good portable heater can help offset these costs, but the right heater must be used judiciously.

Safety Factors

The most crucial consideration when using portable heaters should always be safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 25,000 residential fires annually are linked to the use of space heaters with 300 of these resulting in death. Additionally, around 6,000 burn injuries are associated with non-fire situations, such as coming into contact with a heater's hot surface or grill. Many heaters now provide a cool-touch housing and/or grills that prevent burns in non-fire situations. Other safety features include automatic shut-off switches in cases of tip-over or overheating.

Radiant Heaters

These heaters generate rapid warmth by passing electricity through a metal or quartz element, and provide quiet, direct and concentrated heat for the area in its line of sight. The U.S. Department of Energy has stated that radiant heaters are the most efficient option for those who are going to be in a room for a brief amount of time, as this avoids the waste of energy required to heat the entire room. The downside of radiant heaters is that their heat is quickly dissipated, and they can only heat a small and focused area; they cannot be expected to heat a large room.

Convection Heaters

Fan-forced convection heaters heat air by passing it over a heating element, and then rely on fans to circulate the warm air throughout a room. They are effective up to a point, but can be noisy due to the fan. However, EnergySavers.gov recommends fan-less, quiet convection heaters that contain oil for maximum efficiency, as these heaters don't have to keep cycling on and off to maintain an even level of constant heat. These units may not warm up a room as quickly as the fan-forced models, but they are much quieter and more effective for areas that need to be heated for longer times.

Other Types of Heaters

Fan-forced ceramic heaters are also a good choice when searching for a heater designed to direct heat to a specific area. A newer type of unit known as a micrathermic heater provides convection-style, whole-room heat with the focused, spot-heating effect of a radiant heater. These little units can do double duty, depending on the user's heating needs.

Kerosene heaters are very handy to have around in case of a power outage, but are best suited to outdoor patios and decks, and poorly insulated garages or basements. Kerosene heaters can also be more hazardous to operate.

Other Factors to Consider

Portable heaters that provide automatic temperature control may be more expensive, but can save both time and energy costs. Also, size matters - an electric heater that is too large for the space in which is being operated will use more energy, but these units can overheat if they are too small for the operating area. Additionally, don't shell out money for any heater until you check your homeowner's policy - some insurance companies include a proviso that invalidates the policy if a fire is linked to a portable heater.

Portable heaters are often used because a home's primary heating system is either too expensive to operate, or is older and/or inadequate in other ways. These little heaters can offer an excellent alternative heat source, and can lower energy costs when they are used in conjunction with primary heat source thermostats lowered between 5-10 degrees.