Tower Heaters

Advantages of Tower Heaters

A tower heater is, quite simply, a heater in the shape of a tower. They are all different kinds of tower heaters available for sale and each kind of heater has its own pros and cons. However, many of the advantages of tower heaters are based on the unique shape of the heater.

Attractive Design

Tower heaters are tall and thin, and available in all sorts of shapes, colors and styles. The variety of styles means that it is easy to find a tower heater that matches any room in the house. In general, the tower shape is significantly more attractive than the boxy look of a typical space heater. Because one of the advantages of tower heaters is that they are so pretty, the heaters are ideal for places where décor is important, such as a guestroom in the house or a meeting office in the workplace.

Tall and Thin

Tower heaters have the ideal body shape; they are tall and thin which makes it easy for them to fit just about anywhere. In a small room, such as a walk in closer or a bathroom, it can be difficult to find place for a large space heater. However, one of the advantages of tower heaters is that they can fit in any room, even one as small as a closet. Powerful tower heaters are also not excessively large, as they tend to get taller, rather than wider, with extra power.

Portability

Most tower heaters come equipped with a handle on top of the heater. In addition, the heaters are typically lightweight and dainty, which makes it easy to move the heater from place to place. One of the advantages of tower heaters is that they can be easily picked up and carried around the house to keep you warm wherever you are. In addition, as mentioned above, it is easy to fit tower heaters just about anywhere. The portability and the fit combine to create a heater that can be picked up, moved, and placed anywhere multiple times a day without an issue.

At Heat Level

Because tower heaters are taller than most heaters, they provide heat at a point further above the floor. This is often ideal, as the tower heater’s heat is directed at the person, rather than at their ankles. For example, a tower heater in a living room or a home theater would be even with the couch and provide direct heat to the person sitting there. For the same reason, a tower heater is ideal for bedrooms, where the heat will be the perfect level to warm up the person sleeping comfortably in bed.

There are many advantages of tower heaters. There is a huge variety of colors and styles available, and most customers consider the tall, thin shape to be attractive. Tower heaters are very portable and can fit just about anywhere. Last but not least, because tower heaters are taller than the average heater, they provide warmth at an ideal level.

Disadvantages of Tower Heaters

Tower heaters are thin, tall, and pretty, but looks aren’t everything. There are a number of disadvantages of tower heaters that may at times counteract the pros of the design. It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of tower heaters before purchasing a unit, and to decide whether a tower heater is truly your best choice.

How a Tower Heater Works

Tower heaters are designed to work with the idea that warm air rises. Air enters the heater and is warmed up. The hot air from the heater is then expelled into the room and rises upwards, pushing the cool air downwards. The cool air is warmed by the heater and then rises, continuing the cycle. This process goes on until the air that is being pushed down is no longer cool, but instead is comfortably warm. At that point, the room has reached its ideal temperature and the heater is no longer needed. In many cases, the heater will shut itself off at this point.

Disadvantages of Tower Heaters Based on the Heating Process Used

Because of the way tower heaters work, the air closest to the ceiling is always the warmest. In a room with a high ceiling, such as in the case of a foyer or entryway, it can take a very long time for a tower heater to warm up the room. In addition, since the hot air is always rising, the height of the tower heater becomes an issue. Air below the heating point on the tower may never get to the heater to be warmed, and may therefore remain cool regardless of how long the heater remains on.

Noise

The amount of noise a tower heater emits depends on the model type and the age of the unit, but as a general rule, tower heaters are fairly noisy. This can be a problem in places where quiet is important, such as in the bedroom or in a communal workplace. In addition, tower heaters often oscillate to spread the heat more evenly and the oscillation is tends to ber excessively noisy, especially as time goes on. Oftentimes, customers are forced to choose between an irritating noise and uneven heating.

Stability

Tower heaters have a very small footprint, meaning they take up very little space on the floor. While this is a benefit when trying to find somewhere to store the heater, it is also one of the disadvantages of tower heaters. The small footprint means that the unit is not particularly stable and may tip over. This can be a very dangerous fire hazard, especially if the heater does not have a safety auto shut off or if the shut off does not function properly.

Cord Safety

Cord safety is one of the disadvantages of tower heaters that vary with model. Many kinds of tower heaters come with an ineffective cord that heats up to dangerous levels. If the cord gets smothered, there is the potential that it can start a fire. For this reason, a tower heater with a warm or hot cord should never be left unattended. It is always best to periodically check the cord to see how hot it gets with prolonged use.

The biggest advantages of tower heaters are aesthetic ones. They are pretty to look at and fit well in small spaces. However, there are a number of practical disadvantages to tower heaters that should be considered before purchasing a unit.