The 10 Most Scariest Things About Electric Heater
How to Select Electric Heaters Electric heaters provide a variety of advantages, including a lower initial cost, low maintenance for the homeowner and a cost-effective method to warm your home. They are also easier to use than heating systems that require venting. They are particularly useful if your electricity provider offers Economy 7 because the less expensive off-peak rate will save you money on heating costs. Temperature Settings The ideal situation is that your electric heater allows you to adjust and maintain the temperature you want without needing to turn it off or off. This will conserve energy and stop you from leaving or entering a room too cold. You should look for a thermostat and if possible one with a timer function. When selecting an electric heater, be sure that it's rated for the space you have. If the heater isn't big enough for your space will need to run longer than is necessary to reach the desired temperature, which wastes energy and causes the room to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the optimal heater's power in watts per square foot for your area. Also, be sure the temperature control knobs are accessible and adjust. You may need to remove screws or peel back insulation to access the knobs if they are recessed. This can be a problem. It's also important to check the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures that are lower than 120 degrees can cause bacteria to grow and increase the risk of the possibility of scalding. When temperatures exceed 140 degrees could be dangerous for fire. The Everhot is a stylish compact heater that can be utilized in conservatories or, as the company describes it: “annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' huts... glamping pods.” It can reach temperatures of up to 200C, making it an ideal heater to heat as well as cooking. It has a timer, and an ECO setting that optimizes temperature and power settings to be more efficient. It's also quiet and quiet, with no fan noise and no whirring noise when you change the settings. This makes it an excellent option for bedrooms or living rooms. It has other features as well like an integrated nightlight that lights up in a blue color when the heater is turned on, as well as an integrated humidifier that can be adjusted to create intermittent mist to create a more subtle effect. It's also safe and sturdy, with a tip-over shutoff switch and overheating protection that shuts down the unit should it overheat. It's also UL-listed for safety. Safety When using electric heaters, it is essential to take the proper safety precautions. Children, the elderly and people suffering from chronic illnesses or immune system issues are at a greater risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide as well as fire hazards created by heaters. Additionally, children and pets can knock over a heater, leading to injury or death. ESFI suggests checking a heater's plug, cord and outlet regularly. Look for signs of damage like cracks in the plug, a loose cord, or if a plug is loose or cracked. If the cord or outlet is hot, stop using it and consult a certified electrician to replace it. Don't connect multiple electrical devices to the same outlet with the use of a space heater as it could overload the outlet and result in overheating. It's a good idea also to select heaters that are listed or identified by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. These heaters are more likely than other models to meet the voluntary safety requirements. Avoid placing a heater near flammable materials, such as rugs or fabrics. Make sure to keep a minimum distance of three feet between the heater and the combustible material. Also, never put heaters near the bathroom or in the kitchen. Don't touch it when you are wet. Also, always plug in a heater directly to an outlet on the wall. Never use the power strip. If you have to use an extension cord, select the most compact heavy-duty cord you can comprised of 14-gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are not sagging, as this could indicate a circuit that is overloaded. If you're using an electric space heater in an open space ensure that you keep it at least six inches away from anything that could burn. Place the space heater on a flat, non-flammable surface instead of on furniture, cabinets or tables that could overheat. The last thing to do is unplug and turn off the heater prior to leaving the room. Electric heaters are a great way to reduce energy consumption and avoid injuries. As temperatures drop, facilities managers frequently turn to electric heaters to add warmth in office spaces and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and services indoor or outdoor electric heating systems to make your space as cozy during these cold winter months as is possible. Contact us for more information about heating solutions. Energy Efficiency Think about the energy efficiency of a portable heater when making your decision. This refers to the amount of energy needed to generate the desired output. Heating systems that require less electricity are thought to be more efficient and will help lower the overall cost of heating a house or business. The majority of electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat using an element for heating. It is typically made up of a ribbon or coil, a flexible heater, or tubular element that releases heat when a current flows through it. The amount of heat produced depends on the type and method of heating element (convection, radiation). If you're concerned about the impact on the environment, choose a model which uses eco-friendly energy sources. This might be an energy source that is renewable or a substitute for fossil fuels like wind or solar. The efficiency of energy used by an electric heater is also dependent on the source of electricity from and the method of generation. electric stove fireplacesandstove generated by solar or wind power plants will be more efficient that electricity derived from fossil fuels in the power plant. Apart from selecting a heater that runs on an environmentally friendly type of energy, you must consider a heater that comes with a variety of built-in energy-saving features. These could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that will be activated in the event of overheating, or if a unit is accidentally dropped. These safety measures can help to safeguard your family or employees, and they can also contribute to lower energy bills by helping you avoid excessive use. Many portable electric heaters operate quietly, making them ideal for bedrooms, offices and other places that require a calm environment. Another way in which an electric heater can save you money is by cutting down on the number of maintenance calls you'll have to make. Gas heaters are more expensive to repair than electric models, and the cost of maintenance could increase over time. Electric models are usually cheaper to maintain and usually have more advanced features to help you save money. Installation Electric heaters work on the principle of Joule energy, which converts electrical energy into radiant heat that warms the room. Electric heaters are also more efficient and cost-effective than other heating methods, including gas. They aren't suitable for all households and may strain an existing electricity system. It's important to have an electrician inspect the system prior to installing the wall heater. When selecting an electric heater, you need to consider several aspects, such as the size and type of the heater, as well as the space in the room it will be installed. The type of heater that you choose will determine the cost to operate it. Electric baseboard heaters are more expensive to run than space heaters or portable heaters, but they provide a more even heat and don't require vents or chimneys. Electric fan heaters have an air compressor that circulates hot air through the room. This type of heater is usually the cheapest to run, but it can be noisy and takes longer to warm the room than other types of electric heaters. Search for a heater that includes a thermostat. This feature lets you set a temperature goal and shuts off automatically when the desired temperature has been attained. This feature can help reduce the energy use and also help you avoid having to turn the heater on and of. Before attempting to install an electric heater, make sure that the power is off at the breaker panel. Also, ensure that the circuit is off using a test device. Mark the location on the wall where you plan to install the heater and cut a hole in the wall. Use a drywall saw to cut off the required section, taking care not to cut any existing electrical pipes or wires. Use a cable 14/2 of the same gauge and length as the existing wires, from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Connect each wire to the screw available in the outlet box by removing about 1 inch of insulation. The wire you identify as the “line” by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape. Then, connect it to the wire leads that are marked “load” in the thermostat box.