Most of the popular electric heaters on the market are usually powered by either electricity or fuel (either propane or kerosene). While both types of heaters have their own individual benefits, electric heaters seem to be the most popular option because they are often inexpensive to purchase and easy to maintain. In fact, 90% of the heaters we carry use electricity to provide warmth. Electric heaters primarily work by converting electricity into heat via an electric resistor within the heater, and an electric current flowing through the resistor then coverts the electric energy into heat energy. Some of the benefits of an electric heater are obvious - electricity is available anywhere, and electric heaters do not require fuel to be stored. In that respect, electric heaters do not emit pollutants into the area being heated, as they are generated by using fossil fuels. In terms of operating costs, electric heaters can sometimes be costly when used at peak times, so it is important to be prudent when running an electric heater. If used intermittently, an electric heater can be relatively inexpensive to run, but depending on your heating needs, may not be as cost effective as a unit with the same output utilizing gas. It is also important to understand safety issues when purchasing a electric heaters. Some of the older models of heaters available in second-hand shops do not have safety features such as tip over switches in place, and some heating fires can occur with the use of an electric heater. However, many new models of electric heaters are required to pass rigid safety tests in order to ensure safe operation. Wire grills, tilt switches, automatic shutoff controls, and thermostat controls are all safety features to look for when purchasing an electric heater. |