3 Easy Ways to Choose an Electric Heater

Electric heaters are ideal for indoor areas that lack sufficient warmth due to inadequate heating. Any add-on, basement, or family room might lack heat simply because it's not connected to your central heating system. Maybe you don't have a central heating system or your wall furnace doesn't spread warmth evenly.

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Whatever the reason, you need supplemental heat to keep you warm on cold days. An electric heater is the perfect solution.

Electric heaters create warmth by converting electrical energy into heat.There are 2 types of electric heating: convection and radiant. In some cases, the 2 types are combined to offer a specialized heating experience. Whatever type you choose, each electric heater is designed to create a warmer indoor environment. Follow some basic criteria, and you can find an electric heater to meet your needs.

Electric Heat Types

Radiant/Reflective

Radiant or reflective heaters generate immediate heat much like the heat you feel when you stand in the sun. Heat is directed to a specific area. Radiant heaters are ideal for warming a space intermittently.

Some radiant heaters warm up to 1,000 sq. ft. of space while others might warm 150 sq. ft. This electric heater is an efficient solution for one or two people seeking a little extra warmth for a short period of time.

Advantages:

  • No moving parts
  • Silent operation
  • Low energy costs

Common features:

  • Adjustable thermostat
  • Timer
  • Portability

Fan-Forced

Fan-forced heaters come in a variety of sizes and heat spaces quickly and efficiently. As a metal coil is warmed, a fan spreads heat around the room. This electric heater is great for bedrooms and small offices. And sufficiently warms up to 150 sq. ft. of space.

Advantages:

  • Circulates the air
  • Distributes heat evenly
  • Wide coverage area

Common features:

  • Oscillation
  • Heat settings
  • Fan only setting

Ceramic

Ceramic heaters provide warm air that's easily directed to a specific area. Electricity moves over ceramic plates and  a fan distributes the heat. This electric heater is commonly used to heat sunrooms, bedrooms, and small offices. They're small, powerful, and energy efficient, heating spaces as large as 150 sq. ft.

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Advantages:

  • Ideal for small spaces
  • Even, controlled heating
  • Portable

Common features:

  • Timer
  • Oscillation
  • Adjustable Thermostat

Micathermic/Convection

Convection heaters combine a compact heating element with a heat transfer liquid. The heat is circulated up and out so it spreads around the room through natural air circulation. Some convection heaters include fans for even greater movement. Convection heaters are most effective in large rooms and active homes. This type of electric heater provides consistent warmth.


Micathermic electric heaters are a combination of convection and radiant heat. On average these electric heaters release 80% convection and 20% infrared heat within minutes, evenly warming spaces without the use of fans. This option is great for asthmatics because it isn't as drying as other heat types. Moreover, energy costs are lower because it takes less time to heat a room.

Advantages:

  • Quiet operation
  • Even heat distribution
  • Low energy costs
  • Quick and efficient

Common features:

  • Timer
  • Adjustable thermostat
  • Remote control

Select a Room Size

Decide where you're going to use the electric heater, then determine the size of the space. Knowing the square footage will help you make a selection to sufficiently heat the area. The number of watts determines the amount of heat produced. So if you're looking to warm a 150 sq. ft. space, you'll need a 1500 watt electric heater.When measuring watts to sq. ft. remember that 10-15 watts is equal to 1 sq. ft. of space.

Bedroom/Nursery

If you're looking to keep a bedroom warm on a cold winter night, choose a ceramic heater. This electric heater is a great source of warmth. They're small, portable, and efficient, providing superior warmth without overwhelming the senses.

Family Room

The best electric heater for a family room is a micathermic heater. Micathermic heaters are energy efficient and heat larger spaces perfectly. These heaters are the most efficient choice for heating large, regularly used living areas.

Basement

The best electric heater type for a basement is convection. Choose a convection heater with a fan for superior air circulation. This type of electric heater will spread warmth evenly around the room.

Select the Features

Controls

  • Manual
  • Electronic
  • LED/LCD
  • Programmable thermostats: Measures room temperature and turns on/off as needed.
  • Programmable timers: Turns on/off at a specific time.

Safety

  • Tip-over switch
  • Overheat protection
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Cool-touch exterior

Cost Effective

  • Programmable timers and thermostats
  • Clean energy source
  • Heat one room at a time
  • Warms spaces quickly
  • Even heat distribution

Electric Heater Designs

Baseboard: Baseboard electric heaters are low-profile, taking up very little space, fitting neatly along a baseboard wall in a room. These electric heaters provide steady heat, cost pennies to install, and operate quietly. Fostoria 483TM 1500 watt portable electric baseboard heater. This electric heater type is an ideal solution for heating basements, bedrooms, and bonus rooms.

Tower: Towerelectric heaters offer quick, effective heating in a tall narrow body. These electric heaters provide directional heat and are ideal for sunrooms, bedrooms, nurseries, or offices. This electric heater fits in small spaces easily. Trythe Lasko 755320 ceramic tower space heater. This heater is a great option.

Flat Panel: Flat panel electric heaters are quiet; they're lightweight and can be mounted on a wall if space is limited. These electric heaters offer a modern design to complement home decor. And because they're ideally micathermic, they're great for larger living spaces.An ideal option is the Soleus HGW-308R wall mounted micathermic heater.

Oil-Filled/Radiator: An oil-filled electric heater can heat spaces for a longer period of time. This is an ideal option for nighttime heating. Even, steady heat warms spaces as large as 150 sq. ft. They're less drying than radiant/reflective and fan-forced heaters too. Try the NewAir AH-410 electric radiator space heater. This electric heater is a convection heater so it distributes heat evenly. It heats spaces quickly and is ideal for bedrooms and living rooms.

Follow this electric heater link to view an even bigger selection. You'll find an electric heater to meet your needs.