10 Simple Ways To Figure Out Your Electric Heater
How to Select Electric Heaters Electric heaters have a wide range of advantages, including a lower initial cost, low maintenance for the homeowner and a cost-effective method to heat your home. They are also more convenient to use than heating systems which require venting. They are especially useful if your electricity provider offers Economy 7, as the cheaper off-peak tariff can save you money on the cost of heating. Temperature Settings Ideal is that your electric heater permits you to set and maintain the temperature you prefer without needing to turn it on or off. This will reduce energy consumption and prevent you from entering the wrong room or leaving one that's too hot. Look for a thermostat, and if you can, one with a timer function. When selecting an electric heater, be sure that it's designed for the space you have. A heater that is too small for your space will have to run longer than necessary to reach a desired temperature, which wastes energy and can cause the room to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the perfect size heater for your room in terms of the watts per square. foot. Also, make sure the knobs for temperature adjustment are easy to adjust and reach. If the knobs are recessed, you may have to take out screws and remove insulation to access them, which could be a challenge. It is also essential to verify the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and efficiency. Temperatures that are lower than 120 degrees can trigger bacteria growth and increase the risk of scalding, while temperatures that exceed 140 degrees can pose dangerous for fire. The Everhot is an elegant compact heater that is specifically designed for conservatories or, as the company describes it: “annexes, holiday cottages, narrow boats, shepherds' huts and glamping pods.” It can reach temperatures of up to 200C and is a good choice to heat as well as cooking. It comes with a timer as well as an ECO mode that optimizes heat and power settings to be more energy-efficient. It's also extremely quiet. There isn't any fan noise or whirring sound when you change the settings. This makes it an excellent option for bedrooms and living rooms. It also has other features too 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 set to emit intermittent mists to create a more subtle effect. It's also durable and secure, with a tip over shutoff switch, as well as an overheating protection which automatically shuts off the unit when it is overheated. It's also registered with UL for safety. Safety Electric heaters are to be used with caution. Risks of fire from heaters as well as carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are particularly hazardous to children, elderly people and those with chronic health issues or immune system issues. Children and pets could knock over a heater, leading to injury or even death. ESFI recommends checking the heater's cord and plug on a regular basis. Look for signs of damage like damaged plugs, loose cord or if the plug is loose or cracked. If the outlet or cord feels hot, take it off and consult a certified electrician to replace it. Don't connect multiple electrical devices to the same outlet with a space heater; it could cause overload and cause overheating. It is a good idea to choose heaters that have been listed or identified by a nationally-recognized test laboratory, like UL. These products are more likely to be in compliance with the safety standards of voluntary manufacturers. Also, don't place a heater on fire-prone surfaces like carpets and fabrics. Maintain a minimum of three feet distance between the heater and any combustible materials. Also, don't put a heater in the bathroom or kitchen and never be near it if you're soaking wet. Also, make sure to connect a heater directly to an outlet on the wall. Do not use a power strip. If you must use an extension cord, select the shortest one that is heavy-duty and made with 14-gauge wire. Check for any outlets that are sagging because this could be a sign of an overloaded circuit. If you're using an electric space heater in an open space make sure to keep it at least six inches away from anything that may ignite. Place the heater on a flat, non-flammable surface rather than on furniture, cabinets or tables, which may overheat. Also, make sure to turn off and unplug the heater when you leave the room or go to bed and leave it on to increase the chance of catching fire. Utilizing the correct safety measures when using electric heaters can help avoid injuries and decrease the energy use. As temperatures drop, facilities managers often turn to electric heaters to provide warmth in office areas and common areas. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and services indoor or outdoor electric heating systems to make your space as comfortable in the cold winter months as you can. Contact us today to find out more about our heating solutions. Energy Efficiency When choosing a portable electric heater be sure to consider its energy efficiency. This is the amount of energy needed to produce the desired output. Heating systems that require less energy are more efficient and can reduce the cost of heating your business or home. The majority of electrical heaters convert electrical energy into heat by using the heating element. It is made up of a coil, ribbon, flexible heater element, or tubular element that releases heat when an electric charge passes through it. The amount of heat produced depends on the kind and method of heating element (convection radiation, convection). If you are concerned about the impact on the environment, you should select a model which uses an environmentally-friendly form of energy. This could be an energy source that is renewable or a substitute for fossil fuels like solar or wind. The energy efficiency of electric heaters is also affected by where and how electricity is generated. Electricity derived from a solar or wind power plant will be more efficient than electricity that is derived from burning fossil fuels in a power station. You should not only choose a heater that is an environmentally friendly energy source, but also one that has many energy-saving features. These features could include automatic shutoff mechanisms that will be activated in the event of an overheated unit, or if a unit is accidentally tipped. These security measures will help protect your employees or family and also help reduce your energy costs by preventing excessive use. Many portable electric heaters work quietly, which makes them ideal for bedrooms, offices, and other places where you need a peaceful atmosphere. Electric heaters can save you money by reducing maintenance calls. Gas units can be more costly to fix than electric heaters, and the expense of maintenance can increase over time. Electric models are usually cheaper to maintain and come with more advanced features to help you save money. Installation Electric heaters operate on the basis of Joule energy, converting electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. They're also efficient and economical when compared to other types of heating, particularly gas. However, they're not suitable for every household and can put pressure on the existing electrical system. For this reason, it is recommended that an expert electrician verify that the current system can handle the extra burden of an electric wall heater before installing one. When selecting an electric heater, you need to consider several aspects, including the type and size of the heater as well as the room which it will be placed. The type of heater you pick will determine how much it will cost to run. An electric baseboard heater may cost more to run than an electric space heater or a portable unit, but it offers more even warmth and won't require chimneys or vents. Electric fan heaters include an air blower that circulates hot air throughout the room. This type of heater is usually the most affordable to run, however it can be loud and takes longer to heat the room than other types of electric heaters. Choose the space heater with a built-in thermostat. This feature allows you to set a temperature target and the heater will shut off automatically when it attains that temperature. This can significantly reduce your energy usage and save you from turning the heater on and off. Make sure to shut off the power source at the breaker box and make use of a circuit tester to ensure that it's off before you attempt to install an electric heater. Then, mark the spot where you intend to mount the electric heater on the wall. Then, cut an opening for it in the drywall. Use a drywall cutter to cut off the needed section. Be electric log burners not to scratch any electrical wires or pipes. Connect a 14/2 cable of the same gauge and length as the wires that are already in use from the breaker panel to the wall opening. Strip about 1 inch of insulation off the ends of each conductor wire and connect them to an appropriate screw in the outlet box. The wire you identify as the “line” by labeling it or marking it with a piece red tape, and connect it to the wire leads with the label “load” in the thermostat box.