As winter approaches and energy prices are still high, the need for an energy-efficient heater becomes more urgent. Many different kinds of heaters are available on the market, but finding one that offers the cheapest electric heat is more difficult.
In a recent article, the Department of Energy reported that it expects the cost of energy this winter for heating your home to go up higher than it has been for more than a decade. Heating oil is apt to be affected the most—costing 27 percent higher—which will affect New England homes the most. It is expected that the cost of electricity will rise by 10 percent.
Here are some tips to help you find the best electric heater for your home.
Oil-Filled Radiators
An oil-filled radiator may be one of the best portable heating systems available. The advantage of this type of system is that they continue to generate heat even after turning it off. The oil stays hot for some time, whereas other heating systems cool quickly and provide little heat after being turned off.Because it stays hot longer, it will produce more heat than other models for an equal amount of electricity. These heaters also have variable temperature settings.
Although an oil-filled heater will cost more to buy and will weigh more than some other heating systems, they are the most efficient space heater you can buy. The larger the fins it has, the faster they will heat an area—which can make them usable in larger rooms. With care, they last for years and can easily be moved from one room to the next because they are mounted on wheels. They are also one of the safest space heaters you can buy.
Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters may also be considered one of the cheapest ways to provide heat, but they are one of the more expensive to buy. They work differently than other portable heaters. The heater’s infrared rays, which are not harmful to people, will heat the object rather than the room. Whatever is in front of the heater—you, for example—will be heated. The room is slowly heated as you become warmer.An advantage of infrared heaters is that they will warm you regardless of the cold air around you—even if a window or door is opened. They can even be used outdoors. They also consume less electricity and come in various sizes. A thermostat lets you change the amount of heat.
Prime Appliance Repairs says that you want to buy them with better quality quartz bulbs, which enables them to last longer. Some models can produce 1,500 watts, operate on 120 volts, and have a 12-hour automatic shutoff.
Halogen Heaters
These heaters are very much like infrared heaters. They also heat objects in front of them rather than the surrounding area. Heatology says that you do not need to worry about drafts because it heats your body—or whatever is in front of it. This feature can enable you to save electricity.Because they can heat objects in front of them, they are ideal for use outdoors. They can be used on patios, terraces, or garages, but will only heat what is directly in front of them. They also are easily portable.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Space Heaters
Electric space heaters are probably the least expensive type of portable heaters you can buy. However, they are also the most costly to use. They heat the air in a room, which makes them convenient and fast when you want to raise the temperature in a small room. They usually have variable temperature settings, which enable you to reduce the heat once the room is warm.A space heater will often heat a room quickly, but it will not reduce your electric bill. HomeInspectionInsider says that this kind of heater may cause some health issues, such as asthma or allergies. The fan blades can also build up dust if they do not have special air filters. A danger of this kind of heater is that the heating elements are exposed, which could cause a fire.
Ceramic Heaters
A ceramic heater has ceramic plates connected to metal electric coils. The coils heat the ceramic plates quickly, and they start to release heat from the device. The heater may or may not have a fan. Those without a fan will take longer to heat a small room.An advantage of this kind of small space heater is that they produce heat quickly. The ceramic plates stay warm for a while, which allows them to continue to radiate some heat even after turning it off.
Fan Heaters
A fan heater has a metal heating coil that gets hot and a fan to blow the heat into the room. They are inexpensive, compact, and will produce nearly instant heat. They are excellent for smaller spaces, and stop heating when turned off. It means you may need to constantly run it to keep a room warm—which also means a higher electric bill.Panel Space Heaters
One of the newer types of heaters—a panel space heater—can be wall-mounted or be placed on the floor. They are only a couple of inches thick and use electrical current to produce the heat. Some models have fans, and some do not. HomeAirGuides says this kind of heater is best used to help warm a room, but more expensive models can produce up to 1,500 watts of heat and have an adjustable thermostat.Electric heaters of any kind can be costly if you use them all the time. If you can power them with solar energy or use it with a central heating system kept at a lower temperature, it would reduce your electric bill even further. Kiplinger mentions that electric heaters typically cost between $0.10 and $0.50 per hour in the United States Choose a portable electric heater that is suitable for your needs, but be sure to consider children and pets when buying.
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