Space Heater Detailed Guide: Heat Smarter, Save More!
A lot of people in the UK are looking for simple ways to stay warm without breaking the bank as the cold months approach. Thankfully, using a space heater is an ideal solution, as it provides targeted heating for specific rooms or areas within a home. Be it supplementing central heating, warming up a drafty area, or even creating a comfortable work environment, a space heater solves all problems efficiently.
Understanding Space Heaters
A space heater is perhaps the most useful tool for people looking to save money during the holiday season. Space heaters are compact heating devices that focus on warming a limited area instead of an entire house. Space heaters are especially useful for individuals living in places with poor insulation, conservatories, home offices, or for those looking to cut back on their energy costs by heating only occupied rooms. Unlike central heating systems that evenly distribute heat throughout the house, space heaters focus on providing warmth to a specific area.
Types of Space Heaters
Fan Heaters
This is the most sold and inexpensive electric room heater. This appliance heats up a room by pulling air in and pushing it through a heated coil with a fan. This makes it one of the best appliances for heating a small space as efficiently as possible.
These types of heaters are lightweight and portable, making them ideal for seasonal use like winter. They are more energy-efficient than radiator heaters but tend to use a lot of electricity during extended use. The appliance is also quite noisy, which makes it less suitable for the elderly. Most people with respiratory problems will also find the lack of humidity in the air suffocating.
Oil-Filled Radiators
Oil-filled radiators are great for long-lasting heat. They have oil inside, which is heated electrically and then gradually radiated into the surrounding air. They work quietly compared to fan heaters, and once they cool off after being switched off, they’re still radiating heat, so they’re much more energy efficient.
These heaters are ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices where you want consistent, quiet warmth. However, they can take longer to warm up and tend to be bulkier than other types of space heaters. Although they may be more expensive initially, they are more energy efficient, which can save you money over time on your electricity bills.
Halogen Heaters
Halogen heaters are designed with halogen elements that produce infrared heat, which heats people and objects directly rather than the air. This will make them very efficient for personal heating for small spaces like an office, conservatory, or outdoor space.
Halogen heaters don’t warm the surrounding air, so they work best when used in situations where there’s a need for direct, immediate warmth. But they have a limited range, and they’re not suitable for heating an entire room. And they’re one of the safer options, since their heating elements don’t get that hot to the touch.
Convector Heaters
Convection heaters operate by warming air, which rises, creating air circulation within the room. This makes them ideal for keeping temperatures consistent over long periods. Convection heaters warm without the noise that fan heaters have and rather gently and slowly provide heat.
These heaters are designed for average to bigger spaces, so it is quite common for these heaters to serve as a secondary heat source in offices or living rooms. But these kinds of heaters take longer to give significant heat and often use a lot of energy compared to other heaters.
Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters send warmth using infrared radiation that will directly heat objects and people, not the air around them. This method of heating is very energy efficient and, like the sun, provides warmth in a natural way.
These types of heaters are better suited for patios, conservatories, or heating specific rooms indoors. They are more efficient than standard electric heaters, and, therefore, their efficiency is reduced; however, in larger spaces or when there are obstacles between them and the area being warmed.
Safety Considerations
Space heaters are efficient, but they can become fire hazards if not used properly. Following safety protocols helps to avoid accidental mishaps and maintain safe operation.
General Safety Tips
To minimise risk, always keep space heaters at least one meter from any flammable items, including curtains, furniture, and paper. Never leave a heater unattended while it’s on, and keep children and pets at least three feet away.
Today’s space heaters have safety features like automatic shut-off mechanisms that activate if your space heater is starting to overheat or gets knocked over. These features increase security in a conservatory. and should be top of mind when choosing a heater.
UK Safety Standards
Check that products meet the safety standards in the UK before purchasing a space heater. Heaters with a CE marking or BSI Kitemark have been tested for safety and reliability. Other important safety features include overheat protection and a sturdy base to prevent the unit from tipping over.
Never plug high-wattage space heaters into extension leads; this can overload circuits and become a fire hazard. Instead, plug the heater directly into a wall socket and check the power cord regularly for damage.
Choosing the Right Space Heater for Your Needs
For small bedrooms or offices, an oil-filled radiator gives quiet and even heat. For rapid heating in short spurts, a fan heater is a solid option. Halogen or infrared heaters are ideal if you need something portable for outdoor use or a conservatory.
If you want something to work in larger rooms to evenly distribute heat throughout, a convector heater works perfectly.
Programmable timer-independent and thermostat-type smart heaters should also be considered to save energy, as they provide control over heating time and temperature.
Conclusion
Space heaters are immensely useful, especially for homes in the UK, as they provide warmth at a time optimally required. With heaters ranging from fan and infrared to oil-filled, the choice will depend on your comfort levels as well as energy expenses; all these options ensure warmth is at your service as and when needed.
In the end, using space heaters safely and effectively will keep you warm during ruthless winters while cutting costs in the process.
