If you are looking for a quick and easy way to add more warmth to your house or apartment this winter, a space heater may be a worthwhile investment. This is especially true if you live with roommates and have different temperature preferences, or if your home’s central heating system is in a malfunctioning state. Christopher Haas, a licensed electrician at Haas & Sons Electric in Pasadena, Maryland, explained to Mental Floss in an email: “Those who have an isolated room at home and have heating problems [Can benefit from space heaters]."
When you buy a space heater, there are hundreds of options to choose from. However, there are some important things to consider before going out and buying the first one you can find. In order to better understand how space heaters work and how to operate them safely, we talked to three electricians via email to get their expert tips on how to use them, and when the frost comes this winter, Which model is best to try.
A space heater is a device that can be used to heat a single room or space. Most do not need to be installed and can be plugged into a socket, which is why many people consider using them. "Space heaters generally use less energy than powering a central heating system, but they are not energy efficient. Therefore, you must consider determining what is best for your unique situation," Haas said.
Jeff Brandlin, owner of Assurance Electrical Services in Prescott, Arizona and a licensed electrician with 20 years of experience, explains that to properly heat a room with a space heater, you need one that provides 10 watts per square foot Power equipment. one room. For example, if you have a 150 square foot room, then a 1500 watt space heater may be your best choice. The British Thermal Unit (BTU)-a form of measurement that calculates the amount of energy (in this case, heat) required to raise the temperature of a pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit-is also a good way to remember you re-shopping . BTU is different from wattage, which measures the rate of energy transmission. However, you can use this tool to easily convert watts to hourly BTU and vice versa. Brandlin encourages you to consult a professional electrician to ensure that you also get the correct wattage output.
There are six main types of space heaters: ceramic, fan, infrared, oil-filled, panel, and propane.
Ceramic heaters use ceramic plates to quickly generate heat. According to Haas, these heaters cool down quickly, are usually cool to the touch, and are more portable than other types of heaters. Brandlin pointed out that ceramic heaters are considered the safest and most effective choice for people living in apartments due to their low energy consumption and low heat output. "Although they generate less heat than gas heaters, ceramic heaters are still efficient and the cost of use is only a small part of the fuel price," Brandlin said.
Fan heaters are similar to ceramics, but they use metal coils instead of ceramic plates to transfer heat. According to Brandlin, the fan blows air onto the coil, which in turn helps to dissipate heat in the room. "For apartment tenants and those who are looking for an affordable, compact and lightweight heater, fan space heaters are a good choice," Brandlin said.
If you are looking for a multifunctional space heater that can work in a small, concentrated space, Haas recommends infrared space heaters. Unlike other space heaters that discharge hot air, infrared devices emit electromagnetic waves to heat objects. Think of infrared heat as the warmth you feel when you sit in a chair in the sun all day. Both Haas and Brandlin pointed out that this type of space heater is suitable for areas such as basements.
For space heaters that are most suitable for large-area use, oil-filled and panel models are the types recommended by experts. Oil-filled devices tend to be larger and look like old-fashioned radiators. Haas pointed out that unlike other models, they do not use fans, which may be an advantage for people who are prone to allergies. Brandlin says that because they produce more heat output quietly than other devices, they stay warm even after they are turned off, and you can heat the room for longer. "Oil-filled options can heat larger rooms or areas of the home... but I will cautiously rely on them as full-time heating solutions without a specified circuit for their use," Haas said. Panel heaters look similar to oil-filled devices, but use electricity instead of oil and can be mounted on the wall, which means they may be ideal for children's bedrooms because children are unlikely to touch them.
For terraces or other outdoor spaces, propane heaters using liquid propane are the best choice. Because this type of heater is portable and does not require electricity to operate, they may be a good choice if there is a power outage.
Although most space heaters do not need to be installed, these devices can be dangerous if used improperly. Usually, Haas finds that emergency problems such as sudden power outages in winter may be caused by improper use. In order to prevent the space heater from blowing the fuse, Haas usually recommends permanent solutions, such as installing a floor, wall heater, or a circuit dedicated to the space heater. Knowing the power settings of the equipment and keeping the front panel or protective device away from flammable items such as clothing, toys or furniture is also an important safety measure.
Thomas Hawkins, Glencore’s master electrician and CEO and founder of Electrician Apprentice HQ, recommends keeping the portable space heater at least three feet away from other objects (especially anything containing liquids), and only when it is on the floor run. Other experts say that panel heaters that can be installed on the wall are considered safe when they are not on the floor. And you should not use a space heater while you are sleeping or when you are not in the room. Both Hawkins and Haas believe that this is crucial.
Some space heaters have automatic shutdown functions and thermostats, which experts say may be an essential safety feature. Brandlin particularly advocates the use of a device with a tipping switch, so that the heater will stop running when it is no longer upright. If you have children or pets, use a plastic or non-metal protective cover, so the device is unlikely to cause Burns moved. Companies such as Intertek and Underwriters Laboratory are committed to testing and scientifically proving the safety and quality of consumer products, and can be great resources when trying to research space heaters.
If you smell the burning smell in your home at any time while using the space heater, Haas recommends that you unplug all nearby power supplies to find the source of the smell. He also warned that if you need to use an extension cord, please make sure it has a 12 or 14 gauge wire gauge to avoid causing a short circuit, which means that current may flow in unexpected directions and may cause electrical fires, burns, and even death. .
Haas recommends the Pelonis 1500-watt ceramic portable tower heater, which usually retails for $75, because it can generate warm air in a few seconds. "It is equipped with all the comfort of a swing fan, but for heat, [including] remote control, environmental settings [high, low and eco mode], [a] programmable thermostat, timer and oscillating heat distribution," he Say. He also likes that this model has a toddler safety mechanism that prevents the device from tipping over and protects it from the child's grasp.
For office workers or those looking for an affordable option, Haas recommends the Lasko CD09250 ceramic heater, which retails for $32 and has an adjustable thermostat. This portable ceramic device is 9 inches tall, does not take up a lot of space, and can be easily placed under a table. It also provides overheat protection and has three thermal output levels. "If you are looking for something at home, it is not your main source of heat, but a good boost, it will be a good choice," Haas said.
Haas likes Lasko's 6101 Cool-Touch infrared quartz heater, which retails for $185. Specifically, he likes that 6101 provides the brand's proprietary smart energy-saving technology, which uses high heat to reach a specific temperature and low heat to maintain it, and then turns off when the device temperature is three degrees higher than the temperature you set. "I like this, it has a lot of practical significance," Haas said. It is also equipped with an adjustable digital thermostat, a remote control and an eight-hour timer.
Both Haas and Hawkins approve De'Longhi space heaters. Haas particularly likes the $140 Dragon4 full-room heater, which is an oil-filled option with three heating settings, thermal safety shutdown, and a digitally adjustable thermostat. "This particular model is great because it has a permanently sealed fuel tank, [therefore] no need to refill [it], and the slot generates a lot of heat without the same surface area heat," Haas said. Because of this reservoir, Haas pointed out that the model can stay warm even after it is closed, but it may take longer to heat up initially.
In the winter months, every time you go to the bathroom, are you afraid of the cold tiles with bare feet? Brandlin recommends the Lasko CD08200 ceramic bathroom heater for $41. "This 1500 watt heater can quickly heat the bathroom and has a [one hour] heating function, which is very useful for winter mornings because you only need to warm up to get in and out of the shower," he said.
This Vornado VH200 full room heater looks like a fan, but according to the brand, it is not technically a fan space heater. Despite this, Brandlin agrees with the $70 unit, saying that it is very suitable for heating the entire room and is quieter than other units. "Compared with any other space heater, the Vornado VH200 is relatively more affordable and faster," he points out. "The great thing about it is that it can evenly transfer heat throughout the room." Brandlin said that the VH200 is quite small and can be put away when not in use; in addition, it also has an overheating protection system, so you can rest easy when using it.
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