Heaters are an important part of any household, especially if you have to deal with a really harsh winter every year. While central heating is a very helpful option, many people don’t have that option to rely on or need more heat in those super cold months. Space heaters or portable heaters are a great way to heat up a single room. You just need to find the right one for your home and place it in the perfect location for a cozy and warm room. Whether you want a heater for your bedroom or living room, space heaters or in-built heaters are a great investment for your home.
In this buying guide, we will help you understand the difference between the different types of heaters that are available in the market. Hopefully, after reading this you will be able to make a decision as to what type of heater you need for your home.
Underfloor Heating
Before we begin talking about space heaters let’s talk about underfloor heating. Heated floors are not an alien concept. In fact, heated floors are a common thing in many countries. While the houses here don’t have underfloor heating, you can easily install it. Heated floors are often used in commercial buildings as well. Installing underfloor heating is not complicated and heated levels can usually be controlled with the help of a remote. This is an easy and clean way to heat up your home.
Types of Space Heaters
There are a few different kinds of heaters you can go for. The thing you should remember is that some of these heaters are effective enough to significantly heat up a room. Hence, you would not need to use central heating as much as you usually do. This is the reason why people usually buy space heaters for their bedrooms so that the room can be warm and toasty when they head off to sleep.
Convection Heaters
Transform the cold air of the room into warm air. Convection heaters are known to heat the entire room up. They take the cold air in the room and pass it back into the room in the form of warm air. If you want a heater for a slightly bigger room like the living room or dining room, then convection heaters are perfect for you.
Don’t get confused between different types of convection or convector heaters, they are still perfect for heating up an entire room.
Panel Heaters
The reason why we have placed panel heaters right after convection heaters are that they are quite similar. The difference is that they have a slimmer design and have a few different features. You can find panel heaters that combine convection and radiated heat for the perfect amount of heat in the room. Their sleekness doesn’t make them stand out in the room. It can be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall, it’s up to you.
Column Heaters
Heat that lasts for a longer time is what you get with column heaters. Column heaters are often oil-filled heaters that take some time to heat up but will retain the heat for a long time after they have been turned off. If you like having a heater that is affordable and durable, then this is the way to go. Even though column heaters are a little difficult to move around they are an excellent investment if you like a long-lasting heater that will keep you warm throughout the night.
Radiant Heaters
What radiates heat? A radiant heater. If you need your room to heat up quickly, a radiated heater is your go-to. When you are dealing with rooms that get too cold too quickly, radiated heaters are the perfect solution. Radiated heaters are available in different designs and styles. However, they are not entirely safe since the source of the heat, that is, the heating rods are exposed. So, if you have young children at home then we would recommend getting a different heater for your home.
Ceramic Heaters
If you want small heaters for a small space then ceramic heaters are a great option. The design for ceramic heaters is quite interesting. They have a ceramic block inside that absorbs and radiates heat. There are no safety issues with these types of heaters. Whether you have pets or young children, ceramic heaters are perfect for any household. Furthermore, they are super-silent, it almost feels like there is nothing in the room until you feel the heat being radiated from this tiny block of a heater. Usually, these heaters are used for a particular spot or area but they often come with an oscillation function that allows them to heat up the room as well.
However, if you need a bigger heater with the same safety requirements, then you can go for tower heaters. These are also ceramic heaters that are much taller and have a bigger ceramic block allowing them to heat up quicker.
Fan Heaters
For that immediate comfort, fan heaters are a great option. Fan heaters forced hot air into the small room allowing anything or anyone who comes in direct contact with the heater to warm up. Very similar to air conditioners, fan heaters generate hot air and push it out into the room. These heaters are quite effective but the effect lasts only the whole the heater is on, the heat doesn’t really last for long. So, if you’re looking for a heater that can warm you up quickly, then this is a great way to go.
Go For The Popular Option
There are many heaters available in the market but you should always choose the one that suits your space. That being said, there is a popular option that sits well within large and relatively smaller spaces. The electric fire heaters! Yes, if you want that feeling of sitting next to a fireplace without having to worry about the fire burning down your place, then these heaters are perfect. Whether you have an apartment or a townhouse, the fire heater warms up the entire room in no time and the fire effect gives you the fireplace experience whenever you want.
You can cuddle up with your loved ones next to these fire heaters. The best part is, that you can install these heaters in the living room and even in the bedroom. You can get yourself a wall-mounted heater or a portable one that can be moved around the house easily.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Heater
There are a lot of factors that will determine what type of heater would suit your household and your personal needs. The space and the cost of usage of the heater will determine the kind of heater you should buy.
Location and space
Where in the house you will be placing the heater makes a lot of difference. If it is a permanent instalment in the living room, then you need to look for heaters that can heat up a room quickly and can be mounted on the wall. On the other hand, if you are unsure of the location, it is best to buy a lightweight portable heater. We did mention before that column heaters are heavier and difficult to move. However, if you feel that a column heater will do the trick for you, there are a lot of different types available and some even come with wheels attached for ease of movement.
Heater Wattage
Whether it is for a big room or a smaller space, you need to be aware of the area and your usage of the heater. If you just want the heater to heat up a certain area, you need to buy something that fits that requirement. Heating up an entire room would require a heater that has the power to heat up its surroundings quickly and easily. Always check the wattage for the heater when buying one. The larger the wattage, the more heat you get which also means it uses more power. You need to have a rough idea of the square footage of the room before purchasing a heater powerful enough to heat the room up.
Cost of Usage
You have to be prepared for the fact that heater usage will result in your energy bills going up. But you don’t have to pay an exorbitant amount of money if you get a good quality heater. Space heaters will use a little more electricity compared to a central heating system. So, if you have both central heating and a space heater, then you should keep an eye on your usage of the space heater. The two heating options together can end up costing a good amount of money.
Keep yourself warm on cold days with a heater that suits your needs.
