5 Laws That Anyone Working In Electric Heater Should Know
How to Select Electric Heaters Electric heaters provide a variety of benefits, including a low initial cost, minimal maintenance for homeowners and an efficient way to heat your home. They are also easier to use than heating systems which require venting. You can save money on heating expenses if you have an electricity provider that provides Economy 7. Temperature Settings Ideally, your electric heater will enable you to set the temperature you like, then maintain that temperature without the need to switch it off and on. This will reduce energy consumption and save you from entering a room that's too cold or leaving one that's too hot. Look for a thermostat, and if possible one with an alarm function. When choosing an electric heater, be sure it's rated for the space you have. A heater that is too small will have to run longer to reach the desired temperature. This is a waste of energy and can cause your space to overheat. Use our calculator to determine the ideal heater size for your room in terms of watts per sq. foot. Also, make sure the knobs for temperature control 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 can be difficult. Be sure to check the recommended temperature range as well for safety and efficiency. Temperatures below 120 degrees can cause bacteria to grow and increase the chance of the possibility of scalding. While temperatures above 140 degrees could pose dangerous for fire. The Everhot is an elegant compact heater that can be used in conservatories, or as the company says: “annexes... narrow boats... shepherds' cabins... glamping pods.” It can reach temperatures of up to 200C, making it an ideal choice to heat as well as cooking. It has a timer and an ECO setting which optimizes the power and heat settings to make it more efficient. It's also quiet, with no fan noise and no whirring when you change the settings. This makes it a great choice for bedrooms and living rooms. It has other features as well like a built in nightlight that turns blue in color when the heater is on, as well as an integrated humidifier that can be set to emit intermittent mists to create a more subtle effect. It's also safe and sturdy, with a tip-over shutoff switch as well as a protection against overheating that shuts down the unit in the event of overheating. It is also UL-listed to ensure security. Safety Electric heaters are to be used with caution. Children, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic illnesses or immune system disorders are at a greater chance of being poisoned by carbon monoxide and fire hazards triggered by heaters. Children and pets can also knock the heater off and cause injury or even death. ESFI recommends checking a heater's plug, cord and outlet regularly. Check for indications of damage, like damaged or loose plug or a frayed cord. If the outlet or cord feels hot, stop using it and consult a certified electrician to repair it. Also, never plug multiple electrical devices into the same outlet using a space heater; it could cause overload and cause overheating. It's recommended to only use heaters that are identified or labelled by a national recognized testing laboratory, like UL. These heaters are more likely to conform to voluntary safety standards. Never place a heater near material that is flammable, such as carpets or fabrics. Maintain a minimum of three feet between the heater and any combustible material. Also, never put heaters near the bathroom or in the kitchen. Do not touch it if you're wet. Be sure to always plug an electric heater directly into a wall outlet not an power strip or extension cord. If you need to use an extension cord, select the shortest possible heavy-duty one made with 14-gauge wire. Examine any outlets that are sagging, because this could be a sign of a circuit that is overloaded. Keep an electric space heater at least six inches from anything that could cause. Place the heater on an unburnable, flat surface instead of on cabinets, furniture or tables that could overheat. Also, make sure to turn off the heater and disconnect it when you leave the room or go to sleep and leave it on to increase the risk of fire. Electric heaters are an excellent option to reduce energy usage and avoid injuries. Electric heaters are commonly used by facility managers to provide additional heat to offices and other common areas as temperatures decrease. Preferred Climate Solutions installs and maintains outdoor or indoor 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 Consider the energy efficiency of a portable heater when making your choice. This is the amount of energy required to generate the desired output. Heating systems that require less energy are more efficient and lower the cost of heating your business or home. The heating element is used in the majority of electrical heaters to convert electrical energy into warmth. It is usually composed of a coil, ribbon, flexible heater element, or tubular element that emits heat when an electric charge passes through it. electric wood burner stove of heat generated is contingent on the heating element and the method used by the means it transmits heat (convection or radiation). If you are concerned about your environmental impact, look for a model that uses an environmentally friendly method of energy. This could be a renewable source of power or a substitute for fossil fuels, such as solar or wind. The energy efficiency of electric heaters is also affected by the location and how the electricity is generated. Electricity derived from solar or wind power plants is more efficient than electricity derived from fossil fuels in power stations. You shouldn't just pick a heater that is an environmentally friendly energy source, but one that is equipped with a number of energy-saving features. They could include automatic shut-off systems in the event of overheating or in the event that the unit is accidentally tilted over. These security measures will help protect your family or employees and will also help you reduce your energy costs by preventing excessive use. Many portable electric heaters are engineered to operate quietly as well, making them ideal for offices, bedrooms and other spaces which require a calm atmosphere. Electric heaters can also save money by reducing your maintenance calls. Gas heaters are more costly to repair than electric models, and maintenance costs can add up over time. Electric models are typically less expensive to maintain and often have more advanced features to help you save money. Installation Electric heaters work by utilizing Joule energy, converting electrical power into radiant heat that warms the room. They're also very efficient and cost-effective compared to other types of heating, especially gas. These heaters are not suitable for every household and could strain an existing electricity system. This is why it's recommended to have a professional electrician check whether the current system can handle the extra burden of an electric wall heater before installing one. When choosing an electric heater you need to consider several factors, including the size and type of the heater, as well as the room in the space it will be placed. The type of heater you select will determine the price to run it. Electric baseboard heaters can be more expensive to run than portable heaters or space heaters, however they provide a more even heat and do not require chimneys or vents. Electric fan heaters include an air compressor that circulates hot air in the room. This kind of electric heater is the cheapest however it can be noisy and takes a longer time to heat up a room. Find a heater that includes a thermostat. This feature allows you to set a temperature goal and will automatically shut off when the desired temperature is reached. This can drastically reduce your energy usage and save you from turning the heater on and off. Before installing an electric heater, ensure that the power is off on the breaker panel and confirm that the circuit is shut off with a tester. Next, mark the location where you'll be mounting the electric heater on the wall and cut an opening for it in the drywall. Use a drywall saw to remove the necessary section, making sure not to cut any existing electrical pipes or wires. Run a 14/2 cable of the same gauge as the existing wires from the panel for the breaker to the wall opening. Remove about 1 inch of insulation off the ends of each conducting wire and connect them to an available screw in the outlet box. Identify this wire as the “line” by labeling it or marking it with a piece of red tape. Then, connect it to the wire leads marked “load” in the thermostat box.