Electric Heater : What is it?
| Electric heaters produce and distribute heat throughout a room or house. They work by passing current through an electrical resistor, which causes it to convert the electricity into heat. They are usually installed in living rooms or bedrooms, but some larger models are designed to heat larger areas, or even entire houses. They are rated in British thermal units (BTUs), which indicates the amount of space they can heat using a fixed amount of power. Most models run on mains power and include vents, timers, and temperature controls. |
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Kinds of Electric Heaters include the following: |
Radiative heaters
Radiative heaters use reflectors and infrared beams to generate heat. The heating element travels through the air and gets absorbed by the objects inside the room. They warm up people and objects instead of heating the surrounding air, allowing more even heating. Convection heaters
Convection heaters have a heating element that conducts heat to the adjacent air, causing it to rise. They continue to heat the cool air that flows into the space left by the rising hot air, creating a constant flow of heat. The heat is emitted through a set of vents on one side of the heater.
Fan heaters
Fan heaters are similar to convection heaters, but they have an additional fan that speeds up the flow of hot air. The fans reduce the thermal resistance between the heated and unheated air, making them more efficient than normal convection heaters. They are sometimes called forced convection heaters.
Storage heaters
Storage heaters have clay bricks that absorb heat from electric power to be released at a later time. They usually absorb heat overnight, when electricity rates are lower, and release it during daytime. Most models come with a charge and draught control, which monitor heat input and output respectively. Underfloor heaters Underfloor heaters heat the flooring, which then heats the adjacent air and distributes it via convection. They may be powered by electricity or a heat exchanger. They produce a consistent temperature and provide the most even heating. |
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Efficiency. Choose an electric heater that heats up evenly and at a moderate speed. This ensures that most of the heat is released into the room instead of being used for the actual heating. Look for one with fiberglass insulation to minimize heat loss. Size. Make sure the heater matches the size and heating requirements of your room. Avoid very small portable heaters because they heat up more easily and may pose a fire hazard. Safety features. Choose an electric heater with automatic shutoff and anti-tipping construction to prevent overheating and reduce the risk of fire. Look for one with heat guards and monitors that alert you when the heat reaches a dangerous level. |
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