Energy Efficiency and Portable Electric Heaters
>> Thursday, August 12, 2010
As a general rule of thumb, electric heaters are the most efficient of all heating methods for the home as they basically generate an equivalent amount of heat to the actual electricity it consumes. They are also the most popular heaters when it comes to the portable variety due to their ease of use, their widespread availability, their relatively cheap price compared to other heating methods/appliances and for the fact that electricity is not rising as fast in price as other fuel sources such as gas and oil.
There are portable electric heaters to fulfil many requirements around the house or office; from small, compact under-the-desk type heaters, to large, almost industrial type's ideal for the largest of rooms, basements or the garage. Basically, you have to figure out what the heater is going to be used for before you go out and purchase one.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that almost all electrical room heaters nowadays are portable. Even the huge fan-driven ones often come with wheels or casters attached for easy transportation from one area to another. They are extremely simple to operate and the only thing you really have to do to get it going is plug it in to a power outlet on the wall.
Many of these appliances today have thermostats which allows for the regulation of temperature; this way you can avoid wasting the extra heat that might have been produced by the heater. And when wintertime is over and the weather starts warming up again, the modern portable electric heater is usually so compact that it can easily be stored away unobtrusively until the next winter.
But, there are a few specific things to bear in mind whilst using one of these heaters. Many issues arise with the appliances when individuals do not follow the basic safety precautions that are recommended by the manufacturer (and those which require a bit of common sense).
First of all, ensure the heater is UL listed. There is no point at all in taking risks with an appliance that hasn't been safety rated. Second, ensure items that are flammable are kept away from the heater; fabrics such as curtains and clothes should be maintained at a safe distance, and at least no closer than three feet.
Try not to overload your homes power circuits. Portable electric heaters can be power hogs, so ensure that nothing else is plugged into the same socket as a heater and try and use a recommended surge protection device.
There are portable electric heaters to fulfil many requirements around the house or office; from small, compact under-the-desk type heaters, to large, almost industrial type's ideal for the largest of rooms, basements or the garage. Basically, you have to figure out what the heater is going to be used for before you go out and purchase one.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that almost all electrical room heaters nowadays are portable. Even the huge fan-driven ones often come with wheels or casters attached for easy transportation from one area to another. They are extremely simple to operate and the only thing you really have to do to get it going is plug it in to a power outlet on the wall.
Many of these appliances today have thermostats which allows for the regulation of temperature; this way you can avoid wasting the extra heat that might have been produced by the heater. And when wintertime is over and the weather starts warming up again, the modern portable electric heater is usually so compact that it can easily be stored away unobtrusively until the next winter.
But, there are a few specific things to bear in mind whilst using one of these heaters. Many issues arise with the appliances when individuals do not follow the basic safety precautions that are recommended by the manufacturer (and those which require a bit of common sense).
First of all, ensure the heater is UL listed. There is no point at all in taking risks with an appliance that hasn't been safety rated. Second, ensure items that are flammable are kept away from the heater; fabrics such as curtains and clothes should be maintained at a safe distance, and at least no closer than three feet.
Try not to overload your homes power circuits. Portable electric heaters can be power hogs, so ensure that nothing else is plugged into the same socket as a heater and try and use a recommended surge protection device.
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