Electric heaters are heating devices that use electrical energy to produce heat. They operate by converting electrical energy into thermal energy, which is then emitted into the environment to heat living, office, industrial, or other spaces.
Nowadays, you can choose from many different types of electric heaters, so selecting the right model to suit your needs should not be a problem.
In this post, we present the types of electric heaters and suggest what to pay attention to in order to choose the right device to meet your expectations.
Discover the types of popular electric heaters
The most popular electric heaters available on the market are:
- convector heaters: this is one of the simplest solutions, allowing for quick and efficient heating of a room. This type of heater works on the principle of convection, which involves the natural circulation of air in the room due to temperature differences. This mechanism relies on two physical phenomena: warmer air is less dense than cooler air, so it rises, while cooler, heavier air falls;
- oil heaters: these are devices inside which there is a special oil that transfers energy to the heater walls when heated. Such heaters are relatively safe to use, evenly distribute heat, and remain warm for some time after being switched off;
- ceramic heaters: they work in a similar way to oil heaters – the ceramic insert inside heats up and gradually releases heat to the outside;
- halogen heaters (radiators): they use the phenomenon of infrared radiation emission. Their advantage is that they heat up quickly. They are suitable for small spaces.
Which type of heater you choose depends mainly on the size of the room and how quickly you want to heat it.
Differences and similarities in the operation of electric heaters
Before choosing a specific heater, it is worth learning about the differences between them. This will help you buy the best electric heater tailored to your needs.
Read on to learn how various types of heaters differ.
The operation of different types of heaters
This is how different types of heaters work:
- convection – a convector heater heats the air flowing through the device. It may have a built-in fan that efficiently blows out warm air;
- heat radiation – oil and ceramic heaters first warm up and then gradually release heat into the surroundings;
- radiation – halogen heaters heat up a filament, which emits heat in the form of infrared light, thus warming the environment.
Time it takes for electric heaters to warm up
If you want to feel pleasant warmth immediately after turning on the heater, various types of radiators will be the best choice. A red-hot heating element emits heat instantly.
Similarly, a convector heater works: the gravitational flow of air means that within just a few moments of turning it on, you will feel warm air. This way, you can quite quickly heat a small room, such as a bathroom.
Ceramic and oil heaters need a bit more time for the heating elements inside them to reach the right temperature - it takes 30 to 60 minutes. Once they warm up, they will emit pleasant warmth for quite a long time.
A few words about the technical parameters of electric heaters
Individual electric heaters differ not only in their mode of operation. Before purchasing them, it is also worth paying attention to the key technical parameters that affect the efficiency of the selected device.
On the packaging of each electric heater, you will find the following parameters:
- power: the higher the power of the device, the faster and more effective the heating will be, but it also results in significantly increased power consumption;
- built-in thermostat: allows for easy temperature regulation, which in turn allows for energy savings, as the heater operates at full power only when necessary. The thermostat allows you to adjust the heater operation to the desired temperature;
- purpose: which type of heater you choose largely depends on where it will be used, i.e., the size of the room. A small electric heater will work well as an additional element wherever there is already standard heating;
- additional features: some heaters have additional features such as programmers, remote controls that allow remote control of the device, or even window opening detectors. Such solutions definitely increase the comfort of using the heaters;
- device size: electric heaters come in many sizes to choose from. When shopping, however, it is worth paying attention to the fact that a large electric heater does not necessarily have to have more power;
- length of the power cord: contrary to appearances, this is quite an important feature, especially if we are buying an electric heater that will not be permanently attached to the wall or floor. The ability to move the device freely without having to unplug it allows you to quickly heat up a designated area of the room;
- heater construction: it depends on whether a given heater can be conveniently moved to another room, or if it will be permanently attached. For portable devices, check if they come with a convenient handle, and for heavier models, wheels.
How to choose an energy-efficient electric heater?
The main advantage of electric heaters is their efficiency and ease of use – you just need to plug them in. The biggest disadvantage is the cost of electricity consumption.
The main factor that determines the amount of electricity consumed is, of course, the power of the device. However, there are additional aspects to keep in mind.
- matching the heater's power to the size of the room and the actual heat demand. Before you choose a specific model, learn how to select an electric heater for a room, by calculating the heating power requirement;
- correct use of the thermostat – a heater used for supplemental heating does not need to operate continuously. Set the thermostat - choose the optimal temperature for yourself, and the device will turn on automatically when it drops;
- ensure that heat does not escape from the heated room – remember to close doors and windows while the device is working. In cooler months, switch windows to winter mode;
- good building insulation is particularly important when using electric heaters. The better it is, the less the heater has to work, and thus the energy demand will be reduced.
If you are considering purchasing an electric heater to maintain a constant temperature, it is worth considering choosing the right electricity tariff. This is particularly useful for oil or ceramic electric heaters.
The best electric heaters
Our online store Mexen also offers heating devices designed for specific rooms. Here, you will find both bathroom heaters and room heaters.
Bathroom heaters
The widest category consists of bathroom heaters, which allow you to maintain optimal thermal comfort in the bathroom, and can also function as a towel dryer.
This type of heater works by heating water or a special fluid contained in the arms. These devices heat up fairly quickly and emit heat even after being disconnected from the power.
The undeniable advantage of Mexen's available products is the wide selection of types and models of heaters in many colors. This allows you to choose a device that not only meets your heating expectations but also becomes a bathroom decoration.
Room heaters
In this category, you will find a classic electric radiator (plate heater) designed to be hung on the wall. Electric heaters are made of aluminum, which heats up very quickly and transfers heat to the surroundings.
Mexen offers models of various sizes and power outputs, allowing you to choose an electric heater tailored to your individual needs. You can choose from models in white or black.
Which electric heater to choose?
The final decision on which electric heater to choose must be made independently. It will depend on many factors, which we had the opportunity to mention earlier.
To fully utilize the potential of the device, you should select the power of the electric heater according to the size of the room.
When choosing a specific heater model, you should pay particular attention to its power - higher energy consumption translates to higher electricity bills.