Electric heaters are devices that transform electrical energy into heat using various methods and technologies. They operate by converting electrical energy into thermal energy, which is then emitted to the surroundings to raise the room's temperature. There are different types of electric heaters, each with its own characteristics affecting not only their appearance and efficiency but also their electricity consumption.
In the following post, we discuss the issue of which electric heater uses the least electricity and which will be the best choice from a household budget perspective.
Discover the most important types of electric heaters
Electric heaters perfectly fit wherever it's not possible to install other heat sources and when there's a need for effective heating of a given interior.
Currently, the following types of electric heaters are available:
- Convection heaters - They operate based on convection, which is the natural circulation of air in a room. The heater warms the air in contact with its heating elements, causing warmer air to rise and cooler air to fall, resulting in better circulation and even heating of the interior. Heating elements can be made from various materials, such as ceramics, which accumulate heat and release it slowly;
- Oil-filled radiators - These are heaters that use oil as a heat transfer medium. The oil, heated by the heating element inside the heater, circulates in a closed circuit, distributing heat evenly over the entire surface of the device. The heat is then emitted to the environment mainly through radiation but also through convection. Oil radiators are quiet and can retain heat for a long time even after being turned off;
- Halogen heaters - They operate based on infrared radiation. They use halogen lamps to generate heat, which is emitted directly onto people and objects within the heater's range. The heat effect is felt immediately upon turning on the device. Halogen heaters are particularly efficient in heating small spaces or as an additional heat source.
Which heater consumes the least electricity?
Even modern electric heaters are not the most economical solutions, but here too one can distinguish between more or less cost-effective models. If you want to check how much electricity a particular type of heater consumes, check the information on the device's nameplate.
For example, nameplates marked 500, 2000, or even 5000 W indicate how much electricity the heater will consume per hour. However, the final electricity bill depends not only on the device's power but also on how long it was used during the billing period.
It may turn out that heating a room with a small 250 W heater will be more expensive than using one with 1500 W.
Convection heaters
Convection heaters are considered to be low-power-consuming devices because the heat is generated through the circulation of warmed air. This is one of the most popular and frequently used solutions, especially for quickly heating smaller rooms.
A convection heater works on the principle of gravity air flow, which means that cool air enters the heater from below, then once heated, is emitted outside - as mentioned earlier when discussing types of heaters.
Modern convection heaters are equipped with a fan heater, which rapidly distributes warm air inside. These are usually small, portable heaters that support existing heat sources, allowing for optimal thermal comfort. Electricity consumption here mainly depends on the heater's power.
Oil-filled electric heater
If you want to effectively warm the air in a room but do not expect an immediate effect, you might consider purchasing an oil-filled radiator. The special oil inside is heated by generated electrical energy. The oil transfers its heat to the outer casing of the stove, which in turn emits it outside.
The biggest advantage of these types of heaters is that they continue to emit heat for a lengthy period after being disconnected from the power. Oil radiators take a relatively long time to heat up and consume considerable energy during this time. However, since they are radiators that emit warmth long after being unplugged, this solution is quite economical and allows achieving thermal comfort at a relatively reasonable cost.
Ceramic heater
For the ceramic heater, the heating element is a special ceramic panel located inside the casing. The panel warms up quickly and stores the heat efficiently, which is then released outside. Thus, a ceramic heater, like oil models, continues to heat for some time after being unplugged.
In these types of heaters, the most power is consumed when starting and heating up the heater. Later on, the power consumption remains at a slightly lower level, maintaining the ceramic panel at a constant temperature.
How to select an electric heater for a specific room to be economical?
The electricity consumed by an electric heater depends not only on its type but also on several other factors, such as:
- Desired indoor temperature,
- Room size,
- Level of building insulation.
One of the most important factors affecting the ability to achieve the optimal temperature is matching the heater's power to the size of the target room to be heated. Before you go shopping, calculate the heater's power.
Calculating heater power
Each electric heater has a specific power output, which should be matched to the room's volume. Especially if you aim to maintain a constant temperature at a selected level, not just raise it temporarily. It is assumed that the heating requirement is 85 W for every square meter of a room with a height of 2.80 m.
Therefore, to heat a 20 m2 room, you need to invest in an electric heater with a power output of 1700 W. The higher the temperature you want in the room, the more powerful the heater should be.
For well-insulated buildings and rooms, all types of electric heaters will perform excellently.
What electric heater uses the least electricity - summary
It is difficult to point out definitively which energy-efficient electric heater will work best in your home. The same goes for power consumption. It depends on many different factors. Therefore, when searching for the right heating device, pay attention not only to its power but also to how it will be used.
If you're looking for a device to help maintain the room's temperature at a relatively constant level, a heater with a ceramic core or an oil heater is a good choice. A radiative heater emits pleasant warmth even long after being turned off.
On the other hand, if you need a heater to quickly achieve a high temperature, choose a convection heater or fan heater. Cool air flows to the heater and allows for quick heating of the room, which unfortunately also cools down just as quickly after turning off the device. The advantage of this type of heating is that it features relatively low energy consumption and allows for the rapid warming of air.