Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.
Oil-filled convection heaters are especially efficient because they retain heat for longer periods of time, but they get hot to the touch and don't warm the room immediately.
Radiant heaters are considered the best option for health, as they provide direct warmth to objects and people without heating the surrounding air. This method reduces the circulation of dust and allergens, making it ideal for individuals with respiratory issues.
While all electric heaters are equally efficient at point of use, that doesn't mean they're all the same. Programming and heating technology add a lot in the way of efficiency, so it's worth keeping this in mind when it comes to purchasing your next electric heater.
What type of heater puts out the most heat? The type of heater that puts out the most heat depends on various factors, but generally, infrared heaters (such as the radiant heaters in this article) are known for emitting a significant amount of heat.
Quartz infrared heaters offer very fast heat-up and cool down times. Ceramic heaters, however, require more time to heat circulating air and warm up the room via convection. Quartz heaters can be used to create quieter heating equipment as in most cases air movement from noisy convection blowers is not needed.
Convection heaters come in a variety of sizes and heat up quickly, making them a good option for warming up a room fast. These heaters use different types of heating elements internally, such as ceramic, to heat the air around them.
In other words, a 1,500-watt heater will be great for a 250-square-foot room with central heat. If that same room had no other source of heat, you'd need a 2,000-watt heater.
But in general, since central heating powered by natural gas is cheaper than heat from electricity, heating a large space will cost less with an HVAC system that runs on gas.
Example (you can use an electric heater running cost calculator below for different wattages/kWh prices): If we assume the price of electricity is $0.1319 per kWh, a 1,500-watt electric space heater will cost; $0.20 to run per hour. $4.80 to run per 24 hours (day). $11.20 to run per week (8h/day).
What is the safest heater to leave on overnight? While it's not recommended to leave any space heater on if you're not monitoring it, oil-filled, radiant space heaters are considered safer than ceramic convection (hot air) types, according to Roberson. Both of these options are safer than open-coil heaters.
Oil Heaters
The oil, acting as a heat reservoir, then gradually releases the heat into the surrounding space, providing a steady and consistent source of warmth. This option offers safe and gentle heating for long, unattended use.
If you want to save money on your heating costs, then an infrared heater is the best type of heater to choose. An infrared heater will use less electricity than any other type of heater, and so it will be cheaper to run. Not only that, but an infrared heater will also provide you with a more efficient form of heat.
Regardless of the cost, here's the kicker: all 750-watt or 1,500-watt heaters produce the same amount of heat!
If you use a space heater in your home, please be aware that using a space heater can cause a significant increase in your monthly bill. A 1,000-watt space heater operating 12 hours a day will add about $40 to your monthly bill. If the cost does not deter you, remember how important it is to use space heaters safely.
Radiant heaters emit infrared radiation that directly heats objects and people within their line of sight, and are a more efficient choice when you will be in a room for only a few hours and can stay within the line of sight of the heater.
Tower heaters have a larger heating radius, allowing you to distribute the heat around a larger room. These space heaters are tall and slim, which means you don't have to place them on a table to get heat higher in the room.
While smaller 750W heaters are suitable for personal spaces, 1500W models can effectively heat larger rooms. Your location significantly impacts operating costs, with northern states seeing higher usage due to longer heating seasons.
The first technique is to simply figure the square footage of the space you want to heat. In warmer climates, multiply this number by 10 - 15. In more moderate climates, multiply by 20 - 30. And in cold climates multiply the square foot number by 30 - 40.
Running a space heater overnight increases the risk of fire. If the unit is left unattended or placed too close to flammable materials, such as curtains or bedding, it can ignite and lead to a devastating fire.
Energy-Saving Features
Space heaters tend to use a lot of electricity and energy only to heat up a small portion of space. However, ceramic heaters tend to be the most energy-efficient option among different types of heaters.
Are Oil-Filled Heaters Efficient? Short Answer: yes. Most modern oil-filled radiators have a thermostat, allowing you more control over how warm the room becomes. Many also have different operating modes, including an ECO mode that cycles the unit on and off to keep the temperature consistent.