There is no better way to supplement your central heating system than using a room space heater. These types of equipment can quickly and effectively provide warmth in your room and help lower your heating bills.
However many homeowners still don’t know the most important factors to consider when they go shopping for space heaters.
Here are things you need to look for when buying a space heater for a large room.
Heater Type
Before you can choose an electric heater for your home, you want to know the type of heat it produces.
Many room heaters come in three styles: convection, infrared and fan-forced heaters.
For even, whole-room heating, it is recommended that you choose convection heaters. For quick, spot heating for small, confined rooms, go for infrared heaters. Fan-forced heaters are those that use a fan to distribute heat across your room.
So, to get the best out if your space heater, it must be the right type for your application and suitable for your home.
Room Size
The size of the room you want the heater to cover is another important thing you need to consider before choosing a space heater. This is not difficult to calculate because most heaters have a wattage rating.
Typically, for one square foot of space, a room heater will require about 10 watts of heating power to heat that room. That means If you have a 100 square foot of space to heat, you will need to select a 1000-watt heater, only to be used to supplement the primary heating unit.
Remember, this guideline is only a rough estimate that doesn’t apply to all models. Contemporary heaters use different technologies, and people use these appliances differently which might cause the heater to cover more or less space.
Energy Efficiency
Everybody wants a heater that works without causing a spike in their energy bills. Therefore, if you’re going to keep your house warm using an electric heater and at the same time maintain a low heating cost, you need to compare the energy efficiency of various heaters before choosing one.
Even though space heaters lack a standard level of efficiency like the EER ratings found on portable AC systems, it is still easy to determine how efficient your heater will be, and how much you’ll need to spend each month.
Also, you can prevent your energy cost from skyrocketing by choosing the right type of heater for your home application and determining the size of your space.
Today, most heaters are designed with unique features such as energy saving modes, adjustable thermostats, low wattage, and programmable timers which are meant to help minimize power usage and contribute to economical operation.
Safety Features
Space heaters are the second leading cause of house fires. That should tell you that these units can be dangerous if not used properly. Therefore, it is essential to consider safety.
The good thing is many manufacturers equip their electric heaters with safety features such as overheat protection, automatic shut-off, timer, and cool-to-touch surfaces. All these features serve to reduce the risk of fires and burns, especially if you have kids or pets in your home.
Keeping your home warm during the winter is essential for your health. At QualityHomeAirCare.com, we are committed to helping homeowners maintain a fresh and healthy indoor environment for their families.