During the winter, staying warm in your home can be difficult, especially if you don’t own a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Fortunately, electric panel heaters provide efficient and affordable heating options in most rooms of your home. This guide on tips for buying electric panel heaters will help you learn how to choose the right model for your home so you can stay warm this winter.
- Heater Type
The first thing you should consider when buying panel heater is the type of heater you need. Panel heaters are also known as ceramic or forced-air heaters. Each type has its own unique set of benefits, which makes them ideal for different applications.
Ceramic heaters are the most common type of electric heater found in homes today. They’re known for their durability, energy efficiency and affordability. Ceramic heaters can be used to heat the whole room, or just a part of it with spot heating capabilities. Since they do not rely on forced air, their temperature is usually lower than that of forced-air heaters.
When deciding between ceramic and forced-air, it is important to consider the size of your room. In general, a forced-air heater will circulate more air and produce more heat in a large room than a ceramic heater. On the other hand, since there is no forced air circulated within these heaters, they have no moving parts to create noise. This makes them quiet and great for bedrooms.
- Heating Capacity
Once you decide on the type of heater you want, the next thing to consider is how much heat you need. Most electric panel heaters are capable of holding two pieces of standard 500-watt incandescent light bulbs or one piece of 100-watt bulb.
The best size for your home depends on various factors, such as size, features and location. A good rule of thumb is to look for a heater with enough capacity that will cover your entire room until around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).
In general, ceramic heaters are capable of holding several hundred watts before their efficiency begins to decrease. For example, a 500-watt electric heater will achieve 240 degrees Fahrenheit (c. 565 degrees Celsius) at full power.
- Energy-Efficiency
When buying heater for your home, it is important that you consider how energy efficient the model is. When heating a room, it is common for more electricity to be consumed than what your heater actually consumes. This difference between the amount of electricity used and the amount used by the heater is known as standby power loss.
Obviously, the lower your standby power loss is, the more energy efficient your heater will be. Electric heaters use anywhere from 20% to 40% of total electricity consumed in a home.
- Safety Features
As with any electrical appliance, you should also look for safety features when shopping for an electric heater. If you are going to place the heater on a wooden surface such as your desk, it should have a built-in tip-over switch. A tip-over switch will automatically shut off the heater if it is accidentally moved or becomes unstable. Electric heaters are also equipped with a high temperature cut out that shuts the unit off if its internal temperature rises above its safety threshold.
- Noise Level
Many electric heaters have a fan that helps to circulate air and keep the room properly heated. When buying an electric heater, it is important to consider the noise level. Some electric heater models are designed to be quiet, while others are designed to be used in large rooms.
In general, forced-air heaters are louder than ceramic heaters due to their faster fan speed. However, with proper use and maintenance, your heater should provide you with years of enjoyment and comfort.