Winter is just around the corner and it’s the time we start thinking how to stay warm and keep indoors comfortable and cozy, calling in the need for a room heater. However, with a variety of heaters available to choose from, how do we decide which is the best heater to choose from based on comfort, efficiency, and energy conservation.
Types of Room Heaters
Central heating units aren’t always convenient or within budget for all homes. A room heater helps warm only a certain given area and is best suited for bedrooms, living rooms, or a small office. They are small in size, easy to carry around and come in a variety of designs and styles to blend best with the interior décor theme. Whether you are looking for instant heating or continuous heating through the night, Orpat has a heater for every need.
1. Fan Heaters (Convection Heaters)
Fan heaters are among the most common types of room heater for daily use. Fan heaters work by passing heat over a hot coil, thereby circulating warm air throughout the space. They are small in size, light in weight and easily portable. They are known to provide instant heating in both small and medium sized rooms. Fan heaters however come with few drawbacks of being noisy and making the air dry if used continuously.
Best suited for: Quick heating required in a small bedroom or study.
2. Oil-Filled Radiators
Oil-filled radiators are energy efficient heating systems that emit heat continuously without consuming too much electricity. They are quiet, supply consistent heat, and do not dry out the air, which makes them a good choice to use at night.
Best suited for: Ideal for a bedroom where quiet, consistent heating is required.
3. Quartz / Radiant Heaters
Quartz heaters or the radiant heaters are one of the simplest and effective heating systems that work with use of quartz tubes or heating elements. They radiate heat directly to the people seated in front of the room heater and are ideal to use where localised, focused and quick heating is required. They are light in weight, come with handles and are easy to move around and are apt for smaller spaces.
Best suited for: Dining rooms, study tables, or compact living areas where direct and quick heating is needed.
4. Convector Heaters
Convector heaters are ideal where steady warmth is continuously required. They take in cooler air and pass it through an internal heating element that warms the air and emits back to space. This continuous cycle of convection provides continuous heating in the space making them ideal choices for bedrooms or offices. Some of the latest models also come with adjustable thermostats, timers, and built-in safety mechanisms making it a convenient option for many.
Best suited for: Medium to large bedrooms, offices, or living rooms where quiet and uniform heating is required.
Key Features to Look for in Room Heaters
Choosing the right heater requires one to consider different aspects like safety, energy consumption, and additional features. One must check the below aspects:
- Presence of thermostat control for regulating temperature.
- Overheating cut off is a must to prevent accidents.
- Tip over switch to cut off heating, especially with kids and children around.
- Exterior cool touch surface to avoid burns if touched accidentally.
How to ensure optimum energy efficiency?
- Use heater wisely and appropriately to avoid excessive electricity bills.
- Make sure to keep all windows and doors closed to retain heat indoors.
- Use curtains and carpets to retain heat.
- Ensure regular maintenance of the thermostat at an ideal level than at very high temperature to sustain for a long period of time.
Choosing the right type of heater from a variety of options available is essential keeping in mind different factors like budget, room size, type and duration of heating required. Be it a fast-heating fan type heater to an oil-filled radiator, every heater has its own purpose and benefit. Knowing these benefits and their features helps one pick the right heater for their space. Explore the different types of room heaters available on Orpat to make your space cozy and comfortable with no compromise on design element and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bedrooms require consistent heating through the night and it is ideal to go for oil filled or convector heating that warms the room continuously without drawing too much electricity.
Quartz heaters should be used with caution around children as their heating elements get very hot. For child-safe heating, oil-filled radiators are a better option.
Fan heaters are known to provide quick heat and can consume relatively more heat than the other type of heaters if used for a long period of time. It is ideal if one needs just for a short period of time.
Go for compact fan or quartz heaters when it comes to smaller spaces and choose oil-filled radiators or convector heaters in larger spaces to conserve electricity.
Yes, but only certain models like oil-filled radiators or convector heaters are recommended for overnight use. Always ensure safety features like thermostats and tip-over switches are present.
