The Many Different Types of Space Heaters

There are many choices when it comes to efficient heating: space vs. garage heaters, electric vs. fuel heaters, and so on. Even when you choose to use an electric space heater, you are forced to choose between the different types of space heaters. Here's a run down of the 5 different types you can choose from:

1. Fireplace heaters: These heaters are the next best type of warmth for those of you who want the beauty and aesthetics of a real wood-burning fireplace without having to worry about the mess it makes. They use 90% less energy than fuel heaters, and they only cost a few cents per hour to operate! To read more about fireplace heaters, take a look at one of our previous posts.
2. Reflective or radiant heaters: These heaters only heat objects and people right in front of them, so they don't waste any energy when keeping you warm. Units like the NewAir AH-320E produce warmth that replicates the sun's rays for healthy heating!
3. Oil-filled heaters: These radiator heaters heat up a reservoir of oil to keep you feeling warm in the coldest of winters. The oil never needs to be replaced or refilled, so maintanence is a breeze! Radiator heaters like the NewAir AH-450 space heater are excellent spot heaters that keep objects and people around them warm and comfortable.
4. Ceramic heaters: This type of space heater is the most popular because a ceramic heater always stays cool and provides focused heating on areas that need it the most. Units like the Honeywell HZ-315 operate quietly and efficiently to bring warmth into areas with an insufficient heat source.
5. Micathermic heaters: These heaters combine radiant and convection heating to provide safe heat. Micathermic heaters prevent energy loss by warming up almost immediately. Units like the Soleus HM2-15R-32 don't overheat easily while providing instantaneous warmth.

Electric vs. Fuel Heaters

When purchasing a heater, is it rather difficult to decide which features are the most important. One of the most common questions surrounding heaters is the one concerning the different types of heaters: heaters that run on electricity and heaters that run on fuel. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages:

Electric heaters:

• are much less expensive.
• are easy to maintain.
• don’t emit pollutants or chemicals into the air.
• can be costly when used very often.
• have all passed rigid safety tests.
• feature many different safety features, including tip-over safety switches and overheat shut-off features.
• usually have lower surface temperatures.
• are relatively silent.
• can feature fans to speed up airflow.

Propane heaters:

• are perfect for instantaneous heat in large, well-ventilated areas.
• operate efficiently by using combustion to directly heat areas.
• don’t waste energy “heating up.”
• provide much more heat than electric heaters.
• are much more cost-effective for larger areas such as warehouses and construction sites.
• are not suitable for areas that are closed off, as they may emit carbon monoxide.

If you are still having a difficult time deciding which type of heater to use, you can even settle for the middle ground: kerosene heaters. These heaters run on fuel as well as electricity. They burn cleaner than propane heaters and warm more area than electric heaters. Kerosene heaters, like those that run on propane, should be used in well-ventilated areas such as patios and backyards, as they also emit carbon monoxide.

Stay Warm in the Office with an Under-Desk Heater!

Nowadays, many Americans spend most of their time at work, in their respective offices. Unfortunately, the temperature is one thing that most people can’t control at work. When the office feels too cold, all you can do is rub your hands and feet or put on a thin jacket. Instead of having a hard time maintaining a comfortable temperature, you should try to use low-wattage under-desk space heater! These units don’t take up a lot of space, use very little energy, and keep you warm throughout the day!

One of the best ways to stay warm is to keep your feet warm, as we see with people who put on a pair of socks to warm up. Personal space and feet heaters such as the FW insulated heat mat by Indus Tool keep your feet warm, and the heat then travels up to the rest of your body. This heating mat can also help you dry your socks and shoes on rainy or snowy days with its ability to warm up to 130 degrees! Best of all, the FW insulated heat mat weighs a mere 6 pounds and uses less than 120 watts of energy!

The SoleAire personal foot heater from Vornado is one of the most trusted of feet heaters - and coolers -in the heating market. This personal space heater offers surface bumps on the tops and sides of the unit for a passive foot massage that even promotes better posture! Only consuming a maximum of 225, the SoleAire can be used year-round with its fan-only function, so you don't have to worry about the hot office days, either!

If you have a little bit more room, you can try to use the AH-400 NewAir space heater to stay warm. This personal heater offers adjustable temperature control as well as an overheat protection feature for optimum heating efficiency. This space heater uses oil-filled radiator heating technology, which means that the oil in the sealed reservoir is warmed and never needs to be replaced. You can use this heater in your office for years!

Don't let the office temperature affect the way you work - use an under-desk space heater to stay focused and awake no matter how cold it is around you!

Tips for Efficient Heating

Contrary to popular belief, it is actually very easy to save energy and money during seasonal months. Now that winter is nearing, you may be worried about your bills taking a big chunk out of your wallet. You can stop worrying because you can actually keep your bills low and your home warm in many different ways with little to no hassle!

1. Keep your curtains open during the day and closed during the night. Keeping your curtains open during the day let the sun's rays warm up your home without costing you a single penny! At night, you'll want to keep the shades closed to reduce heat loss and to keep the heat trapped inside your home.

2. Use a programmable thermostat to maintain the temperature in your home. Thermostats like the Honeywell TH8321 help you control the temperature depending on how often you're home. By setting the temperature a little lower when you're not home, you can easily save money and energy. Studies show that you can save up to 33% on your bills by reducing the temperature by a mere 3 degrees!

3. Use a tankless water heater like the Stiebel Eltron DHC 5-2 to boil water instead of a water heater that features a tank. Tankless water heaters use less energy because they keep the water at a constant heated temperature and they use up to 50% less power! If you have a larger home, the Tempra-36 by Stiebel Eltron can easily provide hot water for a home with up to 4 bedrooms! Also, though most tankless water heaters can reach up to 140 degrees, it is wise to keep yours at about 120. This prevents scalding as well!

4. If your central heating just isn't cutting it for you, use an electric space heater instead of turning up your heating unit. Setting the thermostat to a higher temperature won't warm up your home any faster; it will only make you pay more money.

5. If you're looking for an efficient yet decorative way to keep your home warm, you might consider electric fireplaces such as the NewAir AH-510E and the DeLonghi SFG1031. These beautiful, realistic fireplaces make your living room look and feel warm and comfortable. Refer back to this post if you want to find out more information about electric fireplace heaters!

Overall, it is rather simple to keep heating costs down and heating effectiveness up. With these tips and tricks, you'll be keeping your home warm while paying a lot less!

The Benefits of Using a Fireplace Heater

NewAir, DeLonghi, Muskoka, and now even Dimplex are all carrying the next-best alternative to a real fireplace - an electric fireplace heater! These beautiful units surprise everyone by providing a warm surge of heat and adding an extra touch of class to your home without the mess of a real fireplace! Here are some reasons why electric fireplace heaters are one of the most popular choices when it comes to heating homes:

These units are extremely safe and easy to use. Because, of course, they are not real fireplaces, electric fireplace heaters do not feature the mess that comes with using an authentic fireplace. There are no combustion or carbon monoxide emissions and - best of all - there is no smoke or ashes, making them perfect for those with asthma and sensitive noses. These heaters also use 90% less energy than gas and still manage to produce incredibly realistic flames. The heat comes out from the bottom of the unit and the glass doors are cool to the touch, meaning that curious hands won't accidentally get burnt or harmed! Units like the Dimplex DS5629 and the NewAir AH-500 are fully assembled the moment they arrive at your front door. You just have to plug them into any standard household outlet to feel immediate warmth!

Electric fireplace heaters save you money. All of the compact stove heaters from Dimplex only cost $0.03 an hour to operate without heat. This option can be a great asset for those who only want to see the realistic flames during the warmer seasons without turning on the heat. When the weather outside is colder, you can turn on the heat for only $0.05 more. Not only are you saving energy and helping the environment, but you also save money for yourself!

If you have a fireplace that is ineffectual or too compact, your best bet would be an electric fireplace insert like the Dimplex DFI2309. This insert fits right into fireplaces that run from about 10 to 15 inches deep!

Some of the electric fireplace heaters even have amazing, extremely advanced features. The GEF28WCDO fireplace heater from Muskoka features a cleverly concealed built-in wine cooler to store wines and other items! The GEF282ABL offers an integrated audio system with the fireplace to keep your home feeling comfortable and peaceful at all times!

Purchase an electric fireplace heater today and see what you've been missing out on!

Tankless Electric Water Heaters: The Truth, The Myth, The Legend

Tankless electric water heaters provide hot water only when it is needed. Unlike tank-type water heater, they don't produce standby energy losses that cost you money. How they work is that the hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe and into the unit, and an electric element heats the water to deliver a constant supply of hot water.

Keep in mind that tankless electric water heaters typically provide hot water at a rate of 2-5 gallons (7.6 – 15.2 liters) per minute. Smaller tankless electric water heaters are not meant to supply enough hot water for simultaneous, multiple use in large households. This means that there will not be enough hot water supplied if someone is taking a shower and the dishwasher is running at the same time. To overcome the insufficient supply of hot water produced by smaller tankless electric water heaters you can install a whole house type tankless electric water heater, install two or more tankless electric water heaters or install separate tankless electric water heaters for appliances that use a lot of hot water.

Tankless electric water heaters are so beneficial because they are extremely energy efficient. For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, tankless electric water heaters can be 24 percent to 34 percent more energy efficient than tank-type water heaters. For homes that use around 86 gallons per day they can be 8 percent to 14 percent more energy efficient. If you install a tankless water heater at each hot water outlet, you can achieve an even greater energy savings or 27 percent to 50 percent.

It is important to consider factors like location, size, demand and application before purchasing a tankless electric water heater. Make sure you are purchasing a tankless water heater with the correct voltage and amperage and that you have a circuit or circuits that will support your heater. It may even be necessary to put the tankless electric water heater on its own circuit or circuits. Also consider where you will be using the tankless electric water heater and how much hot water that location uses. Each fixture has specific demands that must be met to ensure the greatest efficiency and optimal operation.

One especially important factor is the flow rate. Tankless electric water heaters generate a temperature rise based on the flow rate demanded. Also consider the ambient incoming water temperature. This can be affected by the climate you live in. The most important thing to find out is how much temperature rise you will need in order for your hot water to reach the desired heat.

Tankless electric water heaters should be properly installed and maintained for proper operation and energy efficiency. This means it is imperative that you hire a qualified and license plumbing and heating contractor. Request cost estimates in writing, ask for references, check the company with your local Better Business Bureau and confirm that the company will obtain a local permit if necessary when you hire a contractor. Following all of these guidelines should ensure that your tankless electric water heater lasts the entirety of its 20 year life expectancy.

Stay Stylish and Warm

Space heaters are a great and efficient way to provide you with the heat that you need. Yet there does seem to be one major problem with space heaters, they tend to be major eye sores. They are usually designed to be placed in corners or under desks. The problem with this is that it often limits the amount of heat because of their placement. Luckily, Deco Breeze has created the Deco Heat line of low wattage space heaters. Each one is uniquely designed and offers a gorgeous finish that can compliment just about any room. They are light weight and made specifically to be placed just about anywhere. They camouflage their way into just about any room, allowing you enjoy a gentle, oscillating heat that works so well you quickly forget where the heat is coming from.

The Deco Heat DHH0385 Rococco Decorative Oscillating Space Heater

Unique and Stylish Design:
While each model in the Deco Heat line offers the same amount of power, safety features and options, the best benefit is that each Deco Heat model has a unique and gorgeous design that can fit any room perfectly. One of the most popular models is the DHH0385 Rococco. Rococco is a specific design that was made famous in 18th century France. It is extremely stylish and features a carved floral pattern that surrounds the entire heater.

Powerful and Petite:
The DHH0385 uses a heating filament with reflective metallic dish to provide gentle and relaxing heat. It is extremely energy efficient and has an expected life of 5,000 hours. There are two settings to provide you with heating options. Standard is great for more localized heating, while oscillating spreads the heat around to evenly warm the rest of the room. It operates extremely quietly and uses a low amount of energy to help keep your energy bill down.

This space heater is perfect for just about anywhere. Standing at 19 inches, this petite and lightweight heater is ideal for desk and table placement. The 8 inch diameter dish provides a surprisingly large amount of heat for such a small dish. Best of all this dish has adjustable tilt so that you can focus the heat exactly where you need it the most.

Very Safe:
This space heater is extremely safe. It boasts two safety features to keep you and your loved ones safe. The overheat protection stops power incase it begins to over heat. The tip-over safety switch is great as it will cut power incase it ever accidently gets knocked over.

Our Opinion:
The Deco Heat DHH0385 is a great all around low wattage space heater. It works perfectly and gives you the heat that you deserve. But in this reviewer’s opinion, the DHH0385 Rococc design works best for him as it adds a touch of class to just about any room. But feel free to find the Deco Heat style that fits your room the best.

Big Heat Can Come in Small Packages

Space Heaters

When thinking about heaters, large bulky items often tend to come to mind. So what are your options when you need to heat smaller areas? Space heaters are a good solution to this problem. They use low amounts of energy and are often portable or wall mountable.

When purchasing space heaters it is important to look at electric ones to help avoid high prices and carbon monoxide poisoning. Space heaters have come a long way since the 1970s. Newer models use ceramic designs to eliminate potential threats of fires or burns. They also include safety features such as tip over safety switches and thermal cutoff switches to further decrease chances of a mishap.

Many space heaters now rely on convection heating. Convection heating is the heating of air in the immediate air next to the heater. As the air heats, it rises and then pushes the cold air down for that air to be heated until the air in your room or house is totally warm. Space heaters also tend to use radiant technology which is the heating of immediate objects until the room gets warm. They are very cost effective. Our staff has reviewed and tested numerous space heater and have posted a recommendation of an exemplary space heater.

What we recommend:

Vornado's new DVTH digital portable heater generates just the right amount of heat to meet your particular needs, in fact it was rated "BEST OVERALL" by Good Housekeeping. Vorndao heaters use vortex action technology to fully circulate the warm air silently within minutes. The DVTH has digital controls and uses automatic climate control to provide a continuous stream of heat without constant fluctuations. It adjusts the heat output and fan speed higher or lower at all times to maintain the set temperature to stop hot and cold cycles where the heater shuts off allowing the room to cool and then turns back on to heat the room up again.

The Vornado DVTH portable heater uses a top-mounted, easily accessible digital control panel that is simple to understand and operate. The LCD display tracks temperature and speed settings. There is variable heat output of 800 or 1500 watts that is housed by a contemporary design. Extremely energy-efficient this unit uses a cool-touch exterior and has triple safety features of tip-over and over-heat protection and an automatic safety shutoff. Even in use it is extremely cool to the touch exterior to provide worry-free use.

Baseboard Heaters: Portable or Built-In?

As the cold season begins to set in, it is important to be well prepared. For years, people have looked to electric heaters to keep them and their families warm, during the cold months. Yet purchasing a heater can be confusing sometimes. Whether it be wall, space or baseboard it is important to purchase the right kind of heater the suits you. The first rate staff at Air-N-Water have been researching and testing multiple heaters and have posted their results online.

Base Board Heaters

Electric baseboard heaters are heaters designed to line the wall and provide heat for the entire room by using convection heat to circulate the air. As the baseboard heater heats the immediate air, it begins to rise and the cold air begins to fall to the floor, only to be immediately heated and continue this trend until your room is warm and toasty. Baseboard heaters traditionally have 500 watts to 1500 watts of power and usually cover anywhere between 50 to 150 square feet. They are extremely easy to maintain and often have a circuit breaker to prevent over heating. Up keep is generally easy and revolves around minor cleaning and the removal of dust and lint.

Baseboard heaters are generally quiet and there is never any type of threat from ember or sparks. There are differences between models, perhaps the biggest being whether they are hard wired or portable. But what are the differences between them? Which one is the better choice?

The main difference between portable and hard wired heaters is portability and power. Generally speaking portable heaters offer less heat then hard wired ones. Portable models are easy to take with you letting you place them effortlessly from room to room without worrying about any installation. Of course there are exceptions depending on the model. We have provided two reviews of products that are exemplary in each category.




Hard Wired Baseboard Heater

The Qmark HBB500 baseboard heater is perfect for households with kids and pets. It sports a sheathed electric heating element that is totally immersed in a heat-transfer liquid and sealed in a heater-length copper tube. Its large diameter reservoir maximizes the volume of heat storage fluid to prolong the thermal constant of the entire heater. It heats even after it is turned off to save you energy and keep your house warm. It easily attaches to any wall no matter what flooring you are using.

The low operating temperature allows carpet to be installed up to and around the baseboard. Heavy-duty welded steel louvered grilles discourage insertion of foreign objects and direct heat outward into the room. It features a built-in cut off feature to prevent any potential damage.

Portable Baseboard Heaters

The Fahrenheat FBE15002 portable electric baseboard heater is a safe low-profile heater that fits perfectly against the baseboard for use in any room. Its neutral off-white finish fits in home with any decor. It has carrying handles is great for easy mobility. The built-in thermostat is great for constant regulating of the temperature. The FBE15002 features a full-length sensor that automatically shuts off the heater if it becomes blocked and begins to over heat. Heavy-duty construction provides unfailing durability. The manufacturer's protects against any unforeseen problems. Best of all it pumps out 5,200 BTUS of power with its twin 1000/1500 watt output settings.

Is There Such a Thing as a Versatile Heater?

There are a great variety of heaters, from wall to garage heaters, and from baseboard to space heaters. A big reason for this is that heaters tend not to be versatile. You often need to pick a specific heater for a specific need. Baseboard heaters can not double as a wall heater, just like electric heaters are different from propane heaters. It can get confusing about which heater is best for your situation. However, because of new discoveries in micathermic technology, heaters now have the ability to be extremely versatile. Our staff has taken the time to research micrathermic heaters and have provided a brief synopsis of their benefits, plus we have included a review of an exemplary product that contains all the important properties of what to expect from micathermic heaters.

Micathermic Heaters

So what exactly is micathermic technology? The main component of micathermic heating is the mineral mica. Mica has a high dielectric strength and is extremely resistant to heat and can withstand temperature up to 900 Celsius making it a perfect component for heaters. The Mica mineral can supply up to 99% heat to the air instantly even at its thinnest of 0.5 mm. It never overheats or dehumidifies which sets it apart from many other types of heaters.

The heat it provides is a different sort of heat too. Micathermic heat crosses between radiant and convection and is described as a constant heat. The heat it does provide has been compared to the way a flood light provides light and feels much more like heat from the sun itself, actually warming objects not just the air itself. The very nature of micathermic technology makes it extremely cost effective and requires minimum energy to heat up large surface areas. Additionally, Mica’s properties make it extremely space efficient which is why you will often see these heaters in a flat design allowing for them to be hung on walls.

What We Recommend:

We recommend the Soleus HGW-308R Wall Mounted Micathermic Heater. It is extremely space effective and has the capacity to hang on your wall for maximum efficiency and range. It’s micathermic technology allows it to heat silently and use a minimal amount of energy to heat your room. In fact, it comes with an energy saving mode to reduce energy output when not it use. It has been labeled an eco-friendly, product.

The Soleus HGW-308R has a remote control and a digital thermostat for easy temperature setting. Two safety features come included with this model. The first is an overheat safety feature that will shut the unit down automatically incase any internal wiring or electrical components begin to overheat. The second is a safety switch that will shut the unit down if knocked over or items are placed immediately over it that would prevent the heat from escaping. Its low temperature surface will remove the fear of potential burns from users or small children. The Soleus HGW-308R is a reliable micathermic heater and has plenty of included add on features to separate it above the rest.