Comments on: Choosing a Space Heater

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:06:03 +0000

If your goal was to stay warm because, as a result of a medical condition, you perceive the temperature to be lower than it is. This is the most cost effective way for you to feel warmer.

Set your thermostat to 60 degrees to control your costs and keep the building at a resonable temperature. Then use a portable radient heat source. radient energy will pass into your body. You will feel warmer without paying to heat the air around you. You have tryed to heat the air, that doesn’t work for you. It is also too expensive. If you sit in a chair both you and the chair will get warm. When you leave the chair, it’s warmth will then be used to heat the air in the room.

By: Space Heater Reviews

Space Heater Reviews — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:47:38 +0000

@Lucian, I believe you can talk about efficiency related to space heaters. You might be right that the efficiency rate of modern heaters is quite good, maybe up to 99% of used energy can be converted to heat (can’t be 100% obviously, not a perpetuum mobile). But we can definitely state which space heater is more efficient to run in given conditions: convection heaters won’t be efficient in drafty room, I think there is nothing wrong with saying that even if you are pedantic. :)

By: Charles

Charles — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:51:09 +0000

I had to look up the word efficient just to be sure about your post lol. “Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.”

By efficient I think he like myself means the best productivity for the buck.

Certain materials heat faster and longer then others and things like a fan and oscillating help disperse heat better. But I’m realizing if you want to heat a room the a radiator design is the best this takes in the cold air and shoots it our hot rather then just pushing heat through air. So if you want to cook in one spot get a porcelain fan style heater if you want to heat a room get a mica radiator. A big problem is the most “watts” the GOV allows a heater to use is 1500 which is not enough power to heat a full size room with any heater.

By: Claire Colvin

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:07:19 +0000

Lucian, I think you’re splitting hairs here. Clearly in the context of the article the author is using the term “efficient” in the context of “which space heater will give me the most heat for my money”. Gary Foreman is an excellent journalist and has spent years writing about practical ways to stretch a dollar. He’s very good at what he does. You are of course welcome to go to whichever source you prefer for your information, but I have full confidence in Gary, he knows his stuff and I will continue to use his work here. He has helped a lot of people and in times like these, that help is desperately needed.

Claire Colvin
Sr. Ed., Power to Change

By: Lucian

Lucian — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:49:28 +0000

How to tell that a journalist knows nothing about electric space heaters: when he says that one kind is more “efficient” than another. That’s not how electricity works!

The electricity comes from the outlet. The space heater turns it into heat. 100% of the electricity used gets turned into heat. Every electric space heater is 100% efficient. 100% of what you pay for it on your electric bill gets turned into heat.

If someone writes that one electric heater is “more efficient” than another — then they don’t understand electric heaters. Go somewhere else for advice.

By: Doris

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:16:19 +0000

Thanks so much for answering the questions about micathermic heaters! I don’t even know what they are!

By: Space Heater Reviews

Space Heater Reviews — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:44:33 +0000

Hi, the micathermic heaters are something in between convection heaters and radiant heaters (like an oil-filled radiator and an infrared heater combined in one appliance – 70% convection vs 30% radiant). This makes them quite versatile.
Unlike oil-filled heaters, micathermic heaters doesn’t require a long time to heat up and also safety wise they doesn’t impose risk (because only 30% of the heating is radiant heat).
They are not the best choice however for a poorly insulated spaces because still most of the heat generated is by convection which heats the room’s air which is escaping through gap in insulation. For such a places infrared or other radiant heaters are the best choice.

By: Host

Host — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:38:05 +0000

Why doesn’t anyone mention mica tech for heaters. I am trying to decide if I should get this heater but no one compares the different heating elements :(( so annoying.

I’m trying to find what is best for a space heater: MICA, Ceramic, OIL, Radiant, Water, ect..

Thanks,

By: Anon

Anon — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:08:27 +0000

I live in North Carolina and have neurological, medical problems that make me perceive the world to be colder than it really is. I take a warm shower in the morning, and wear two sweaters in the apartment during the day in the winter. I have an electrical heater in the room I am occupying and an electric blanket in my bedroom. I know, I’m not *supposed* to leave the heater on overnight, but I take extra care to make sure there’s nothing anywhere near the heater before I go to bed every night.

By: Jamie

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:45:05 +0000

Thanks for the great links. Lots of good information about heaters.