Romeo
I have three questions regarding electric heaters.
1 - Is there a difference between electric heater and radiant heater ?
when i think of electric heater, this is what i mean - >
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| http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00dMoQBajslkGO/Electric-Heater-OC-2000-SF-.jpg |
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When i think of radiant heater, this is what i mean - >
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| http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/177994_lg.jpg |
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2 - Are electric/radiant heaters quieter than fan-heaters ?
3 - Does electric/radiant heaters use more electricity than fan-heaters and air-conditioner ?
(if so, how much more do they use ? Would it be much more expensive or a little bit more expensive ?)
Thank you.
Answer
Short answer: nearly all "room size" plug-in electric heaters here in the US consume 1500 watts @ 110 volts. Built-in electric heat (such as baseboard or in-wall) as well as a electric central heat are 220 volt and more economical to operate (typically rated at 5000, 10000 or more watts).
Tedious detail: "radiant" heaters supposedly radiate their heat to warm objects in the room rather than heating the air . . . . . while a "convection" type heats the air in the room. Most convection types are fan forced (central hot-air heating is convection heat . . . . . central hot-water heating is radiant heat).
Radiant heat can be a steadier heat - while convection heat can be spotty (ie you feel warmer when it is running with a fan on/cooler when off) ........... but fan boosted heat can warm a room faster than a radiator.
A plug-in electric space heater can be either pure radiant heat (you're looking at the heating element which usually has a reflector behind it to "radiate" the heat in the right direction) . . . . .or it can be fan-boosted convection type . . . . . and most often a combination.
Old plug-in heaters of the 30s & 40s were usually 100% radiant and used metal heating coils, like a light bulb or stove burner. Many newer ones use quartz tubes instead of metal coils - that appears to be what is shown in both of your photos. Quartz tubes have an advantage of heating-up quickly - - so quickly that they can actually "pulse" on-and-off producing a uniform heat while using less electricity. The downside is that the quartz tubes burn-out and need replacing from time-to-time. The popular "Edenpure" type heaters are really quartz tube heaters enclosed in a cabinet - the quartz tubes in the Edenpure cycle on-and-off, but radiate their heat to a copper plate which releases it in a uniform flow.
If you have access to Consumer Reports or their Annual Buying Guide: CR periodically tests space heaters. They generally don't think that the "Edenpure" or "Amish Fireplace" style heaters are worth the expense. They eliminated some makes & models from consideration for safety reasons. We bought the "low profile" unit made by Honeywell that they've recommended for a couple years: it uses an electric strip heating element and can be used with-or-without the enclosed fan - the idea is to use the fan to quickly heat a cold room, then use without fan for a quiet, uniform heat. We're very satisfied.
You mentioned an air-conditioner - - - - a "heat pump" is just a reversible air-conditioner. Very convenient source of heat - if you are in a temperate climate, but not very efficient in a cold climate where winter temps stay below about 45 degrees F . . . . in fact, most heat-pump installations have electric resistance heat as a back-up.
Short answer: nearly all "room size" plug-in electric heaters here in the US consume 1500 watts @ 110 volts. Built-in electric heat (such as baseboard or in-wall) as well as a electric central heat are 220 volt and more economical to operate (typically rated at 5000, 10000 or more watts).
Tedious detail: "radiant" heaters supposedly radiate their heat to warm objects in the room rather than heating the air . . . . . while a "convection" type heats the air in the room. Most convection types are fan forced (central hot-air heating is convection heat . . . . . central hot-water heating is radiant heat).
Radiant heat can be a steadier heat - while convection heat can be spotty (ie you feel warmer when it is running with a fan on/cooler when off) ........... but fan boosted heat can warm a room faster than a radiator.
A plug-in electric space heater can be either pure radiant heat (you're looking at the heating element which usually has a reflector behind it to "radiate" the heat in the right direction) . . . . .or it can be fan-boosted convection type . . . . . and most often a combination.
Old plug-in heaters of the 30s & 40s were usually 100% radiant and used metal heating coils, like a light bulb or stove burner. Many newer ones use quartz tubes instead of metal coils - that appears to be what is shown in both of your photos. Quartz tubes have an advantage of heating-up quickly - - so quickly that they can actually "pulse" on-and-off producing a uniform heat while using less electricity. The downside is that the quartz tubes burn-out and need replacing from time-to-time. The popular "Edenpure" type heaters are really quartz tube heaters enclosed in a cabinet - the quartz tubes in the Edenpure cycle on-and-off, but radiate their heat to a copper plate which releases it in a uniform flow.
If you have access to Consumer Reports or their Annual Buying Guide: CR periodically tests space heaters. They generally don't think that the "Edenpure" or "Amish Fireplace" style heaters are worth the expense. They eliminated some makes & models from consideration for safety reasons. We bought the "low profile" unit made by Honeywell that they've recommended for a couple years: it uses an electric strip heating element and can be used with-or-without the enclosed fan - the idea is to use the fan to quickly heat a cold room, then use without fan for a quiet, uniform heat. We're very satisfied.
You mentioned an air-conditioner - - - - a "heat pump" is just a reversible air-conditioner. Very convenient source of heat - if you are in a temperate climate, but not very efficient in a cold climate where winter temps stay below about 45 degrees F . . . . in fact, most heat-pump installations have electric resistance heat as a back-up.
What is better and more economical than a wood burning fireplace? gas, electric or pellet?
geewiz
We currently have a wood burning fireplace. We would like to get an insert. Any suggestions as to electric or gas or pellet? What are the pros or cons? Cost? Installer? DIY?
Answer
If you choose pellet, use good quality pellets or you'll pay more in the long run on having the unit cleaned than you saved buying cheap pellets. Quiet and beautiful flames. The big bags of pellets are a con.
If you can do gas, I'd go with that. As long as the unit is outdoors. I knew someone who bought a $2000 gas heater and once it was installed, he realized it stunk the whole house up with a kerosene-like smell. Ugh And it was noisy too.
If you choose pellet, use good quality pellets or you'll pay more in the long run on having the unit cleaned than you saved buying cheap pellets. Quiet and beautiful flames. The big bags of pellets are a con.
If you can do gas, I'd go with that. As long as the unit is outdoors. I knew someone who bought a $2000 gas heater and once it was installed, he realized it stunk the whole house up with a kerosene-like smell. Ugh And it was noisy too.
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Title Post: Does electric heaters use more electricity ?
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Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog
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