Electric heaters provide extra warmth in small spaces, such as poorly insulated rooms. Electric heaters are typically small units that are also portable, allowing consumers to use them in multiples places throughout a home or office. To choose the right electric heater, consumers need to know the types of electric heaters and how each works, the different styles of electric heaters, and safety specifications.
Types of Electric Heaters
Buyers can choose from two types of electric heaters: convection and radiant.
Convection heaters pull in cold air to replace it with warm air. Since warm air rises, the heater grabs more cool air directly in front of the unit instead of warming the same air repetitively. Convection heaters typically have a small fan in the unit to help disperse the warm air as well. It turns the cold air into warm air through the electricity in the resistor.
Radiant heaters use infrared technology to heat objects, such as flooring and people, instead of the air. The heat from the infrared light travels on electromagnetic waves in straight lines. Any object in the direct path of those waves warms through a transfer of energy by the waves. Radiant heaters warm a significantly smaller area, but there is no fan noise and uses less electricity.
Styles of Electric Heaters
With six different styles of electric heaters, buyers can easily choose one that is best suited for their needs.
Baseboard heaters rely on electric coils to produce warm air. It is a convection heater but without the motorised fan. It saves energy due to the lower electrical requirements, and it works well in areas that need extra insulation around windows and doors. Some models mount and have an external temperature gauge.
Wall heaters are larger electric heaters that mount on wall surfaces. These flat panels take up less space than heaters that go on the floor, and wall heaters generate more heat for a room. Large bedrooms and lounge rooms that have extra space benefit from the extra production of heat in the unit. Wall heaters do use more electricity, however, and portability would require removing screws and installing it in another room.
Toe Kick Heaters
Cool air moves into the toe kick heater to produce warm air through a convection system. Toe kick heaters are small units that fit into spaces underneath drawers and cabinets. Unlike small baseboard heaters, toe kick heaters do have a fan to distribute warm air throughout a small space, such as a bathroom.
Infrared technology produces heat in panel or cove heaters. These units typically require mounting, as the heater warms any object in its direct path. There is no motor, and the heater continues to warm objects until the power is off. Unlike a convection model, panel heaters do not turn off when the room reaches a certain temperature, as they do not heat the air.
A ceramic core inside the heater warms and stores the energy in aluminium plates to produce warmth in a ceramic heater. The ceramic body of the heater also helps store more energy, which makes this model very energy efficient. Using the convection system, the unit pulls in warm air around the core and the plates before blowing it out with a fan.
With proper positioning in a window, heat pumps use cooler outside air to turn into heat using a convection system. Since it does not draw the cold air in from the room, it forces warm air into the space. Heat pumps only work in milder climates and are very energy efficient.
Electric heaters do require between 140 to 240 volts of electricity. The manufacturer’s guide includes the electrical requirements for each unit. A surge protector is a good idea for additional safety with such high voltage requirements. Certain safety precautions are also necessary for proper use of an electric heater. The units need supervision at all times as well as plenty of space free of debris within a certain radius of the unit depending upon the output.
How to Buy an Electric Heater on eBay
Buying an electric heater is simple on eBay with lots of brands and models from which to choose. An easy way to find a unit is to navigate to Electric Heaters from the Home Appliances tab. Electric heaters for the outdoors are in the Home and Garden category under Outdoor Living. Shoppers can also use the search engine to find a specific type of electric heater or brand. When looking for an electric heater on eBay, customers should check electrical specification in the item description. Also, older electric heaters might not produce enough heat or pose a risk, so customers should check prior use with the seller.
Electric heaters offer a solution to drafts in rooms without the need for home repair. These options also provide isolated heat in milder climates without the use of a large heating system. The type and style of electric heater depends on personal needs and tastes. eBay has a wide range of electric heaters to complement any home.