Which portable heater is the right one for you?
A straightforward guide to buying a portable heater
Portable heaters allow you the flexibility to heat your home in a way that suits you. These handy heaters are completely portable which means they can be moved around to the room of your choice. They can be controlled individually, meaning you only heat the room you are using, instead of your whole home, and different heater types can provide instant heat or a gradual consistent heat, depending on your need. Read on to understand more about the types of portable heating and which one is right for your home.
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1. Ceramic heaters
2. Quartz heaters
3. Infrared heaters
4. Gas heaters
5. Oil filled radiators
6. Convector heaters
7. Fan heaters
8. Electric stoves
1. Ceramic heaters
What is a ceramic heater?
A ceramic heater or radiator is a type of heater that uses a ceramic heating element with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) to conduct heat. PCT heaters use the thermal ceramic element as the heat source, an aluminium alloy sheet as a radiator, and are formed by bonding and welding.
What are the benefits of a ceramic heater?
Ceramic heaters are a popular choice amongst homeowners as they are extremely efficient conductors of heat. This means that the heater heats up quickly and uses less energy. Ceramic heaters are also useful in providing a lot of heat for small areas, as well as being excellent at storing heat.
The bottom line: ceramic heaters are a great choice if you want a heater that heats up small areas quickly.
2. Infrared heaters
What is an infrared heater?
An infrared heater is a type of heater that uses electromagnetic radiation to heat up nearby objects, rather than heating up the air. In a nutshell, an infrared heater creates a similar heat to that of the sun, transferring thermal energy to surrounding materials.
What are the benefits of an infrared heater?
Like ceramic heaters, infrared heaters produce heat very quickly, making them more efficient. They produce consistent heat that is generally less expensive to run than other portable heaters.
One of the other big advantages of infrared heaters is that they are beneficial to your health compared to other types of heaters. Infrared waves are absorbed by the body, dilating capillaries, which greatly improves blood circulation, oxygenation, and regeneration of blood cells.
The bottom line: infrared heaters are a a great choice for health conscious households that want to heat rooms quickly.
3. Quartz heaters
What is a quartz heater?
A quartz heater is a type of portable electric heater that's heating elements are sealed in quartz glass tubes to produce infrared radiation in front of reflective backing.
A quartz heater is a type of infrared heater. So, what's the difference between a quartz heater and a standard infrared heater? Normal infrared heaters don't use the quartz material and instead use carbon wires. Infrared heaters generally have a longer life expectancy than quartz heaters.
What are the benefits of a quartz heater?
Quartz heaters are known to provide even heat distribution as the quartz infrared rays heat objects directly. They are also affordable and durable, with many quartz heaters lasting several years.
The bottom line: quartz heaters are a good choice if you're looking for an affordable heater that provides continuous and uniform amounts of heat.
4. Gas heaters
What is a gas heater?
A gas heater is a type of heater that burns gas in order to heat a room. Gas heaters can be portable or fixed, and use either natural gas, propane, or butane. Below we'll talk about the benefits of a butane gas heater.
What are the benefits of a gas heater?
Like many gases, butane will light instantly, giving you maximum heat output within a matter of seconds. Gas heaters are typically cheaper to run than electric heaters, making them a cost-effective choice. Tip: don't forget to fit a carbon monoxide alarm near to where you use your gas heater.
The bottom line: gas heaters are a cost-effective and convenient choice that provide a reliable source of heat.
5. Oil filled radiators
What is an oil filled radiator?
Oil filled radiators are a type of portable radiator that work by using an electrical heating element to heat a pool of thermal oil inside the unit. Once the oil is heated, it transfers heat to the metal wall and then to the surrounding air.
What are the benefits of an oil filled radiator?
Oil filled radiators are up to 99% energy efficient as they directly convert the oil to heat without any energy loss. They are also excellent at retaining heat, even after they've stopped drawing power from the wall, as the fluid cools down slowly.
The bottom line: oil filled radiators are an excellent option if you're looking for an energy efficient choice that stays hot for long periods.
6. Convector heaters
What is a convector heater?
A convector heater, otherwise known as a panel heater, is a type of portable heater that uses convection currents to heat the air. As convector heaters heat the air and then transfer the heat throughout a space to heat a room up, they can lose heat to draughts. They can also be expensive to run if used for long periods.
What are the benefits of a convector heater?
Convector heaters are great for heating up larger rooms as they heat the air rather than objects around them. They can heat these large spaces in a short amount of time whilst ensuring that the heat is distributed evenly across the space.
The bottom line: convector heaters are ideal if you're looking for a quick burst of heat in a larger space.
7. Fan heaters
What is a fan heater?
A fan heater is a small, portable heater that uses forced convection through the means of a fan to provide heat. The fan spreads the cold air over a heating element to generate warmth - propelling warm air back out into the room. Fan heaters can generate heat quickly although they are known to be noisier than other types of portable heater.
What are the benefits of a fan heater?
Fan heaters generate heat much faster than a heater without a fan, making them a great option when you're looking for a quick source of warmth. The fan element means the heater can produce high temperatures, although this heat can sometimes become a little overbearing.
The bottom line: fan heaters are a great choice for those looking for very hot, instant heat as they produce results instantly.
8. Electric stoves
What is an electric stove?
An electric stove is a type of portable fireplace that doesn't need to be installed into the wall. It requires an electric socket to power the stove, meaning it can be used anywhere with an electricity source nearby (o chimney or flue required!)
Electric stoves use heated metal coils to generate heat via an electric power source. The heat then spreads through the room by a fan. Most electric stoves have artificial logs, coal, or flames to make them look like a real fire.
What are the benefits of an electric stove?
Electric stoves are very efficient as no heat is lost when it's emitted. They are a popular choice in homes as they look visually appealing, replicating that of a real fireplace.
The bottom line: electric stoves are an excellent choice if you're looking for an attractive portable heat source that adds character whilst still being energy efficient.
