Which Is the Most Energy-Efficient Space Heater?

Winters are getting harsher every subsequent year in all parts of the world. Therefore, heaters are no more a luxury item but have become a necessity. Most people now opt for space heaters as they are better than centralized heating systems for individual use. Small rooms or garages can easily become warm with these heaters. They also aid in giving an extra boost of warmth when used along with a central heating system.

It has been observed that space heaters are not only cost-efficient but also energy-efficient thanks to energy saving technologies. The new tools that are incorporated in space heaters prevent wastage of heat and ensure better distribution of heat throughout the room.

In this article, we will explore features that make a space heater more energy-efficient.

Energy Efficiency According to the Type of Heater

There are three basic types of space heaters depending on the technologies used: convection, radiant and micathermic. We will now go into a bit detail about the energy efficiency of each type.

Convection Heaters

These heaters warm the air in the room through convection by warming it from the top down. As compared to radiant heaters, they take quite some time to heat the room. This is due to the fact that more time is required for heat to reach the level of occupants. In a large room, convection heaters consume more energy to attain the same temperature increase, as compared to radiant heaters. This makes them less energy-efficient in comparison with radiant heaters.

Radiant Heaters

These heaters radiate heat and focus on heating objects rather than the air. The heat produced by these heaters does not go to waste through air currents as it directly warms people and objects. These types of heaters work quickly and consume less energy. These heaters are, thus, very energy-efficient.

Micathermic Radiators

These heaters use resistors to convert heat energy into electrical energy. The heat is absorbed in a series of mica-covered sheets. This excellent silicate material is used in space heating technology for its great conductivity of heat. These heaters combine the best features of convection and radiation and, thus, are highly energy-efficient.

From the above discussion, we can conclude that mic-thermic space heaters are the most energy-efficient. Let’s find out why it is so. These heaters provide 20% heat through radiation and 80% through convection, so they warm air as well as objects.

Hence, they heat up the space more quickly compared to their counterparts. In 60 seconds, they reach their maximum heating output, and that makes all the difference. The ratio between consumption of heat and heat produced is fairly low in these heaters, making them the most energy-efficient.

Features That Make a Space Heater More Energy-Efficient

The following features are responsible for the energy efficiency of a space heater:

Programmable Thermostat

This feature truly helps conserve energy since it regulates the room temperature and keeps it on the desired level. Since temperature does not exceed a pre-set level, energy wastage is minimized. Some space heaters have thermostats with multiple heat settings, while others allow heat control within a certain range.

Auto Shut-Off Mechanism

To provide more energy-efficiency, manufacturers are increasingly incorporating this feature in their space heaters. It lets the heater turn off the heating process if the temperature rises to a certain extent. This saves energy and avoids unnecessary operation.

Timer

Most energy-efficient heaters are equipped with timers which turn off the heating operation at a pre-set time. This prevents heaters from operating when they are not required such as during the night or when the user is out of the home.

Built-In Overheating Protection

This feature stops the heating function when either the heating elements have become too hot or the sensor finds that the surrounding air is exceedingly hot.

How to Use Space Heaters Efficiently

No matter how energy-efficient a space heater is, it will be unable to function efficiently if certain precautionary measures are not taken in its handling. Let’s see how you can ensure that an energy-efficient heater performs as expected:

Insulate your room so that the heat generated does not escape and your heater doesn’t have to work harder. Get your windows double-glazed as windows with a single pane cannot prevent hot air from escaping the room and, thus, require more energy to be consumed by the space heater as it has to over-perform.
You must frequently get your space heater checked for maintenance and servicing. This is because your heating equipment becomes less efficient due to wear and tear.
Don’t keep your thermostat set to one temperature constantly. Adjust it according to the environment and your situation such as when you are sleeping or away from the house.
Don’t use a small space heater for a large room because it will only increase your energy bill without working efficiently.

Conclusion

Energy efficiency is a prime concern of every prospective space heater user. Technology has helped in a great way to mitigate these concerns and has provided many tools, which have been incorporated into space heaters to prevent loss of heat and allow effective temperature control. While these features are quite helpful, without effective handling of the unit, the ultimate goal of saving energy cannot be achieved.