!#8# Tips on Choosing Radiant and/or Convection Space Heaters

!±8± Tips on Choosing Radiant and/or Convection Space Heaters

With the coming of the fall and winter seasons homeowners and apartment dwellers may think about purchasing electric space heaters as a supplement to central heating during particularly cold weather and reduce central heating costs. An important purchasing decision is whether to select radiant/infrared or convection models. This article will help you make the decision by explaining the difference between radiant and convection sources of heat.

Do I Need a Space Heater?

Good question. Portable or mounted electric space heaters are used to supplement central heating by allowing you to turn down the thermostat on your central heating system or turn off the heat in rooms that are not in daily use. This helps lower energy bills. Guest rooms, extra bathrooms and home offices, for example, need heat only when they are occupied.

Space heaters provide added heat for nurseries, for children's play rooms, game rooms or areas frequented by elderly members of the household. Thermostatically controlled models are useful if not essential in unheated storage areas to protect contents from freezing. Many folks use a these heaters to reduce the dampness in basements. Most vendors offer space heaters to meet every requirement and help you determine if radiant heaters or convection heaters are the correct choice. Having some knowledge in advance will help.

Radiant Space Heaters

When you stand in the sunlight on a summer day the heat you feel is radiant heat. Step into the shade and the heat you feel is convection heat from the warmed air. This in a nutshell is the difference between radiant and convection heat.

You should select quick responding radiant heaters when you want to warm a specific area such as a group sitting around the card table or watching TV, a work area, or other individuals or groups in relatively stationary positions. Some models oscillate, delivering heat to a wider area but the effect of the heat is most noticeable when directed toward the individuals.

Radiant heat is provided by glowing quartz or halogen elements and can be thermostatically adjusted. An important safety feature is that portable models of these heaters will automatically turn off if tipped. Nevertheless, these heaters are not recommended for use when unsupervised children are at play.

Alternative sources of radiant heat are ceiling or wall mounted units that find wide application in garages and workshops.

Convection Space Heaters

Convection heater designs are recommended when you wish to warm areas such as bedrooms, dressing rooms or bathrooms. They also provide an ideal means of heating new room additions because they avoid the need to connect into the central heating system.

While there are many choices available popular models are the radiator, baseboard and box designs. Baseboard space heaters are the most popular for permanent mounting although some are portable with an automatic power cutoff if tipped. Heating level is controlled by integral or wall-mounted thermostats. They are safer than some radiant heaters where children play because heating elements are concealed.

Other Tips

As you examine the options available for providing supplemental heating needs you may find that some areas of your home will be best served by radiant heaters while others by convection space heaters. Knowing in advance your particular heating requirements is important to making the right choices. Select heaters with BTU ratings commensurate to the areas being heated. There are resources that help you calculate your heater size and select the types of heaters you need.

In any case be certain that you have adequate power for portable or permanently mounted electric space heaters. In the former case GFI receptacles are recommended, especially if the units are used in proximity to a water source such as a bathroom. Extension cords are verboten and a separate circuit is ideal.

Opportunities for supplemental heat may exist in your home. As an introduction to the many types of radiant or convection models available, I suggest you start by contacting Heater Store Online for complete information on space heaters.