Heating and heating solutions are a big concern for homeowners especially when it gets close to winter. There are several options for heating, with some solutions performing better and more efficiently than others. The size of the home as well as the layout will usually dictate what heating solution is the best for your individual case, but electrical home heating (most commonly through a reverse cycle air conditioning system) usually beats gas heating on efficiency and cost. If you are looking for advice and assistance on upgrading or replacing your heating solutions at home, our licensed and experienced refrigeration mechanics and electricians at Marky Sparky can help you. We can provide you with the pros and cons of each type of heating solution in order to get to the optimal electric heater that suits your needs.
Radiant heaters Sydney – These are mainly portable, personal heaters. It usually consists of a casing and a red-hot heating element that projects heat in a small area. Some models can be floor or wall mounted and are inexpensive to run. A key issue with this type of heater is fire and safety hazard. If the heating element is exposed, it may potentially ignite flammable items if placed too close. They also do not heat the air in a room very well, unless you are standing or sitting close enough to the unit.
Oil-filled column heaters Sydney – These heaters have columns or so-called fins that are commonly filled with oil (or other liquid or material). They use electricity to heat the oil and the heat generated is then transferred to the casing and to the air circulating the fins. Column heaters are great if you plan to use them for extended periods or where they’ll operate unattended such as overnight in bedrooms. The risk of getting burned by accidentally touching the heating element is also lower since the surfaces don’t get as hot as other types of heaters. A main disadvantage of using this type of heater is the longer time it takes to heat a room since it relies on natural convection and air movement.
Panel heaters Sydney – These heaters work primarily on convection; they draw cold air over an electric heating element. The warmed air then leaves the heater and rises while the cooler air moves in to replace it. They are usually equipped with a fan to dissipate the heat quickly and more evenly. However, the fan can be noisy so make sure that the fan can be switched off. The two common subtypes are the standard panel heaters and the newer micathermic panel heaters. Both models are lighter and more portable than oil-filled heaters but are generally more expensive and noisier if equipped with a fan.
Fan heaters Sydney – They are equipped with a more powerful fan than other types and is the key element of the design. They project hot air at a reasonable distance and works quicker in heating up a room. They are also generally more portable than other electric heaters. Some models use a ceramic fan as an added safety advantage because ceramic cools faster than metallic fans, reducing the risk of burns. The downside of this type of heater is the noise level, particularly at higher fan speeds. They also cost more than other types of electric heaters.
Reverse cycle air conditioning Sydney – While more expensive to purchase outright than any other electrical heater, reverse cycle air conditioners are the best option of you need heating for a large or open area such as the lounge and the dining room. They are very effective in heating a space quickly and efficiently, for relatively little power use. Another amazing things about reverse cycle air conditioning is that the heat pumps used can achieve more than 100% efficiency because electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of transforming electricity to heat.