Economical electric heater: varieties and choices
Economical electric heater: varieties and selection criteria
With the onset of cold weather, ensuring a comfortable temperature in the house or in the country comes to the fore. At the same time, it is important not to splurge on the cost of heating the room. Therefore, it is important to use an electric economical heater: it is able to effectively warm up the room and save energy resources. Let’s figure out how different types of such equipment differ and which heaters are the most economical.
A properly selected electric heater can significantly save the family budget
Which heaters are the most economical and efficient?
The simplest and at the same time effective device for creating a comfortable microclimate in the house is an electric heater. It is distinguished by a number of important advantages:
- ease of operation – to operate the device, it is enough to plug it into the power grid. The device does not require any additional manipulations;
- the ability to configure the system, for example, to choose the operating mode, adjust the heating temperature of the room and even humidify the air;
- a variety of models allows you to choose the ideal option for you, which will cope not only with additional, but also emergency or permanent heating of the dwelling;
- the device works imperceptibly – without making loud noises and without emitting unpleasant odors;
One of the main advantages of electric heaters is ease of operation
- to use such an electrical appliance, no special conditions or permits are needed: a load-bearing power grid is sufficient;
- models with high efficiency heat the room very quickly;
- it is easy to pick up a heater in any price category. By itself, such equipment is not too expensive, and each manufacturer has a line of different classes. Thus, you will be able to fit the purchase into almost any budget.
Useful advice! Remember that with the cheapness of the device itself, the heater consumes a lot of energy, and electricity is an expensive type of resource. Therefore, so that additional heating of the room does not hit your pocket, choose economical models of electric heaters.
What to buy an economical electric heater: principles of operation of devices
According to the type of operation , electric heaters are divided into several types:
| The principle of operation | Types of heaters |
| Convective | Electric convectors, heaters, fan heaters |
| Radiating | Infrared panels, heat-emitting mirrors |
| Combined (convective-radiation) | Oil radiators |
What are the features of these types of economical heaters for the home? Let’s take a closer look.
Convective heaters
The principle of operation of convective heaters is based on the movement of air: cold air enters the fan, the heating element converts it into warm, after which the heated air exits and rushes upwards. Thus, the air continuously runs around the room, providing uniform heating. The room warms up quickly and efficiently.
Convectors are economical, and simple models are budget-friendly, however, their fire hazard is quite high. Equipped with a complex system of emergency shutdown, safety and protection are more expensive, while all of them dry the air heavily during operation. It makes sense to buy a convective floor or wall-mounted economical electric heater for the cottage, if you do not live there permanently and there is no need to lay a heating system.
Electric convectors are able to quickly and efficiently warm up the room
Infrared heaters
The device of an infrared heater is more complicated and more modern than a convector. Its work is based on radiation directed at the objects surrounding the device. The air is heated by them – the sun’s rays act on a similar principle. As a result, you will feel comfortable in the heater’s operating area even in a cold room, while the room will warm up evenly.
This type of heater does not dry the air, does not raise dust and has the highest efficiency. The main disadvantage of such equipment is power consumption. There are economical models that allow you to set special operating modes – for example, automatic shutdown of the device when establishing a comfortable indoor climate. However, such devices are much more expensive.
For clarity, let’s look at a small example. So, heating a room with an area of up to 20 m2 takes 120 minutes, while the device consumes 90 watts / m2. The smaller the size of the room, the less energy consumption.
With the help of infrared heaters, you can create a comfortable microclimate in your home, since they are eco-friendly, do not dry the air, do not raise dust
Combined models
The operation of such heaters is based on the principle of convection: there is oil in the radiator, which is heated to the desired temperature, after which the metal body gives off the heat received. The heating speed of the room increases due to the built-in fan and the turbocharging function, however, these features are not available in all models. Combined heaters are quite large and bulky, but they are cheaper than others.
Useful advice! An oil cooler is not suitable as the main source of heat. This type of equipment will suit you if you are looking for an economical heater for your home for a short period when it is already cold and the central heating has not yet been turned on or has already been turned off.
Inverter air conditioners
Air conditioners work on the principle of a heat pump and are radically different from conventional heaters. The pump takes air from outside the room and moves it inside the room, and the operation of the air conditioner is possible even at subzero temperatures outside. At the heart of the functioning of the inverter heater is gas-freon. It condenses and warms up in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, after which it enters the outdoor unit. There, under low pressure, it becomes a gas again, boils and returns to the heat exchanger.
The inverter heater-air conditioner is able to warm up even a very large room in a short time
The power consumption during operation of the air conditioner is 2-3 kW / hour. A room of 20 m2 heats up in 3-4 hours.
Micro-thermal heaters
The microthermal heater is a new development, the principle of operation of which is based on long–wave infrared radiation. The structure of the device is based on mica-coated non-metallic plates. They warm up quickly and efficiently, while heating even distant objects. The device itself remains cold during operation. The only disadvantage of such an electric heater is the price, which significantly exceeds the cost of other types of equipment.
Ceramic panels
The principle of operation of the ceramic panel is based on long-wave infrared radiation. The heating panel is enclosed in a steel box, characterized by high thermal conductivity and energy saving. Thanks to the neutral appearance, the ceramic plate will fit into any interior.
The energy consumption of the panel is directly proportional to its size. On average, it ranges from 0.2 to 2.5 kW/hour. To warm up a room with an area of 20 m2, 1 kW / hour is required. It will take 1.5-2 hours to fully heat the room.
Microthermal heaters are a novelty on the market of heating equipment
Which heater is better and more economical for an apartment or a country house?
As a rule, central heating works in urban apartments, so the device will not be used all the time. The heater is turned on in case of a malfunction of the central networks, for an instant rise in the temperature regime in the room, as well as in the off-season.
The most economical electric heater for an apartment will be a convector. It consumes electricity moderately, does not require large investments when buying, while it is able to work for a long time. It is worth refusing to buy a fan heater: this type of equipment makes noise during operation, while it is the most energy-consuming type of heaters.
If the central heating system works with frequent interruptions, it is worth paying attention to infrared devices, which are often equipped with thermoregulators. Therefore, if you buy an electric electric heater with an electronic thermostat, it will significantly save energy resources, and consequently, the family budget. Basically, such a heater requires more electricity, but fine-tuning and various operating modes allow you not to turn on the equipment at full capacity, while at the same time maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room.
Fine-tuning of the infrared heater and various operating modes make it possible to use the device as efficiently as possible, at the same time saving energy resources
Which economical heaters are chosen for the bathroom at home
The bathroom is a special article, because you won’t be able to buy any electric heater there. Due to the presence of water, it is dangerous to use a conventional electrical appliance in the bathroom, and often there is not even a 220 V outlet in the room.
The only option is a heater designed on the principle of a washing machine, that is, providing protection from water and high humidity conditions. There is no way to save money here, but only by choosing a heater designed for use in a humid environment, you can be sure of the safety of using the device. There are whole lines of electric baseboard heaters for use in the bathroom. The housing and heating element of such a device are made taking into account the risk of water ingress.
And, of course, remember that the device must be placed beyond even the hypothetical reach of water.
To heat the bathroom, it is necessary to use specially designed devices for working in conditions of high humidity
Useful advice! When choosing a bathroom heater, be sure to specify when buying that you have a special device designed for use in a humid environment. Not every baseboard heater is adapted for such conditions, in addition, there are budget imitations that do not actually meet the established quality standards.
Which electric heaters are the most economical for a country house
Choosing the most economical heater for a house located outside the city should be based on how often you visit there. When living in such a house all year round, the heater is connected to the local central or autonomous heating system. In this case, the principle of choosing a heater is the same as for a city apartment. It is also worth paying attention to inverter heaters that can quickly warm up even a large house.
If you visit the country from time to time and there is no point in connecting to the central heating system, you need a device that will quickly warm up the room and will be able to maintain a comfortable microclimate in it for a long time.
The oil radiator is suitable for use in the off-season, when the heating has not yet been turned on, but it has already become cold
A convector or an infrared heater warms up the room quickly and efficiently, but it is impractical to buy expensive equipment in a house where you rarely visit. If there are any heat sources in the country, for example, an oven, you can choose the most budget option – a heat gun. If there is no heating in the house at all, it will be optimal to use a combined heater.
Which electric heaters are the most economical for non-residential premises
For non-residential premises such as a garage or workshop, the priority is to quickly warm up the air, while there is no need to maintain the set temperature for a long time. The best option in this case is a convector.
The budget choice will be a fan heater or a heat gun, which differ only in power. They will instantly warm up the room without spending a lot of resources, as they work for a short period of time.
Fan heaters are quite efficient and economical, but they are not recommended to be constantly used in residential areas because of the noise produced during operation
There is no need to buy expensive and complex infrared heaters for such premises.
Useful advice! An oil radiator is also a good option: it will quickly heat up the room, and due to the long cooling of the oil, heat transfer will continue even after the device is turned off from the mains.
What are the most energy-efficient heaters: pros and cons of different models
To decide which heater is more economical for your purposes, it is worth analyzing the characteristics of different models, as well as prices for certain devices.
Comparative table of different types of heating devices:
| Heater type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Infrared |
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| Inverter air conditioner |
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| Electric convector |
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| Micathermic heater |
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| Ceramic panel |
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| Film heater |
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What to buy an economical electric heater: overview of manufacturers and prices
To choose a suitable economical electric heater, it is worth comparing the products of different companies. Each type of equipment has its own leaders and leading models.
Infrared heaters. You can choose an infrared floor electric heater (mounted on legs or a mobile version) or models fixed to the ceiling (wall). The leading manufacturers of such devices are UFO, Saturn, Beko and Eko. Budget models can be found at the Turkish manufacturer Infratek.
Infrared heaters are distinguished by a wide variety of options and shapes
Electric wall-mounted economical heater Good heat. In a separate subspecies, you can select an economical electric wall heater-a picture. Such a device works on the principle of infrared heaters, but differs in its original appearance. Hi-tech units will not fit into every interior, here you choose a picture on the wall to your liking, which will add comfort to your home and bring warmth.
Inverter heaters. The undisputed leader among manufacturers of climate equipment is the Japanese company Daikin. However, its products are also distinguished by high prices. Inverter heaters manufactured by the Japanese company Mitsubishi are also expensive, but among their assortment you can find budget models. The best choice in the middle price category will be air conditioners of the Chinese brand Haier, Japanese Toshiba and Korean LG.
Electric convectors. Among the most economical electric heaters with high operating efficiency are convectors from the French manufacturer Atlantic. The power of the devices of this company ranges from 0.5 to 2.5 kW. To heat a room with an area of 20 m2, the optimal choice will be a model whose electricity consumption is 2 kW / hour. Thus, it will take about 4 hours to heat the room.
Electric convectors are very popular with consumers
Convectors from Electrolux, Ballu, Noirot and Nobo also have good indicators.
Micro-thermal heaters. Among the microthermal heaters, pay attention to the products of the Spaniards VES: their products are distinguished by fall protection and the ability to fine-tune modes. Heaters of the Russian company Bimatec can also boast of electronic control and fine tuning. And for heating an office or a spacious house, you should choose powerful devices from Poliaris. When buying an economical electric heater for a house of this company, 1.8 kW / h is enough to warm up a room with an area of 20 m2.
Ceramic panels. Among the most economical models of ceramic panels , the following options are distinguished:
- NTK Kid with a capacity of 0.25 kW;
- Eco with a capacity of 0.35 kW;
- 0.5 kW Atacama;
- Venice “Bio-convector” PKK700 with a capacity of 0.7 kW;
- Venice “Bio-convector” PKK 1350 with a capacity of 1,350 kW;
Ceramic panels are small in size and easily fit into any interior, thanks to a variety of design options
- NTES Evolution 400 with a power of 0.4 kW;
- NTES Evolution 800 with a power of 0.8 kW.
Useful advice! Pay attention to the heaters with the front part of the housing in the form of a glass-ceramic panel. Externally, they are indistinguishable from televisions, therefore they will fit seamlessly into any modern interior.
Economical electric heaters (prices for different types of devices):
| Heater type | Average price, rub. |
| Infrared heaters | from 1500 to 200,000 |
| Inverter heaters | from 30,000 to 75,000 |
| Electric convectors | from 1500 to 54000 |
| Micro-thermal heaters | from 1500 to 8500 |
| Ceramic panels | from 5000 to 14000 |
| Film heaters | from 900 to 1500 |
The most economical wall-mounted electric heater
If you make a rating, the best in terms of ergonomics, efficiency, durability and economy are three types of equipment:
All of them belong to an expensive type of equipment, but justify the costs by their economy, as well as a long service life. Thus, it makes sense to buy an economical wall-mounted electric heater if frequent use of the device for heating the living room is required.
