Plinth heaters are also known as kickboard heaters or baseboard heaters, depending on where you come from!  In simple terms they are heaters that are installed in baseboards, below cupboards or other equipment. While not terribly common, a kick space heater is actually a very under-rated form of heating that can really make a difference when it comes to heating up a room.

Most are fan operated, meaning that the heater is installed in a baseboard or below a cupboard where it can then blow out hot air. As everyone knows, hot air rises, thus heat originating at floor (or baseboard) level will quickly rise to heat up a room. Some central heating systems have them built in, but you are able to buy individual plinth heaters and install them separately from your other central heating. If you have central heating plinth heater systems can also be added for additional warmth in rooms not heated by your central system.

There are obvious advantages to this type of plinth heating; it is definitely extremely space saving. While they may take a while to heat up a room, once the room is heated they do a very effective job of keeping the temperature warm and even. They are also usually very cost effective as well and cheap to initially install as they do not require ductwork or insulation, and the maintenance is usually very minimal. They are also perfect for installing in one room. You can regulate the temperature and install additional heating if the current heating in that room is not efficient.

There are other pros to using a plinth raidator such as the fact that they are an extremely safe way to heat a room. There are no portable heaters that can be bumped into or knocked over.  They do not require very much maintenance at all. You do have to clean them from time to time to make sure the vents are free.

While they may appear to some to be somewhat of an eyesore, these days most electric plinth heaters are actually well designed so that they fit into almost any room without being obvious. Most are covered with a grate which can be painted the same color as either the baseboard or the walls of your room so that they blend in and are not noticeable at all.  They are also usually small in size, making them even more unobtrusive to the casual observer.

Finally, one of the main pros with this type of heating is that it is very safe. It cannot be knocked over or bumped into. They do not dry out the air like many other types of heaters do and as such they will not dry out your skin or cause problems with chapped and dry lips.

Common Uses for Plinth Heaters

These type of heaters are often installed in rooms that are not hooked into a central heating system, such as added on rooms. They are also a great style of heating for a kitchen as they are low, out of the way and can be inserted underneath kitchen cabinets for example without taking up any extra room. With a plinth heater kitchen installation means more floor and bench space. Businesses also use them quite a bit, where they can be installed underneath reception desks or other shop fittings.

They normally should not be installed in bathrooms or anywhere that they could conceivably come in contact with water as that could be damaging to the heater and also dangerous if they were electrically powered; which most are.

Where to Buy Plinth Heating

If you are looking for a plinth heater B&Q carry them, as do most home supply shops. Shops dealing mainly with heating also usually have them in stock.  Plinth heater prices vary depending on the type of heater you buy and the plinth heater capacity.  It also depends on what the heater is made from. A stainless steel plinth heater, such as a small Creda plinth heater or Honeywell HZ-817 Low Profile 2-in-1 Baseboard Heater with Quick Heat™ and Convection Heating is usually fairly inexpensive. Larger units, or those that are more decorative may cost more.

Looking to buy one? You can see a selection of baseboard heaters for sale here.  Check out the specs and reviews on these:

Honeywell HZ-817 Low Profile 2-in-1 Baseboard Heater with Quick Heat™ and Convection Heating	Great to use in rooms where the central air conditioning doesn’t quite reach. Has a quick heat fan mode that is a bit noisy, but overall a very serviceable heater.
Honeywell HZ-617 Low Profile Silent Comfort Heater	Fine little heater. Runs well, very quiet. However, it is not suited to a large room. Best to heat something around 8′ x 9′. Bedroom heater.

Electric wall heaters are useful items to have in rooms where you need to sometimes have additional heat, and they are particularly useful in bathrooms or in your children’s bedroom, or in anyone’s bedroom who is very sensitive to cool temperatures.

They are made to fit directly flush with the wall, usually recessed between two wall studs.  First a metal frame is installed in the wall, between the two studs, or attached to one side stud.  Next, the heating unit, consisting of the actual heating elements and a fan, is installed inside this metal frame.  Finally a safety cover is installed over the frame and the heating unit.  Controls are usually placed on the cover, and the cover is frequently louvered so that the heat coming out of the unit can be adjusted.

Electric wall heaters are usually controlled by a thermostat. Some electric wall heaters have the thermostat on the cover and while this can be very convenient it tends to not be as accurate as thermostats that are installed on the wall, as the heater’s cover will heat up when the heater is on and that will cause the thermostat to read a higher temperature.

When deciding on the size of your wall heater, there are a couple of things to take into consideration. First of all, naturally, is the size of the room that you will be heating.   Figure out the square foot size of your room, and then allow 10 watts of heat per square foot for a well insulated room.  If your house is older, or is not well insulated you should allow 12 watts per square foot. And for a room or home that is not insulated, with poor window placement, etc. you should up that to around 15 watts per square feet.  As you can see, your room size and insulation really does make a difference when it comes to heating.

Electric wall heaters beat gas wall heaters hands-down in most situations, primarily because they are very easy and quick to install (no need for double venting, for example) and you don’t need to put in a gas run but you simply plug the electric heater in and it is ready to use.  While electric wall heaters may not be as energy-efficient as installing central heating, they are certainly a more affordable option for many home owners these days. They are also great for providing that extra heating needed, quickly and at low cost.

Radiant panel heaters produce radiant heat, as their name implies, usually via infrared rays.  They are lightweight, thin heaters that usually are placed flush up against a wall.  They are perfect to use in places where there is a not a lot of space, such as bathrooms or even in kitchens, or anywhere that space is limited and there is not a lot of room for bulky heaters.  They are also a popular choice for heating a conservatory which is often not on the regular central heating circuit.

The most common type of panel heater works by heating a large quartz cloth surface which in turn radiates this heat out into the room.  Other types of panel heaters can be made from stainless steel, ceramic or even high temperature glass.  The back of the heater is usually insulated to help prevent heat from bleeding out of the back of the heater. Most panel heaters are electrically operated, with many requiring their own breaker.

The advantages to using panel heaters include the fact that they give out a slow, steady heat and thus are not as likely to overheat (though don’t allow material to cover them, as they could overheat the material and start a fire.)   While they can be used in a bathroom, they must be properly grounded, and they should not come in direct contact with water.

Not all panel heaters are necessarily electric though. It is also possible to buy gas panel heaters which work in much the same way as the electric heaters, except they need to be hooked up to the gas supply rather than the electricity.

Ceramic panel heaters are very quick to heat up, and they do look very nice as well. They are sometimes more expensive than the regular quartz cloth heaters, but again that all depends on the actual size of the heater you are buying.

Incidentally, when computing the size of the heater you will need to heat up your space, it’s a wise idea to buy as large a heater as you can afford. While it is always possible to turn down the heater if your room is getting too warm, it is pretty impossible to turn a heater up past its maximum and if you buy a heater that ‘should be big enough’ but you get it home and find out that it isn’t hot enough that will be a problem.  You will then need to either install a second heater, or take out the one you just bought and buy a new bigger heater. It’s better to calculate so that you have plenty of heat rather than skimping and then finding out your heater doesn’t output enough heat.

Gas wall heaters are  commonly convection heaters, meaning that unlike radiant heaters which heat up objects in the room, gas heaters actually heat up the air in the room and make the entire room warm and great to walk into from outside, during winter!  It is possible to find radiant gas heaters, which work by heating up ceramic coils inside the heater, though the convection gas wall heaters are more popular.

The majority of gas wall heaters these days are vented, meaning that there is a pipe leading outside from the heater which brings fresh air from outside in to the heater so that the gas has oxygen and can burn, and also expels fumes from the burning gas back outside into the open air. You can find ventless heaters as well though these are more uncommon mainly because of safety reasons.  These days, ventless wall heaters come with an oxygen depletion sensor that can tell if the oxygen level in the room drops dangerously.  If using a ventless gas wall heater, it is also imperative to have a well ventilated room.

Gas wall heaters heat the entire room, including the air and this heat is usually disseminated around the room by use of a fan attached to the gas wall heater.  They are popular heaters for rooms that are used often during winter months, such as living rooms and they can also be great to have in a bedroom too.  Great for areas that are on city gas, they are also a real boon for those times when the electricity shuts off as most gas heaters can operate without needing electricity.

If, by chance, the pilot light does go off you will need to relight it, via a utility (or long handled) lighter and not a butane or normal lighter.  You should also turn the gas to your heater off at first and then turn it back on again just as you go to re-light the heater. Of course, some heaters start the pilot light via the use of electricity.  All heaters should automatically shut off the gas if the pilot light goes out for any reason.

Gas wall heaters come in different sizes, calculated on the amount of air they will need to heat up or the size of the room. They are generally safe to leave on while you step out for a few hours, providing they have safety features built in, though you should probably turn them down to a low heat so as not to waste gas and energy.

It goes without saying that if you plan on installing a gas wall heater, unless you really know what you are doing you should have someone who is qualified to do the job come in to install the heater rather than doing it yourself. In fact, in some places it is required that you have gas heaters installed by an authorized technician.

For many years now Europeans have been enjoying the pleasure of not only having a warm, cosy bathroom but also enjoying warmed towels and bathrobes when they slip out of the shower.  The fascinating option of installing towel radiators in the bathroom is catching on all around the world now, especially in cooler climate countries.

Not only are towel radiators used to heat towels, but they also provide a great space-saving way to heat up your bathroom. The radiant heat that emanates from these heaters provides a steady, even heat.  They aren’t only limited to being used in a bathroom either, but can also be used in kitchens, laundry rooms and other hard to heat locations such as hallways and landings. Because they are so compact, hugging close to the wall, they are perfect for area where space is limited.

There are many different styles of towel radiators. One type of electric radiator has heated panels at the back, and a towel rack coming out from it. Others have heated panels set in wide sections, providing space for a towel to hang over the different sections.

When looking into buying towel radiators, you do need to look for quality units.  Cheaper towel radiators may have limited heating surface areas, heat may be distributed unevenly and you may end up with  hot spots which can even damage your towels. Prices also vary depending on the amount of control you have over the unit, and towel radiators that allow you to adjust the temperature settings are often a little more expensive than the the straightforward, ‘no controls’ units.

Towel radiators are usually available in a variety of different sizes, and they are also available in different colors, so they can match any room’s décor.  They are also available in as designer models too, with some featuring very modern designs.  They are not only useful items to have, but they also make exceptionally welcome house warming gift ideas, something practical yet that may not be bought immediately by new home owners.

Flat Panel Towel Radiators

Flat panel towel radiators come in different sizes, both the actual radiator and the panels. Flat panels are heated, and you simply hang your towel over these heated flat panels. Or, in some instances the panels are heated and hooks are set along the top of the panels, so you can hang your towel on the hook instead of directly over the panels.

Electric units offer different options. Some are directly wired into the electricity, others are directly wired but also offer a heat control option, and the third type is made to plug into an electrical socket, and it also has heat control options.

Common sizes for flat panel towel radiators are 16 to 24 inches, though some hydronic flat panel towel radiators can be as large as 36 inches wide.

Round Tube Towel Radiators

In place of the flat panels, instead there are round heated tubes attached to the radiator. These tubes are spaced to allow a towel or other item to hang directly over the tubes and thus get nice and warm.

These also come in differing sizes, ranging anywhere from 28 inches high to 45 inches high. The width of the units are usually around 23 to 29 inches.

Great for heating up bathrooms and other small rooms, and for keeping your towels dry and warm, the towel radiators are a great little appliance to add to any home.  Once you install one you will wonder what you ever did without it.

The most common wall heater is the electric wall heater.  Other alternative types of wall heaters include both the propane and the natural gas wall heater. Wall heaters are commonly installed in dens, basements, attics, garages, bathrooms and offices, or any room that is not reached by central heating.

There are two separate types of wall heaters. One is the heater that is attached to the wall via brackets or other fasteners, and then hooked up to an energy source.  Then you have the in-wall heaters, which are actually inset into a wall.

The in-wall heater is generally installed after the wall is finished, and not while the room is being built. Most come with a built in thermostat, which is important in regulating the temperature in rooms with single heating units. In-wall fan heaters are not cheap, and a good 2000 watt unit will end up costing you somewhere around $100 or slightly less.  If you are going to buy an in-wall electric heater, make sure that it comes with a good warrantee. Usually you should get ten years on the element and at least one year on all other components.  A 1,500 to 2,000 watt unit should be able to adequately heat up to a 150 square foot room without any difficulty.

The so called blue flame wall heater is usually fired by either propane or natural gas.  There are actually quite a few dual fuelled heaters on the market too, these days, which can use either energy source. When checking out these type of heaters, it’s good to make sure that there is a blower included, as often these end up being sold separately meaning you pay more for the heater than you originally planned.

The great thing with wall heaters is that they can be used to heat an entire house, if you like, or they can be installed and used to heat ‘add-on’ rooms, or workspace. They can also be added to a room or area that needs additional heat to what is already installed.

Gas wall heaters are generally more environmentally friendly and they are actually more efficient at heating their surroundings. However, in spite of this, many people still choose electric over gas. Why?  Well, it goes without saying that electric heaters are generally much easier to install than gas or propane heaters, and they can usually be used wherever there is electricity available.  Electric heaters also often end up being less costly than installing and running a gas heater.  Think about  it. Electric heaters simply plug into a power socket, but gas heaters require access to a gas run which is very expensive to install as an extra.

When all is said and done, the single unit electric wall heater is the most common wall heater currently in use in homes.  It is simple to install and fairly cheap to run.

With winter fast approaching, it is a good time to refresh yourself on electric heater safety tips, as well as to go over them with your children or other people in your home or working environment.

There are over half a million home fires reported yearly, in the United States alone. Of course, not all fires result in major property damage, but even a little bit of property damage is often too much–in terms of having to pay for repairs or reconstruction. About 25% of fires, however, actually cause considerable damage meaning that they engulf one whole room of the house or more. This 25% of fires are the ones that cause loss of life, severe burning and major destruction of property.

While not all fires are caused by misuse or not following safety instructions when using household appliances, many are, with heaters being a major player.

• Rule #1:  Read the instruction manual before you plug in and use your electric radiator heater, and make sure you demonstrate to others the safe use of the electric heater, or have all others who will be using the heater read the instructions.
• Rule #2: Unplug the heater when its not in use, and never leave an unattended heater on alone in a room.  Anything could happen while you were gone.
• Rule #3: Plug your electric heater directly into the wall socket, not into an extension cord.  Many extension cords have been known to overheat, and then cause a fire.
• Rule #4: Don’t hide cords under rugs or have any heavy furniture on top of it. Even though cords are a bit unsightly, hiding the cord can mean hiding a damaged cord. Damaged cords can start first.  Also, placing anything heavy on top of the cord can also damage it.
• Rule #5: Make sure the heater is not placed against anything, especially anything that could be likely to catch on fire such as clothing or material, or any flammable material.  The safest range is to make sure that there is 3 feet of space surrounding the heater on all sides. This also applies to not drying clothing or other items in front of an electric heater–it is just too easy for things to catch fire this way.
• Rule #6:   Be careful of water.  Electric heaters should not generally be used in bathrooms, or in any room where it is likely to come in touch with water, or damp areas of the house.
• Rule #7: Don’t use a heater with a damaged cord.  Don’t plug anything else into the outlet your heater is plugged into, and make sure you check your heater’s plug often to make sure it’s still in good condition.
• Rule #8: Keep your electric heater away from children, and make sure that you don’t leave a heater on in a room with an untended or sleeping child, for example in a child’s bedroom while he is sleeping.
• Rule #9:  Keep your heater on a flat surface, generally this should be the floor unless your heater is specifically made to sit on a table top.

If you are careful to follow these rules, and you take good care of your electric heater, including portable heaters and infrared heaters, you really shouldn’t have any problems with it.  Happy heating this cold winter!

More and more people are beginning to use the natural gas heater as their primary heating source. In fact, in America natural gas heating is more common than any other type of heating, including the much more expensive electrical heating.  Consistently, when renovating, home owners are often doing away with the more expensive heating systems and converting to a natural gas system. While it does cost a little to do the initial conversion, enough savings are made by heating homes using natural gas to make it worthwhile.

Just about any kind of heater, or heating system, can be run off natural gas from home central heating to small wall or space heaters, and even ventless gas fireplaces. It is also easy to install a natural gas water heater, thus cutting back electricity costs even further.

There are many other reasons, besides the savings made from installing a natural gas heater, that people like them.  The warm, sometimes blue, flame and glow they give off and the consistent heat makes rooms cozy and comfortable. They heat up fairly quickly, are practically noiseless and don’t give off any unusual odors or smells.

Also, having a heating system independent from electricity means that even if the electricity goes off for a time your home can remain warm.

It is said that natural gas heaters are more environmentally friendly than many other types of heating, especially wood or propane heaters.

One thing to note is that due to problems that could result from improperly installed systems, it is recommended or in some cases required that the gas heating system is installed by a gas technician. If you’re switching to a gas system from an electric system, this can usually be accomplished fairly quickly and easily, at minimum cost.  It is, naturally much more expensive to install an entire system from scratch although the money saved from installing natural gas heaters over an electric system will soon make up for installation costs.

If you are only looking to install a heater in one room, then a simple natural gas wall heater, natural gas space heater or natural gas fireplace should suffice.  It will give plenty of heat, enough to heat up one room comfortably.  Likewise, if you’re looking into heating up your garage you will likely find that the natural gas garage heater will be perfect for what you need–simple to operate, and fast at heating up the single room or garage.

There are a few safety functions to look for when buying a natural gas heater. One of the first things you should make sure your gas heating unit has is an oxygen depletion sensor.  This helps protect oxygen levels in the room by shutting off the heater if oxygen levels are depleted below what is healthy for you.

If gas flow is interrupted at any time, it’s important that the pilot light is shut off. So, look for natural gas heaters that automatically shut down the pilot light whenever gas flow is cut off. Otherwise the unit may overheat and become damaged, or if the gas suddenly comes on it could even explode.

If the gas flow into the heater is regulated you’ll find that the heat will be steady and more even, and the heater will work so much better. A well regulated gas flow also helps to conserve gas consumption.