Many people consider halogen heaters to be both safer and more energy efficient, when it comes to portable heaters, than many other types of heaters including electric models. Whereas most electric heaters use electric coils to heat, a halogen heater uses halogen elements to provide heat, and they provide radiant heat rather than heat by convection. For this reason they are often used in outdoor settings as well as indoors, and as such halogen patio heaters are also widely used. An oscillating halogen heater will turn in much the same way as a floor standing fan will turn, thus distributing heat evenly around the room. Not all halogen heaters oscillate however, many resemble regular electric space heaters that stand on the floor in a stationary location.

There are different concerns regarding halogen heater safety.  Most modern halogen electric heaters are perfectly safe to use; oftentimes even safer than regular space heaters.  They are made with built in safety devices. As with many heaters these days, they are made to automatically shut down in the event that they are tipped over.  Thus there is virtually no chance that they will fall over and cause something to catch on fire.  Many also have a casing that is cool when touched. This means that if anyone happens to touch the outside of the heater while it is on they will not get burned. Clothing or other items that come in contact with the casing are also not in any danger of catching alight.

Another safety concern that has been brought up from time to time is in regards to the fact that halogens are supposedly toxic. While it is true that they are toxic, the amount of toxicity is very little. The halogen used in heater elements is usually iodine or bromine. While both of these chemicals are toxic if exposed to the skin or the eyes there is little chance of that ever happening. In fact, some sources state that there is more danger from an exploding or broken fluorescent tube than from broken halogen heater bulbs; however if a tube does break you should probably be careful around it just as you would around a broken fluorescent tube. In reality there is little to no need to worry about this as the amount of halogen in any tubes is very minimal in any case.

When it comes to halogen heater efficiency, there could hardly be a more efficient space heater. The halogen heaters instant heat is great for quickly warming up a room or surrounding area. They also use considerably less electricity to run and to warm the air than a regular electric space or convection heater. So, while you may pay a little more initially to buy the heater than you would a similar sized portable electric heater, you will soon pay back any extra spent on utility savings.

Halogen heater prices depend on the size and type of heater you buy. Naturally the larger models will cost more than the smaller heaters, which is the case no matter what type of heating you buy. Common sizes are 400W, 800W and 1200W heaters. You can also buy later 1600W units though these are not as common as the more typical smaller sizes. If you are looking for cheap halogen heaters you should probably search online and compare prices till you find one that seems as though it will be suitable for your needs. Remember to read any reviews that are written about any heaters using halogen that you are interested in buying as you can learn a lot from other people’s experiences with specific brands and heaters; this is especially important if you are planning on finding the cheapest you can. You will want to make sure that even though cheap, it still is effective.

The heaters are usually quite lightweight yet still do a great job of heating a room up well. While this short review has mainly covered indoor halogen heaters, there is also a very good selection of outdoor halogen heaters such as the halogen patio heater available. In general most halogen heaters do not have a lot of features. For example, they rarely include a thermostat though they often come with a built in timer. You can find a selection of halogen heaters remote controlled which is a plus if you want to set the heater in your bedroom and then turn it off at night before going to sleep, without having to get out of bed.

Perhaps the main complaint or con that you hear most often about these heaters is that they are very bright, and light up the surroundings quite a lot. For that reason, they may not be the best choice of a heater if you want something to stay on all night in your room while you sleep, particularly if you are a light sleeper. However, if the fact that they provide light as well as heat does not bother you, then you may find that a halogen heater is a great choice for indoor use especially if you are looking for additional heating yet want to save as much money as you can on operational costs.

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 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 is usually fairly inexpensive. Larger units, or those that are more decorative may cost more.

Many people wonder if it is safe to leave a heater on all the time or just when in the room. It all depends on the heater.  I would not leave a small portable electric space heater on in the room if I was going to be gone for any length of time. Modern space heaters will turn off if they are tipped over, for example. But they do not have the necessary safety measures built in, which would help should a heater over-heat.  I don’t know if there are any space heater safe to leave on when you are gone.  Definitely, the small bar heaters or other electric heaters should be turned off if you are not going to be in the house.  They should also be turned off at night, when you are sleeping.

I have been asked often, “How fast can electric heaters catch fire?” It all depends on the heater, and what is around it. Normally an electric heater will not just ‘catch fire’.  Reasons that electric heaters catch fire are usually because of improper and inadequate wiring.  Or, they are positioned too close to curtains or other flammable materials that catch fire, and then cause the heater to catch on fire.

If you want a heater that you can leave on, even when sleeping, and you do not have central heating, I would recommend the oil filled radiator. If you are wondering, “Is it ok to use electric heater when sleeping?” I would have to say that it depends on the heater.  Small portable space heaters–no.  Electric oil filled radiators?–Yes!  Generally, oil filled radiators are safe heaters to leave on when no-one is there.  Using that type of heater is one occasion when it is fine to be sleeping with an electric heater on.   You can even leave oil filled radiators on all day without causing any danger.

Normally I would suggest that you unplug unattended electric heaters.  If you are wondering, ‘can I leave an oil filled radiator on all the time?’  The same would apply. If your oil filled radiator will be unattended for long periods of time, while you are at work for example, then you should turn it off.  One great thing about oil filled radiators is that they often come with not only a thermostat that will regulate temperature within a room, but they also have a timer.  So, you can turn your radiator off in the morning when you leave for work but program it so that it will turn on an hour or so before you arrive back home from work.  This way you will have the security of knowing that your home is protected during the day and you do not have electric heaters running, but you will also know that your home will be warm when you step through the door as the timer will have turned your heater on in enough time to warm up your living quarters.

An oil filled radiator is one electric heater that is safe for children and pets.  Last winter my cat rubbed up too close to a portable electric heater, the bar kind, and she ended up singeing her fur. While I did feel sorry for her, I also had to laugh as it was not a bad burn by any means but it must have given her a bit of a shock and she had a patch of fur that was slightly brownish rather than gray for quite a few weeks!  She has since learned to respect heaters!

Some of the main oil filled radiator tips are to plug your heater directly into the wall socket, and not an extension cord. Do not lay towels or other clothes over the heater when it is turned on. Set the heater on a timer if you are going to be out of the house for any length of time.  Aside from those few considerations, I think that oil filled radiators are some of the safest heaters to use in your home.

I have also received quite a few questions regarding propane heating in general, and this has prompted me to write another post which will hopefully try to answer or at least give some input on the different (and varied) questions people have posed these past couple of months.

Propane Heaters

While propane heaters have been used for a good while now to heat up patios and outdoor areas as well as garages, and of course they are great to use when camping as well, they are now becoming more popular to use indoors as well.

The gas fires up quickly and propane heaters are able to generate a nice lot of heat fairly quickly if you use the right type of heater. This is why they are perfect to use in garages or other work areas where you need fairly instant heat in the middle of winter. Propane space heaters are the choice of heater for heating up a smaller work space quickly. These small portable propane heaters turn on right away, begin generating heat as soon as they are on and can very effectively heat up a smaller space. If you are heating up a larger area, a living room for example, you may need to make sure the propane heater you buy has a fan on it to propel the warm air around the room.

The main pro with propane heaters is that they can be used in areas where there is no electricity. They can also be used when the electricity goes off, which is great for those moments when something like that does happen. I have always had a small propane heater around for times just like that and it has come in very handy. Incidentally, living in an area that uses predominantly electricity for all energy sources, we have also always had a little barbecue that runs off propane as well. They are great to heat up water for a cup of tea or coffee when the electricity is out, and you can even cook a simple meal on it too.  Of course, electricity does not go out nearly as much as it used to, but there have been times in recent years when we have had to resort to a barbecued dinner.

It goes without saying that whenever you use propane gas for heating or for cooking, you need to make sure that the room has sufficient ventilation. Propane gas, when burned, gives off dangerous carbon dioxide fumes which can lead to death if they build up too high in a room.  Every year you still hear of propane heater deaths even though people have  been warned about this. Modern propane heaters, at least the more expensive ones, come with an automatic shutdown feature that will shut off the heater if it senses that carbon dioxide levels are getting too high in a room. That is a very good feature to have if you plan on using a portable propane heater in inside enclosed spaces without proper venting.

Best Propane Heaters for Indoors

Of course it all depends on the size of the area you are wanting to heat. If you are planning on  heating a living room or a larger area, or even a spare bedroom, you should look at the forced air versions which have a fan that will propel the warm air out into the room. There is a large range of these, with sizes varying greatly to the point that there are some that could quite comfortably heat up a large sized living room or kitchen. You are also able to easily vary the heat on propane heaters as most of the better sized one come with a thermostat and temperature controls.

If you just want to heat up your campervan a small radiant heater should work quite nicely and it would be a good deal less expensive to buy and operate.

A good tip when buying heaters is to always estimate a little on the high side. It is much easier to turn down a heater or to lower the thermostat than to cope with a heater that just is not big enough to do the job.

Best Propane Garage Heater

There is a lot of differing of opinion when it comes to deciding what are good propane garage heaters. Personally I like the bigger, vented units that sit up high on the wall and look a bit like a window unit airconditioner.  They are great space savers, and you do not have to worry about moving them around or tripping over them as they are up out of the way.  Of course, I use my garage a lot as a work area, I am constantly in there and I do need good heating so that I can work with my hands free of gloves.

One model that is very popular, that can be wall mounted is the Dayton G73 model. It is big enough to heat up a double sized garage and can cover up to 500 square feet. The thermostat is accurate and there is also an automatic safety shut off feature that will turn the heater off if it starts to overheat.  It is touted by many as being the perfect garage heater. A unit will set  you back over $250, but that is really very little when you consider how good a heater it is and how long it will last you.

If you are installing a garage heater you need to be aware of garage propane heater ventilation. Usually, with garages, ventilation is not such a big deal as most of the garages I have been in are drafty at best. However, a lot of people are now insulating their garages in order to keep the cold out better. If you have insulated your garage and you end up installing a propane gas garage heater make sure that it is either vented or that you have good ventilation whenever you are working in there.

Propane Golf Cart Heater

Well, I suppose golf must go on, even in the dead of winter. I do not play myself, but I have received quite a few questions about the best propane golf cart heaters. It makes a lot of sense to me to use propane heaters in a golf cart as you are out on the course, away from all other sources of energy.

You will be pleased to note, if you are a winter time golfer, that there are quite a few good propane golf heaters on the market, designed specifically to be used in the golf cart. Coleman make a range of very good golf cart heaters.  The Coleman 5036-850 GolfCat Catalytic Propane Heater seems to have received the best reviews, although there are several other models sold by Coleman that looked to me like they would work quite nicely.  Overall this did seem to be the best brand when it comes to golf cart heaters.

There are, however, a few different things to take into consideration that may affect the outcome of your electric heater calculations and your heat gain calculation.

The first thing to figure out is how energy efficient the room is. For example, a modern building that is fully insulated will require about 10 watts of heat per square foot.  If, however you have little insulation and your home was not built to be energy efficient, chances are that you may need to up that amount to 12 watts per square foot.  For an older home that has no insulation, where the windows are quite drafty and not  well placed you may need to count on 15 watts per square foot.

Another thing to take into consideration is the height of your rooms too.  Regular ceiling height is around eight feet.  If your ceiling is higher, however, for example in a conservatory or in an older styled home you need to increase the wattage of the heater by 25 percent for every two feet of height over the regular height of 8 feet.

Likewise in rooms with a lot of glass windows, again the conservatory comes to mind, or even a living room with big wall to wall windows, or sliding glass doors that lead to an outside patio, you also need to increase the wattage of the heater by 25 percent or more, depending on the amount of glass in your room.

If you find that your heating needs are over 2000 watts, it might be best and more efficient to buy two heaters, rather than just getting one big one. This will distribute the heat more evenly around the room, thus saving you money in the long run because the heaters will be better regulated and will operate at a lower temperature. Just using one heater to heat up a big room may not be that effective. You may find the end of the room away from the heater will be quite cool still and the heater will be forced to run all the time as the thermostat will never turn off.

Some examples:

1. Heating a 12 x 10 foot room, in a modern day, energy efficient room:  You would need to get a heater that is at least 1200 watts.
2. Heating a 12 x 10 foot room, with 10 feet high ceilings:  You would need 1200 + 25% or a 1500 watt heater.
3. Heating a 12 x 10 foot room in an older house that is not insulated:  You would need 1800 watt heater.
4. Heating a 22 x 15 foot room in a house that has large glass windows all along one side:  The room is 330 square feet so you would need a heater that is 3300 plus an additional 25% because of the glass windows, giving a total of 4,125 watts. In this instance you would probably want to invest in two heaters, installing them at opposite ends of the room.

There are many online sites that will provide you with an electric heater calculator that will quickly and easily provide you with a way to determine your heating needs. You will need to know the size of your room and be able to answer simple questions relating to ceiling height, insulation and other basic structural formations. You will also need some idea of the optimum temperature you would like to sustain while the heater is on. Some may find it easier to use these sites, than to try to figure out all of the details. You will

When buying your heater, it is likely that you often won’t be able to find one that is the exact wattage you need. If that is the case, you should just buy the next size up. Of course ,you should also consult with a local electrician before installing your electric wall heater as they often need to be on their own breaker.  In some areas, you also need to have a registered electrician install them, so be sure to find out if that is the case in your area before going ahead with a self-installation.

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.

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.

One option for this winter is to turn your central heating down a few degrees, and dress more warmly. That will definitely prove to be a saving. If someone in your home isn’t comfortable with the lowered heating, or if they have special needs, (such as a nursery, for example) you could always buy a portable heater to put in the room so that only one room has to be warmer.

Alternatively you can switch off your central heating all together and simply buy electric space heaters. Portable electric heaters are much more economical to run these days than they were years ago, and it is a very real possibility that you could actually save on heating costs by choosing to heat your home with portable electric heaters.  The great thing about buying portable heaters is that they can be moved from room to room, as needed, which makes them an ideal choice for small families, singles, or couples without children.   Use them in the living room in the evening, then move them into the bedroom  as you prepare to go to bed.

There are two types of portable electric heaters, radiant heaters and those that rely on convection or the circulation of air to heat a room.  Radiant heaters are a great choice if you are only needing to heat the room for a few hours and providing you can stay in direct line with the heater (as radiant heat heats up objects within their line of sight.)

If you are planning on using the heater to heat up an area for an evening, or all day, then you would be better off running a convection heater as that will heat up the air in the entire room.  Portable electric heaters are great as they do not need to be vented, and are safe to operate within your home.

No matter what type of portable electric heater you buy there are some safety guidelines to keep in mind. Remember that they should always be plugged directly into the wall socket (or into a very heavy gauge wire extension cord) and they should have built in safety switches that will turn the electric heater off if it happens to get tipped over. Remember too, that small children and pets have been burned by getting too close to an electric heater, so unless you are using an oil-filled portable electric heater, make sure that your children or pets can’t come in contact with the heater.

are a great choice if you are only needing to heat the room for a few hours and providing you can stay in direct line with the heater (as radiant heat heats up objects within their line of sight.)

If you are planning on using the heater to heat up an area for an evening, or all day, then you would be better off running a convection heater as that will heat up the air in the entire room.  Portable electric heaters are great as they do not need to be vented, and are safe to operate within your home.

No matter what type of portable electric heater you buy there are some safety guidelines to keep in mind. Remember that they should always be plugged directly into the wall socket (or into a very heavy gauge wire extension cord) and they should have built in safety switches that will turn the electric heater off if it happens to get tipped over. Remember too, that small children and pets have been burned by getting too close to an electric heater, so unless you are using an oil-filled portable electric heater, make sure that your children or pets can’t come in contact with the heater.

While swimming during cooler months is not necessarily an enjoyable experience, if you swim in competitions or if you are using swimming as a primary means of exercise you may be willing to go ahead with swimming in heated swimming pools. I have not had such good experiences swimming in heated pools, though they do keep you warm when the air temperature around you drops, but I have to admit I did learn to swim during fall in a heated public swimming pool.

If you live in an area where you have ready access to gas, then the simplest way for you to heat your pool may well be by using a gas pool heater. Most gas pool heaters are installed outside, near your pool filter and they are specifically built so that exposure to the weather will not damage them in any way and they usually have a hood covering them. It is not essential to install the heater close to the filter, but it usually is simpler just to have all of your pool accessories grouped together in one place for easy access.  It does need to be placed on a level base, and it’s usually a good idea to build it up with bricks or concrete slabs or some other sturdy material.

Your pool pump will push the water through the heater and then the heater water will be pushed into the pool and circulated in this manner.  Pool heaters generate quite a bit of heat, so you do need to make sure they are not in close proximity to anything combustible and make sure that small children or pets can’t come in contact with them while they’re on either.

If you choose to install your gas pool heater indoors, in a garage or other enclosed space, you must make sure that the heater is vented.  Pool heaters should not be installed indoors without adequate vents installed at the same time. For this reason, many people simply choose the easier way of installing their pool heaters outdoors instead.

The additional cost of heating a pool during winter needs to be offset as much as possible, in order to both save energy and to save your money too! One of the best ways to both keep the heat in the pool and to enlist solar energy to heat up your pool more is by investing in solar swimming pool covers. These solar blankets are a great money saver, and you really shouldn’t consider heating your pool unless you use one of these as well.  A word of caution though, take the cover off completely when swimming in your pool, and place it beside the pool.

Of course, it also goes without saying that you should turn the heater down very low if you are not planning on using it for some time or if you are going away. If you only plan on using it during fall, for example, but not during winter, then you could also turn it all the way off.

Cables inside the electric baseboard heater warm the air which is then pushed out from the baseboard unit.  Cold air is sucked in and the heating process continues in this cyclic manner.  They are not as efficient to use, for heating purposes, as central heating for example but they do a much better job at heating than the typical portable space heater does.

Temperature is normally controlled by the use of thermostats that are installed in each room. Once the air being sucked back into the electric baseboard heater reaches the temperature on the thermostat, the electric unit shuts down until the temperature in the room drops. This means that rooms that get a lot of use during winter can be warmed, while any rooms that are in disuse during winter can have their thermostat down so low that the heater rarely comes on. Being able to adjust the thermostat if needed makes the electric baseboard heater fairly practical to use.

Of course the main con in many people’s mind with the electric baseboard heater is that it takes up floor space and they can sometimes clash with a room’s overall décor.  Not much can be done about their taking up space, but it is possible to decorate or paint the unit so that it matches with your furnishings, if needed.  They also need to be installed in an area where there is good air flow so can’t be semi-hidden behind curtains or the couch, or near wall hangings as they may catch on fire. In order to stimulate good heat and air circulation it is often suggested that they be placed underneath a window so that the cold air falls from the window at the same time as warm air is rising from the heater.  If they are placed at baseboard level beneath a window there needs to be at least twelve inches minimum clearance from curtains for safety reasons.

Electric baseboard heaters are great to use in bedrooms, where their quiet operation doesn’t disturb sleep and the fact that they can be controlled using a thermostat makes it easy to heat up the room when needed and turn the temperature down when the room is empty.