Home heating with radiators

Portable heaters have proven to be an effective way to supplement existing traditional heating method and reduce heating costs at the same time.  In addition, the fact that they are portable, these systems can be placed in rooms that are being used, as well as being handy in an emergency, such as if the furnace breaks down or an interruption in service.

Electric, radiant and convection model heaters are the most common portable heaters available.  Electric heaters are simply plugged into the wall outlet.  However, if you must use an extension cord, then it must be a heavy-duty cord.  Electric heaters use either a heating wire, which is wrapped around a porcelain insulator, or, a ribbon element.  When shopping for a portable electric heater, look for the better quality systems that have a tip-over safety switch.  This feature will shut the heater off automatically if it is tipped over.  In addition, it is also beneficial to select models with thermostats, multiple heat settings, and small fans that will force the warm air deeper into the room.

Radiant heaters produce instant heat that heats objects in the room, including people instead of the air in the room.  Other systems that work in this manner are quartz and infrared heaters.  Radiant heaters contain an element that is encased in front of a reflector panel, which radiates the heat toward the objects in the room.  Currently, none of the radiant heaters on the market have thermostats you can set.  When purchasing a radiant heater, make sure that you select a model that has the safety automatically shut-off in case the heaters is tipped over.  In addition, when considering these heaters, the quarts heaters may require that the quartz rods be replaced, however, this is a simple process.

Convection heaters are the safest type of portable heater to be used around pets and small children.  These systems warm a room by heating the air, which rises and is then distributed around room.  However, these systems produce less heat than other types of portable heaters.

Ceramic heaters use a ceramic disk-heating element and are perfect for area heating.  These are also a safer heater when compared to other systems.  In addition, most ceramic heaters have a washable, reusable air-filter that helps to reduce air pollutants.

Possible the least safe portable heaters are the residential kerosene heaters, which use a wick and combustible fuel as the heating source.  However, the majority of these systems provide multiple safety features, including automatic safety shut-off switches that will shut off the system when bumped or accidentally knocked over, and grills to keep hands away from hot surfaces.  In addition, most models also have push-button or battery-operated igniters that eliminate the need for matches.

When considering a portable heater, make sure that you always look at the safety features that the system and model offers.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 25,000 residential fires occur each year due to the improper use of portable space heaters.  In addition, these fires result in more than 300 deaths.