How to choose a fan heater

HOW TO CHOOSE AN ELECTRIC HEATER?

WHY USE AN ELECTRIC SPACE HEATER?

The main purpose of using a space heater is to provide warmth in a room to make it more comfortable. These small heaters are ideal for coping with the first temperature drops in the off-season, or more occasionally throughout the year. They can also supplement an insufficient central heating system. 

Space heaters are an effective solution to provide you with daily comfort and well-being as soon as the first chills of winter arrive. 

They help with:

- circulating air,

- increasing and controlling the room's temperature,

- raising your body temperature,

- limiting energy consumption compared to air conditioning. 

Conveniently, space heaters are mobile: they are easy to move from one room to another and store away once the winter season ends. 

HOW TO CHOOSE A SPACE HEATER?

To choose the right heater for your needs,

it’s important to consider certain factors:

ROOM SIZE

Space heaters are devices designed to heat small rooms or, more “locally,” a specific area, such as your feet under a desk. For example, in a bathroom, it's recommended to heat up to 24°C. To calculate the required heating power, calculate the room's volume (in m3) and multiply it by 100: length x width x ceiling height x 100 = heater power in watts (W).

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Note that space heaters are not particularly economical. Heaters need a certain level of inertia, meaning they must be able to store heat and slowly release it by radiation. This inertia depends on a heating process involving either a liquid (as in an oil-filled radiator) or a solid material (such as a ceramic core heater), which can sometimes be slow and energy-intensive.

HEATING POWER

To choose a heater that’s powerful enough, consider various factors: the power of your main heating system, the room's insulation, the volume to be heated, and the target temperature. Here are the recommended temperatures and required heater power per m3:

- Bedroom: 18°C, or 70W (so 1750W for a 10m² bedroom)

- Kitchen: 20°C, or 77W

- Office and living room: 20 to 22°C, or 85W

- Bathroom: 24°C, or 100W

TECHNOLOGY & STANDARDS

There are different types of space heaters. Make sure to choose the appropriate technology based on the heater's use and the environment in which you’ll place it. If you have children, to prevent burns, avoid radiant heaters as they become extremely hot to the touch. For a bathroom, opt for a heater with an IP21 rating.

NOISE LEVEL

This is an important criterion if you plan to use your space heater in a bedroom, office, or living area. Fan heaters, which use a fan to blow warm air into the room, are necessarily noisier than radiant or oil-filled heaters.

OPTIONS

Oscillating, fan-assisted, connected, with an integrated thermostat, remote control, timer, display screen, frost-free mode, tilt safety, overheat safety… Space heaters are packed with technology and offer numerous options. It’s up to you to choose your heater based on your needs!

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPACE HEATERS?

ELECTRIC CONVECTOR HEATERS

This is the most common type of heater. Affordable, they are the basic model of electric space heaters. Their operation is simple: an electric resistor heats the ambient air, which is released from the top of the device. The warm air rises into the room, and cold air is immediately drawn into the heater from below to replace it. This heating method is practical because the devices are lightweight. They heat up quickly, and the warmth is felt almost immediately. Some models even come with a fan. 

+ Affordable 
+ Available in multiple formats 
- High energy consumption 
- Dries out the air

OIL-FILLED HEATERS

These space heaters are known as "fluid inertia" heaters. A resistor is immersed in a liquid—mostly oil—that transports the generated heat and directly transfers it to the radiator’s material (usually cast aluminum). The fluid circulates in a closed circuit within the radiator, allowing it to heat by radiation. This heating method is economical. It takes longer to heat up, but the heat is released gradually, even after the heater is turned off. Due to their heavy weight, oil-filled heaters are generally equipped with wheels for easier transport. 

+ High inertia 
+ On wheels 
- Heavy
- Energy-intensive

CERAMIC CORE HEATERS

This type of electric heater operates using "dry inertia." Unlike fluid inertia heaters, no liquid is heated to release the heat. Instead, a solid material is used. For ceramic core heaters, a ceramic brick is heated. This refractory material withstands very high temperatures and stores heat well, releasing it slowly and consistently. Some models come with various options, including integrated thermostats or advanced heat release modes. 

+ Economical 
+ Fan models available 
+ Mobile 
- Fragile

RADIANT HEATERS

Like electric convectors, radiant heaters are a common type of space heater. Their operating principle is simple: the heater emits infrared rays that are invisible to the naked eye. These rays travel through the air until they encounter an object or material that absorbs them. This way, it’s the bodies and objects in the room that are directly heated, evenly. The room heats up quickly, and the thermal comfort is greater than with a convector. 

+ Immediate warmth 
+ Lightweight 
- Not recommended for use around children

TOWEL RAIL HEATERS

Towel rail heaters can either be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall, depending on the available space. There are various types, heating either by convection or radiation. Some models even come with a fan to increase the room’s temperature more quickly. Usually intended for bathroom use, these heaters must comply with IP21 standards, which ensure protection against water splashes when the device is in its normal position. If you have young children, these heaters are a good solution during bath time. 

+ Good inertia 
+ Practical 
- Only suitable for bathrooms

WHICH SPACE HEATER FOR MY BATHROOM?

In a bathroom, it may be useful to install a small electric heater. When your central heating is not yet on or has been turned off, or when collective heating is no longer running, these devices are an ideal solution to ensure your baby doesn’t catch a cold after their bath.

For you to feel warm, a space heater needs to heat quickly and effectively! It must raise the temperature of your bathroom rapidly and temporarily to provide comfort. The recommended temperature for a bathroom is 24°C.

These devices must comply with IP21 standards, which ensure your safety. This rating means the heater can withstand water splashes, and water can flow over it without causing harm. It also means that objects larger than 1.2 cm can be inserted without interfering with the heater’s operation (practical if you have children).

That said, avoid placing your space heater near a water source in a bathroom.

HOW TO DISTRIBUTE HEAT THROUGHOUT MY ROOM?

Save up to 30% on energy for heating! It’s simple: if you have a stand fan, point it towards the ceiling at low speed. Warm air tends to rise in rooms, creating thermal layers. Ventilating the warm air will help it circulate back down, maximizing your thermal comfort. This is called automatic destratification.

HOW TO MAINTAIN MY HEATER?

When using your space heater for the first time, especially after storage, remember to dust the fan blades and/or the filter and grilles. This prevents accumulated dust from being released into the air and helps avoid respiratory allergies. It also prevents the burning smell that can sometimes occur during the first few minutes of use. Repeat this cleaning process monthly.

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