With winter arriving and heating prices rising, many people are looking for energy-efficient ways to heat their homes. Electric heaters are a common method of heating single rooms or other small areas. Used correctly to heat individual areas while keeping the heat off in the rest of the building – electric heaters can cut down on fuel bills and fight off the winter chill at the same time. With the wide variety of different types of electric heater out there, it isn’t always easy to know which one is right for your home.

A few key features can make an electric heater safer and more efficient. These features aren’t only found in the most expensive heaters. Affordable electric heaters can be excellent choices.

Grille

The most important feature of any electric heater is a grille over the heating elements. This can prevent not only painful burns from contact with the heater but also the risk of fire from flammable objects touching the heating element. Similarly, an automatic shutoff feature that turns off the heater when it stops being level can help to reduce the risk of fire. These two safety features are indispensable when looking for an electric heater.

Thermostat

In addition to safety, there are several features that can improve an electric heater’s efficiency. A thermostat shuts the heater off when the area reaches a preset temperature and switches it back on when the temperature falls below this level. By only activating the heater when necessary to keep the area at a consistent temperature, the thermostat prevents wasted energy. This is important because of the large amount of electricity these heaters consume.

A good space heater will be able to select between a number of different heat levels. This allows the user to select a comfortable temperature and ensures that heat is not being wasted. An electric heater generates heat by passing a current through a heating element, reducing the heat output cuts down on electricity consumption.

An ultra slim-line heater

Casing

Electric heaters come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes with casings in a wide range of materials. Some of the differences between these are superficial, important mainly in making sure that a heater blends in with its surroundings. Some casings have advantages over others. Plastic casings tend to be lightweight, but can be fragile, while ceramic casings combine both lightness and durability.

An electric heater can add versatility to a home heating plan, cutting down on fuel consumption without sacrificing warmth. The right combination of features can make a space heater safer, easier to use and more efficient.

BIO: This is a guest post on behalf of Economy Radiators who specialise in electric heaters

We hope you find this information helpful if you are considering purchasing a space heater.  With the temperatures dropping and heating costs rising, the right space heater can help you lower your energy costs and, when used correctly, can be a safe way of heating small areas of your home! ~ Gary