How to Decide between an Electric Radiant or 'ceramic' Space Heater in a Open Plan/Poorly Insulated Area?

TiredKitty78 on 01/07/2024 - 23:58
Last edited 02/07/2024 - 12:59 by 1 other user

Thanks. We can skip the insulating and the you're just warming up the outside part, I know that already.

Tldr; small ceramic heater isn't enough. Need to heat things/people in front of the heater up to 3-6 metres away. In front. So would 'bright red' type radiant heaters do, or 'ceramic'? Both would have a fan built in. Between no insulation and open plan, that heats not staying put. It isn't enough to heat the air near it…right?

I have a small ceramic heater already. To small for the current space. Yes, there are windows I can literally feel the cold seeping in from that I need to put some insulation on.

So, I was also looking at your more traditional 'red glowing' radiant heaters. There's debate on if they 'warm the air' or not. And talk of how they warm the objects close to it, who then absorbs the heat and dispel excess…into the air? Idk. What I also hear is the tip of having a fan dispel that heat from the radiant heaters and…it's sounding same same but different to ceramic heaters.

I think the better part of the radiant heaters would be the strong warmth of things immediately in front. And this would help with the open plan since I'd want one that can maybe heat up the space/people in front for a bit before bed. (They seem to be like - are? - those patio heaters you have at restaurants/outdoors.) But keeping the chill away overnight would be good. Though likely unrealistic. But I hear some amazing things about large areas and 'infrared' heaters which may be different entirely, to confuse things more.

I'd be looking to have a distance of maybe 3-6 metres - likely with a huge drop off a metre from the radiant heaters.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 02/07/2024 - 00:58
    +3

    What are the dimensions of your space, including the ceiling height? Do you rent or own?

  • ssfps on 02/07/2024 - 03:57

    If you can't stop the air from cooling rapidly via circulating away (vents) or radiating/conducting through windows and ceilings, then you simply have to burn more energy to pump out more heat to reach an equilibrium you're happy with. If you want nice warm air in the room all heaters are going to do the same job with the same efficiency (sans an AC unit/heat pump/geothermal heating/etc).

    Or, point the heat directly at you rather than trying to heat the air in the room. For that you want the glowing red type radiators, or any heater with a strong directional fan that will blow it in your face. Of course that heat will dissipate no differently, but on its way out of your house it'll be warming part of your body.

    Personally, if I couldn't insulate and didn't have a cheap fuel source, i'd get electric blankets and only use the heater to take the edge off the chill.

    Also, check your ceiling vents if you haven't already. Closing up a couple of vents for winter halved my heating bill a few years back.

  • jackary on 02/07/2024 - 05:08
    +3

    Is a portable reverse cycle AC out of the question? It’ll be the most efficient, and do the best job… you’d probably pay off the upfront cost pretty quickly with power bill savings too.

  • mapax on 02/07/2024 - 07:33
    +8

    Anyone know anything about gas cooktops?

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 02/07/2024 - 07:58
      +6

      and indoor fire pits?

      • pegaxs on 02/07/2024 - 08:18
        +4

        I got a few heat bricks, if that would help?

        • miwahni on 02/07/2024 - 21:56
          +1

          Feel free to borrow my tongs.

      • dust on 03/07/2024 - 12:01
        +1

        Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

  • dtc on 02/07/2024 - 10:16

    Heaters of this kind are as efficient as each other. You need a bigger heater to heat more air in a shorter time; the type of heater doesnt really matter and is up to you. The fan distributes the air around the room but doesnt heat the air any more or less.

    As has been asked, are you renting or looking for a longer term solution (in which case a split system install is probably the best option)

    • dust on 03/07/2024 - 12:00

      Heaters of this kind are as efficient as each other.

      Exactly. Reverse cycle air con is much more efficient but will have a larger upfront cost.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 02/07/2024 - 10:44

    This will cost a lot in electricity

    Depending on your use case a heated blanket works wonders

  • Sammy2000 on 02/07/2024 - 11:04

    What about Oil heaters? I turn mine on and once heated, can keep one room warm for a while.

  • krisp on 03/07/2024 - 09:38
    +1

    How about infrared heaters? "Infrared radiation directly heats people and objects and does not heat the air" according to https://ecolivingexpert.com/infrared-heating-pros-and-cons-p…

    • TiredKitty78 on 05/07/2024 - 20:14

      I've heard about this, just not sure if they are the same as the 'glowing red' radiant heaters?

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