The selection and purchase of a quality home heater should be taken seriously.

If you are looking for an energy-efficient option that will reliably serve as an additional heat source at home during winter, rather than a quick solution that will increase your electricity costs, it is advisable to think about this in advance.

When choosing an additional heating device for the living room or office, perhaps the most convenient and obvious solution is an electric model. It requires no structural modifications — only a power source is needed. But among the many options available, which electric model should you choose? We present a useful guide on the types of electric heaters!

What types of electric heaters are available?

Household appliances are divided into types of home heating based on various criteria: heating technology, installation method, and purpose of use. Let’s take a look at all possible electric heating options for the home based on their characteristics:

• Heating technology

The most common classification divides them into types based on heat distribution methods and technologies:

Air heating: all fan heater models can be classified under this type of device.

Convection: this type of transfer is used in oil and convection radiators.

IR radiation: this heating technology is typical for infrared models, which can be produced in the form of lamps or ultra-thin panels.

Combination of convection and IR radiation: new-generation heating devices use this heat transfer method, which includes heating objects in the room through radiation and then distributing heat into the air and naturally transferring warmth.

• Installation methods

Regardless of the heating method, all types of heaters can have different installation methods and may be floor-standing, wall-mounted, tabletop, or ceiling-mounted. Among them are portable, easy-to-move, or permanently fixed models.

• Usage features

The place where the device will be used is very important: its purpose and area. An infrared model with directional heating or a fan heater can be suitable for open office spaces, while for a house or city apartment with a central heating system, an infrared panel made of glass or ceramic can serve as an additional electric heat source. A country house may require a combination of several devices at once.

Different types of electric models based on heating technology

Fan heater

A fan heater is the simplest and most affordable type of heating device. The model mainly combines a heating element and a fan placed in a plastic or metal корпус. Airflow is created by the fan, and as it passes through the heating components, it warms up and spreads evenly throughout the space. It is a lightweight and compact device that quickly distributes warm air throughout the room. However, its power may not be sufficient to heat a large room, so it is better used as an additional heater or for heating small spaces. This device burns the air and may produce an unpleasant burning smell during operation. This occurs when household dust comes into contact with the unprotected heating element.

Depending on the type of heating element, fan heaters are divided into two main groups: spiral or ceramic plates. Ceramic fan heaters are more comfortable and safer, as they operate at a relatively lower temperature, preventing excessive “burning” of oxygen and increasing their service life.

Oil heater

An oil heater is similar in appearance and working principle to a central heating radiator, but instead of water, it contains oil and an electric heating element that warms it. The oil heats the radiator корпус, and then the surrounding air. There is no exposed heating element in the radiator, so nothing dangerous happens if a newspaper or blanket falls on it. The oil radiator does not burn oxygen, so it can be used for long periods in rooms where people are present. Improved oil radiators are equipped with thermostats that allow regulation of heating intensity and prevent overheating, and some models feature programmable timers and LCD displays. It should be noted that an oil radiator is not the most mobile device, and moving it from one room to another or storing it for summer may be difficult.

Convection heaters

Its working principle is based on convection, and heat is distributed through the movement of air masses. The корпус of the convector is designed to allow cold air to enter through lower openings, come into contact with the heating element, and then exit through upper vents after being heated. Due to the directed movement of warm air, the space heats up quickly and evenly. Heating a room with a convector takes only a few minutes, and using the built-in thermostat, you can precisely select and maintain the desired temperature level throughout operation. As a rule, an electric convector is a fairly lightweight wall-mounted model, distinguished by a shape that better fits modern interiors compared to traditional oil heaters and by its compact size. It can be installed both on the floor and on any vertical surface: a mounting frame is fixed with screws, and the convector is placed on it.

Infrared heaters

In a classic infrared model, special lamps that emit in a spectrum invisible to the human eye and produce a large amount of heat are used as the heating element. Infrared models often require professional installation and are usually mounted on walls or ceilings. When properly installed, they can save up to 70% of electricity (and therefore reduce your electricity bill) compared to other types of heaters.

An infrared heater does not heat the surrounding air but rather the objects it is directed at. It emits heat energy that is absorbed by surrounding surfaces (floor, walls, furniture, etc.) like the sun. Thermal radiation, like ordinary light, is not absorbed by air, so all energy from the infrared model reaches heated surfaces and people without loss. At the same time, the average room temperature may be 2–3 degrees lower than optimal, but due to the direct absorption of energy from the infrared model, a person in its зоне воздействия will still feel comfortable.

Modern models are often designed as ceramic or tempered glass infrared panels, making them highly suitable for residential interiors.

Micathermic heaters

This is the latest generation of heating devices. It operates based on a combination of infrared waves (80%) and convection (up to 20%). Initial heating is carried out by exposing surrounding surfaces, including walls, to infrared radiation.

The main advantage of micathermic models is the low temperature of the корпус during operation. Thanks to this, families with small children can safely use the device without concern for safety.

The device consists of a plate with a mica coating that contains a heating element inside. Mica is a natural material with unique properties, which is why it is used as a first-class thermal and electrical insulation material. It is often used as an electrical insulator in many devices.

In micathermic models, the mica panel completely covers the device. As a result, the temperature of the heater’s корпус does not overheat, and even if you accidentally touch the working device, the risk of burns or electric shock is almost nonexistent.