Cost Efficient Energy Efficient Portable Heater

[RobbieGong]

Any recommendations please. I've been using one of these basic Delonghi heaters for years http://www.comparison.com.au/heaters/DeLonghi/HN20-2 It's been great for what it is but i'm sure it pushes the electric bill up quite a lot. I'm after something that is not expensive to buy or run but throws a decent heat.

[Ninanina]

Hi Robert... the best I've used have been the Delonghi Dragon range. They are oil filled but work quite differently than most oil filled heaters as they use a convection system. I've tried normal oil filled heaters and there is no comparison so for the same 2kw (or other ouput) the Dragon series kick out much more heat

I paid about £70 for my Dragon years ago but I think they have gone up a bit now

[RobbieGong]

Hi Robert... the best I've used have been the Delonghi Dragon range. They are oil filled but work quite differently than most oil filled heaters as they use a convection system. I've tried normal oil filled heaters and there is no comparison so for the same 2kw (or other ouput) the Dragon series kick out much more heat

I paid about £70 for my Dragon years ago but I think they have gone up a bit now

Thanks a lot Bev will defo look into :)

[dave2010]

Hi Robert... the best I've used have been the Delonghi Dragon range. They are oil filled but work quite differently than most oil filled heaters as they use a convection system. I've tried normal oil filled heaters and there is no comparison so for the same 2kw (or other ouput) the Dragon series kick out much more heat

I paid about £70 for my Dragon years ago but I think they have gone up a bit nowPut "delonghi dragon 4" into the Amazon search box, and you'll find several - mostly over £100, but with power ratings of 1.5kW, 2kW, 2.5kW and also with and (presumably) without timers and some form of climate control. At one level for a given power input the overall average effect should be the same, but I'm guessing that Robert wants to have some "real" heat to feel good - so probably means something which goes up to a high temperature for a while, but keeps the average consumption down by careful control once a stable temperature has been reached.

In small, well insulated rooms, stable temperatures can be maintained, but in cold areas this is not really possible - not without putting more power in anyway. What might make a difference to comfort would probably be related to directionality - for example if one wants to spend time in a room on a chair typing at a computer, having a directional blast of heat might feel much more comfortable than having a heater which simply raises the background temperature slightly. We have one room which definitely has this probllem. In cold weather it's almost impossible to keep comfortable temperatures without putting in a lot of energy. Not all rooms are so problematic, though.

[RobbieGong]

I hear ya Dave. I'm after something that gives good heat (doesnt have to be central heating levels) whilst not wacking the ole lekkie bill up - yep cost / energy efficient. I'd put one in the hall way and one upstairs while the central heating is off and doesnt necessarily need to be on. Comfort on those not quite 'very cold' days, when you do need the central heating on - if you know what I mean :)

[dave2010]

If you're using gas for central heating it might still be cheaper to have the CH on rather than to use a separate electric heater. It's a matter of scale though. Only you can decide. There's perhaps not a lot of point in having the CH on to keep unused rooms just a tad warmer than otherwise - except to prevent frost/water damage.

In the past, I used to use fan heaters for quick heat, which work well enough in suitable enclosed rooms. It can be important to keep doors closed if there are adjacent cold areas. The oil filled heaters are good at taking the chill off - providing the rooms are not so cold and badly insulated that it all leaks away rapidly, but no good for quick heat. Some people seem much more unable to adapt to cold rooms.

Basically for electric heaters cost should be related more or less directly to the rated output, and the time the heater is on, though the latter factor will effectively be modified by climate control and thermostats. The issue raised is probably about comfort levels for a given expenditure. Costs for gas heating should be significantly lower, but the point you've made is about whether it is worth heating a large volume (whole house) using lower cost fuel, versus just heating the areas where the heat is wanted, even if the fuel is more expensive.

Comfort factors really do depend on the application. Coming into a cold house from outside, one might want to warm up rapidly. You could install an exercise bike - that'd warm you up. Alternatively buy pullovers and thick clothing!