convector room heater - safe to run?

free4440273 · 31 March 2007 at 12:46PM

hi folks, wondering if you can give me some advice. i have just bought a house; house is warm but one of the upstairs bedroom does bot have a radiator. because of the layout of the house (it's a chalet type house with underfloor heating in all the rooms; bathrooms have normal radiators) i do not want to start ripping up floorboards just to install a single radiator in this only upstairs bedroom (not at the moment anyway). the room is very cold as you can imagine and it just needs some tender loving care. just to get me through would a convector heater be safe and (reasonably) economical to run in your opinion (such as link below). i am not just wanting to keep the room superficially warm (for the person living in there) but because, longer term, if it is left without warmth then this will cause more problems. i don't anticipate leaving the heater on all day by any means - just for short runs etc. sorry for the long post: would really appreciate your advice. also argos also sell oil-filled radiators: is there a major difference; i just want something convenient and which warms the room up. thanks as always folk

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0521383/Trail/C%24cip%3D50160.Kitchen%2Band%2Blaundry%3EC%24cip%3D50170.Heaters%2Band%2Bcoolers%3EC%24cip%3D50177.Convector%2Bheaters.htm

missile · 31 March 2007 at 1:32PM

You might be better with an oil filled radiator, like http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0520449/Trail/C%24cip%3D50160.Kitchen%2Band%2Blaundry%3EC%24cip%3D50170.Heaters%2Band%2Bcoolers%3EC%24cip%3D50175.Oil%2Bfilled%2Bradiators.htm

thescouselander · 31 March 2007 at 1:33PM

Yes, I imagine that would be ok. I'm going to get something similar for our conservatory. Running costs will depend on how much you have it switched on. How big is the room?

missile · 31 March 2007 at 1:52PM

Convector heater will give more rapid response but oil filled is better for low level heating. You could plug in either via a time clock.

Both are "safe" to use but you must be careful never to cover a convector - can cause fire.

free4440273 · 31 March 2007 at 4:56PM

thescouselander wrote: »

Yes, I imagine that would be ok. I'm going to get something similar for our conservatory. Running costs will depend on how much you have it switched on. How big is the room?

thanks. my arithmetic is appaling - the size of the room is approx 3metres by 2.5metres (it's not the master bedroom, but next one down).

free4440273 · 31 March 2007 at 5:00PM

missile wrote: »

Convector heater will give more rapid response but oil filled is better for low level heating. You could plug in either via a time clock.

Both are "safe" to use but you must be careful never to cover a convector - can cause fire.

thanks. sorry for the following stupid questions: is low level heating what i should really be concerned about; and do the oil filled radiators actually have to be filled with oil regularly; and third which particular oil? thanks

Poppycat · 31 March 2007 at 5:03PM

I got one of these the other day and they are quick to heat room up and pretty safe as long as you leave some space for them. They also have various hear settings smallest being 400w.

1.6kW Halogen Heater £19.99

PurpleDuck · 31 March 2007 at 5:37PM

free4440273 wrote: »

thanks. sorry for the following stupid questions: is low level heating what i should really be concerned about; and do the oil filled radiators actually have to be filled with oil regularly; and third which particular oil? thanks

Don't have to be filled at all so don't worry about that

rosekitten · 31 March 2007 at 6:26PM

we have one of the halogen fires they are good
even on the lowest setting

Nobleck · 31 March 2007 at 10:03PM

Convector heaters are the quickest way of heating a room, whereas oil filled radiators tend to take ages to heat a room.
Oil filled radiators get very hot to the touch whereas convector heaters cool down very rapidly.
On an energy point of view there probably isn't much difference , as the long running of an oil rad to heat up a room would probably cost the same as a sort burst with a convector heater.
Goodluck with your choice either heater would be sufficient however i favor the Convector.

joughtib · 31 March 2007 at 10:21PM

We've been running a 2kw convector heater in our conservatory over the winter, and our electric bill is horrendous! Just a word of caution, yes they heat a room quick, but you'll heat it quicker when you get the electric bill, with the running around the room screaming!

We've now got a gas portable fire, which is used in small doses (with plenty of ventilation!)

convector room heater - safe to run?

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