plug-in electric heater efficiency

somefunky

can any1 pls tell me which is the most energy efficient beween plug-in halogen heaters and plug-in oil-filled heaters. electric is my only heating option but i only require a few hours early evening so storage heaters are a waste.

Premier_2

As near in dammit, there is no difference in efficiency of either type of electrical heater you mention.

However the syle of heating is somewhat different. The oil filled radiator is actually a convector/conductor heater (it heats the air) whilst the halogen heater is more a radiator (i.e. it radiates the heat, rather than heating the air - once you move out of the direction of the the radiated heat, you'll not feel very warm)

markharding557

you realize of course any plug in heater will use full rate power not e7.
you need to take account of this when you work out costs

Jabberwock

markharding557 wrote: »

you realize of course any plug in heater will use full rate power not e7.
you need to take account of this when you work out costs

I was under the impression that any usage (regardless of the appliance) was charged at the lower rate as long as it fell between the E7 timings, or at least that's what I was told by my supplier when I purchased my house.....................oh heck, I'm all confused now!!:D

Cardew

Jabberwock wrote: »

I was under the impression that any usage (regardless of the appliance) was charged at the lower rate as long as it fell between the E7 timings, or at least that's what I was told by my supplier when I purchased my house.....................oh heck, I'm all confused now!!:D

That is the normal situation with Economy 7, the electricity for the whole house is at cheap rate during the 7 hours of cheap rate electricity.

However few of us use plug in heaters(as opposed to storage heaters) in the early hours of the morning.

There are some variations of cheap rate electricity tariffs where the house is wired so only immersion heaters and storage heating is at cheap rate and the rest of the house is on day rate 24/7.

somefunky

thanks. so is it a myth that blow heaters use more electricity? and what would be the advantages of convector vs oil-filled?

richardc1983

Yep... they all use the same, a 2kw fan heater will use the same as a 2kw convector or oil filled the only difference is the way they distribute heat.

Heres a guide on the differences of electric heaters... feel free to press the thanks button!

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BuyingGuideCmd?langId=-1&storeId=20001&bgTrail=00027

Jabberwock

Cardew wrote: »

That is the normal situation with Economy 7, the electricity for the whole house is at cheap rate during the 7 hours of cheap rate electricity.

However few of us use plug in heaters(as opposed to storage heaters) in the early hours of the morning.

There are some variations of cheap rate electricity tariffs where the house is wired so only immersion heaters and storage heating is at cheap rate and the rest of the house is on day rate 24/7.

Aha, it now becomes clear, thanks for taking the time to explain Cardew.
Cheers
Jabberwock

somefunky

thanks a lot richard - the link was very useful. so now i've sussed what i wanna buy, where should i look to get the best deals?

richardc1983

Ebay are best for the plug in halogen heaters...

tell me what you have decided to buy and I will have a look round on the net for you for the best offers etc...

Ive nothing better to do at the moment so pleased to help...

Regards
Richard.

somefunky

thats really kind of u richard - and on the theme of heating there's ultimately nothing so warming as kindness! it seems a 'non-oil filled' heater would be good for me, with variable temperature settings.
regards
clara