Question about 'Energy Efficient' electric heaters

TG82

Hi, I just wondered whether anyone could enlighten or advise me on something.

I've seen some halogen heaters advertised on the Independent newspaper site, and they're BOGOF. They're supposedly energy efficient and most importantly, hot. Now, The Indy is a very environmentally conscientious paper, so I'm more inclined to believe there's something in it than I would be from other shopping sites.

What does energy efficient mean in the context of heaters?

For example, if I use 1200KW on one of these energy efficient heaters, surely I'd be using the same amount of electricity as if I was using 1200KW on a non-energy efficient? No? What's energy efficient about them?

These heaters have 3 settings - 400KW, 800 or 1200 - but that's like all heaters.

It says they cost 'from' 3p per hour, which I presume refers to 400 setting, so logically that would mean 9p per hour on 1200. That's still very cheap. I worked out my other electric heater costs over 20p per hour on full power. So does a double radiator.

So I suppose what I want is information. Is there a trick in all of this?

I get cold a lot and like heating, but obviously I like to save as much money as possible.

macman

Working on 10p per kWh, your other heater can only cost 20p an hour if it's a 2kW heater, so it will produce twice the heat of a 1kW heater.
All electric heaters of whatever type are 100% efficient and cost the same to run, given the same rating.
Some people claim to like the 'type' of heat that halogen heaters produce, but that's not related to the running cost.
The Indy are selling adverts to whoever wants to pay for them, end of story.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

the 3,6,9p per hour is based on 7.5p per unit, you would need to find out your own unit price to give you an idea of cost.

TG82

Hmmm, interesting.

So what you're saying is the only way it could be energy efficient is if a lower setting on these halogen heaters produced heat equal to the highest setting on my usual one. In which case, I could keep it on a lower setting and save money.

But if they're both on full power, they both cost the same (if they both have the same KW full power setting).

So really it comes down to whether I really believe they're hotter.

macman

They are not 'hotter'.
They are 'energy efficent': 100%. But then so are all electric heating devices, including my 20 year old 1 bar radiant heater.
If you turn a halogen one down to 1kw, 0.5kw or whatever, that is the heat it produces, no more, no less.
It's just marketing baloney, don't waste your money.

perthperson

As said above, they're not 'hotter' than any other heater or more energy efficient.

I've got one that I sometimes use for 'top up' heating if I'm sitting about on my own, if I come in late from work and can't be bothered lighting the fire - they're good if you just want to sit near them and have the heat directed at yourself, they don't feel as if they are heating up the room, though obviously they must be contributing to the heat in the room. They're not particularly attractive and give off a really bright light but they are cheap, I think mine was £12.99 a couple of years ago. If you have it on the lowest setting it's not using a lot of electricity.

For extra heating to the whole room I think oil filled electric radiators with a thermostat are good. You can get some that aren't too expensive. They give a more all round heat for the room and they're not too bad on electricity because they switch off when they reach a certain temperature and then switch back on again when they've cooled down a little. So if it's a 2 kW heater it won't actually use 2 kW in an hour as it's switching of and on during that hour.

Premier_2

TG82 wrote: »

...So I suppose what I want is information. Is there a trick in all of this?...

TG82 wrote: »

...
So really it comes down to whether I really believe they're hotter.

The trick is mostly marketing spin. As already mentioned all electric heaters are 100% efficient (or near as dammit - fan heaters for example waste a tiny amount spinning a fan)

But there is a technical difference between they type of heat that different heaters produce.

There are three different types of heat; conduction, convection and radiation.

Ironically radiators produce very little radiation but produce predominantly convection and conduction.
They essentially heat the air, which in turn keeps you warm.

The argument with halogen heaters is that they produce more radiation. They heat you (assuming you are in their line of fire) rather than the all the air (and other items) around you. Therefore they may give the impression of making you feel warmer for the same amount of energy. For a similar reason, their warming affect is more instant.
(Think of the effect of the sun on a cold clear winter's day. The air is cold, but you may feel warm due to the sun's rays)
The counter side is as soon as you tun off a halogen heater you will feel cold again (think of the sun suddenly being obscured by a dirty black cloud)

HappyMJ

TG82 wrote: »

Hi, I just wondered whether anyone could enlighten or advise me on something.

I've seen some halogen heaters advertised on the Independent newspaper site, and they're BOGOF. They're supposedly energy efficient and most importantly, hot. Now, The Indy is a very environmentally conscientious paper, so I'm more inclined to believe there's something in it than I would be from other shopping sites.

What does energy efficient mean in the context of heaters?

For example, if I use 1200KW on one of these energy efficient heaters, surely I'd be using the same amount of electricity as if I was using 1200KW on a non-energy efficient? No? What's energy efficient about them?

These heaters have 3 settings - 400KW, 800 or 1200 - but that's like all heaters.

It says they cost 'from' 3p per hour, which I presume refers to 400 setting, so logically that would mean 9p per hour on 1200. That's still very cheap. I worked out my other electric heater costs over 20p per hour on full power. So does a double radiator.

So I suppose what I want is information. Is there a trick in all of this?

I get cold a lot and like heating, but obviously I like to save as much money as possible.

They are energy efficient being very close to 100%. But, they are no more efficient than any other standard electric heeater.

It's the end of winter. Lots of places will be doing sales at the moment and a quick google search reveals that many places are selling these for about £15 each. So if the BOGOF offer is better and you want 2 for some reason then go for it. Me, if I wanted a halogen one I'd just pop down the shop and get one.

Halogen's are good for large cold spaces. Great for the outdoor smoking area at the pub. They direct the heat at you to keep you warmer at less cost than heating the whole space up.