Electric panel heaters??

susieq10

HappyMJ and Be Happy your input is greatfully recieved. I have done quite an extensive search on the net as well as talked to friends etc, and there are many different types of heaters. They are all shapes and sizes with a number of varying specs....which makes it so confusing sometimes!
I agree with the point you made about the Halogen heaters, but as I have found out, it doesnt really matter what type of heater you have as long as you have control over the output (kwh).
On this note, I have decided to go for a 1.5kw Dimplex oil-free radiator. It has a thermastat, so I can control the heat output, and 2 heat settings (1kw &1.5kw respectively), 1kw should be fine and will keep my costs down. This also gives me the flexibility of either wiring it into the E7 system or use only when required (fused spurr)....I think I will do the latter as this will be the cheaper option. I can also get one with a timer on it, but if Im only using when I need it, this would be extra money wasted! (I don't have a set routine for when I shower etc, as I work irregular shifts....timer would be wasted!).
A big Thank you to all who have replied, much appreciated!:T
:beer:

HappyMJ

susieq10 wrote: »

HappyMJ and Be Happy your input is greatfully recieved. I have done quite an extensive search on the net as well as talked to friends etc, and there are many different types of heaters. They are all shapes and sizes with a number of varying specs....which makes it so confusing sometimes!
I agree with the point you made about the Halogen heaters, but as I have found out, it doesnt really matter what type of heater you have as long as you have control over the output (kwh).
On this note, I have decided to go for a 1.5kw Dimplex oil-free radiator. It has a thermastat, so I can control the heat output, and 2 heat settings (1kw &1.5kw respectively), 1kw should be fine and will keep my costs down. This also gives me the flexibility of either wiring it into the E7 system or use only when required (fused spurr)....I think I will do the latter as this will be the cheaper option. I can also get one with a timer on it, but if Im only using when I need it, this would be extra money wasted! (I don't have a set routine for when I shower etc, as I work irregular shifts....timer would be wasted!).
A big Thank you to all who have replied, much appreciated!:T
:beer:

I wouldn't get a Dimplex.....too expensive....just any plain convector heater will do. They cost as little as £20. Running costs don't matter as much when the heating is only on for 15 minutes so I would get the 2kw or 3kw version. If you get the 3kw version you don't need to pre heat the room or use a timer. It'll be warm within a few minutes.

susieq10

HappyMJ wrote: »

I wouldn't get a Dimplex.....too expensive....just any plain convector heater will do. They cost as little as £20. Running costs don't matter as much when the heating is only on for 15 minutes so I would get the 2kw or 3kw version. If you get the 3kw version you don't need to pre heat the room or use a timer. It'll be warm within a few minutes.

Hi!
Well, I've managed to test 2 radiators which I borrowed from friends.

1. Delongi Oil-filled radiator, 1,2, or 3 kw settings, thermastat.
PROs- This heated the room up plenty on 1kw setting with the thermastat on very low.
CONs- Took a good 15-20 mins to heat up. Quite bulky for a small space. Also very heavy to move about.

2. Dimplex oil-free radiator, 1 or 2 kw settings, thermastat.
PROs- Used on 1 kw with thermastat halfway. Heats room up almost immediately. Not too bulky and is light in weight, so easy to manouvre.
CONs- Haven't found any yet!

Both these radiators used around 87-89watts per hour, (less than 1kwh), on the above settings.
I now own the Dimplex model as this fitted into the room better, is lighter to move and also heated up quicker.

It's been wonderful to actually relax when I take a shower or a bath now, before it was so cold, I just wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. The towels also are warmer!:j:rotfl:
I was starting to get mould/mildew growing because it was so damp with the cold. I've cleaned it all up and treated it, so hopefully it shouldn't come back now the room is being dried out.....I have noticed the difference.....less steam!!!:)

Okay, so I hope this info might help others in similar situations and again, a big THANK YOU to all of you who replied! :T:beer:

macman

susieq10 wrote: »

Hi!
Well, I've managed to test 2 radiators which I borrowed from friends.

1. Delongi Oil-filled radiator, 1,2, or 3 kw settings, thermastat.
PROs- This heated the room up plenty on 1kw setting with the thermastat on very low.
CONs- Took a good 15-20 mins to heat up. Quite bulky for a small space. Also very heavy to move about.

2. Dimplex oil-free radiator, 1 or 2 kw settings, thermastat.
PROs- Used on 1 kw with thermastat halfway. Heats room up almost immediately. Not too bulky and is light in weight, so easy to manouvre.
CONs- Haven't found any yet!

Both these radiators used around 87-89watts per hour, (less than 1kwh), on the above settings.
I now own the Dimplex model as this fitted into the room better, is lighter to move and also heated up quicker.

It's been wonderful to actually relax when I take a shower or a bath now, before it was so cold, I just wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. The towels also are warmer!:j:rotfl:
I was starting to get mould/mildew growing because it was so damp with the cold. I've cleaned it all up and treated it, so hopefully it shouldn't come back now the room is being dried out.....I have noticed the difference.....less steam!!!:)

Okay, so I hope this info might help others in similar situations and again, a big THANK YOU to all of you who replied! :T:beer:

I don't think so-that would be less power than a 100W light bub! A 1kW heater uses 1kWh, every hour-not 87-89W.

Be_Happy

Glad that you have solved your heating problem.

However, I'm rather concerned at the idea of you moving the heater around. How is it plugged in? Don't you have to connect it to a closed socket.

I always understood that portable electric appliances were not allowed in bathrooms and that there are legal limits on how close to water an electric appliance can be fitted - hence the sealed towel rails and fan heaters high on walls.

Even the Dimplex bathroom storage heater has no operating controls on it to avoid being touched by a person with wet hands.

Cardew

I would also emphasise the points made above about safety.

Borrowing units to test and commenting on portability etc indicates that these are 'standard' heaters and/or plugged in to a 13 amp socket. Frankly some of the 'Health & Safety' electrical regulations in the home are a little 'over the top' - but not the ones concerning bathrooms. It is a potentially lethal hazard.

susieq10

macman wrote: »

I don't think so-that would be less power than a 100W light bub! A 1kW heater uses 1kWh, every hour-not 87-89W.

Well Im going by what it said on the energy monitor that I plugged it into!!! And even if it uses the 1kwh, that is what I would expect it to use on that setting. I was just testing to make sure that they didn't use more, (? if there was a fault????).

susieq10

Be_Happy wrote: »

Glad that you have solved your heating problem.

However, I'm rather concerned at the idea of you moving the heater around. How is it plugged in? Don't you have to connect it to a closed socket.

I always understood that portable electric appliances were not allowed in bathrooms and that there are legal limits on how close to water an electric appliance can be fitted - hence the sealed towel rails and fan heaters high on walls.

Even the Dimplex bathroom storage heater has no operating controls on it to avoid being touched by a person with wet hands.

Im not moving it around, I was summarising in general!
It is wired into a closed socket/spur which has its own fuse. The same one the wall heater was connected to!
Iam sensible enough not to touch any electrical appliance controls with wet hands! The heater is away from any water splashes.

macman

susieq10 wrote: »

Well Im going by what it said on the energy monitor that I plugged it into!!! And even if it uses the 1kwh, that is what I would expect it to use on that setting. I was just testing to make sure that they didn't use more, (? if there was a fault????).

Cheap energy monitors are not accurate-use the existing meter if you want accurate measurements.

Yorkie1

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