Plug-in electric heater advice

melb

hi there the underfloor heating in our 25 sq metre extension just doesn't seem to be providing enough heat (and I'm always too warm usually) so now we are coming into winter I want to buy a plug-in heater of some sort which I can put on for short periods of time before mealtimes or if we have guests round etc.

I don't want a fan heater as they can be noisy and don't think they will be powerful enough.

I want it freestanding so I can move it out in the summer.

I was thinking of something like these. Any thoughts please or suggestions for an alternative

https://ao.com/product/ofc2000ti-dimplex-radiator-white-36972-153.aspx?WT.srch=1&WT.z_MT=independent&WT.z_RTM=PHG&WT.z_CN=1011l12799&WT.z_AG=True+Content&WT.z_AT=&WT.z_KW=independent

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/2kw-convector-heater-at-home-bargains-3325098

would the second one provide enough heat?

thanks for any advice

melb

actually I think this was the Dimplex one I was thinking of https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dimplex-403TSFTIE-3KW-Convector-Heater-with-Turbo-Boost-and-24-Hour-Timer/362723452423?epid=135524268&hash=item547400a607:m:mCnYHNJu78Mja_KH7Edwoyw

as just realised both of the previous two were 2 kw so presumably give out the same amount of heat

Ebe_Scrooge

All electric heaters are the same in terms of efficiency and heat output - a 2Kw fan heater that costs a tenner from Argos will cost the same to run and kick out the same amount of heat as a posh 2Kw oil-filled radiator that costs £100.

The differences are aesthetics and the way they deliver the heat. A fan heater will give pretty much instant heat, and is quite directional in its output. A convector or oil-filled radiator takes a while to warm up, gives a more uniform output, and will continue to give out a bit of heat for a little while after it's turned off.

Infra-red heaters tend to warm the person sitting next to them, rather than the surrounding air, if that makes sense. So it just depends on the type of heat you want. But any heater will cost the same to run as another of equivalent wattage.

3Kw is the maximum (near as dammit) that a standard 13-amp household socket can cope with, which is why you'll not find many (if any ?) that are more powerful than this.

You may consider it worthwhile to pay extra for a timer function - though a cheap mechanical timer plug will do the same job. But ultimately it's your decision as to how much you're prepared to spend for looks and convenience. As I say, the bottom line is they all cost the same to run, all kick out the same amount of heat for an equivalent wattage - probably the deciding factor for most people would be the "type" of heat output, whatever suits the particular circumstances the best.

melb

thanks that's really useful information. We only use the room occasionally - I'm thinking mainly of Christmas Day when we will be having a big family lunch and i want to make sure the room is cosy and warm so people are comfortable and the food doesn't go cold quickly (it happens in our dining room too which has a large double radiator!

I think I'll go for the cheapie then as I don't need a timer and will put it on first thing to get nice and toastie for lunchtime

dunroving

melb wrote: »

thanks that's really useful information. We only use the room occasionally - I'm thinking mainly of Christmas Day when we will be having a big family lunch and i want to make sure the room is cosy and warm so people are comfortable and the food doesn't go cold quickly (it happens in our dining room too which has a large double radiator!

I think I'll go for the cheapie then as I don't need a timer and will put it on first thing to get nice and toastie for lunchtime

I have two of these radiators from Dimplex.

They work fine in my conservatory and home office, respectively, but both of these rooms are considerably smaller than the 25 msq of your room.

As long as the doors to your extension are not left open, one of these might be effective in taking the chill off, but I think it may take an hour or two for it to get the room up to the desired temperature.

(I purchased the oil-free, rather than oil-filled, because they are lighter and so easier to move around or put into storage. I have used a borrowed oil-filled rad in the past, and that was effective too.}