A Rated Portable Heater?

kayeb

Ok, I think they don’t exist, but I’m looking for recommendations for the coming winter.  Unless it is very cold we have our heating & HW on for a couple of hours in the morning & from 4-9 at night during the winter.  My husband works from home and last winter got very cold sat at a desk during the day, whereas I was ok as I’m able to keep active around the house.  We live in a 4 bed detached house & we really don’t want to heat the whole house unless we absolutely have to.  Our boiler works well & we’re loath to replace it until it packs up, but I think it is inefficient as it is the original cast iron, non combi & non condensing from 1998.  It would cost about £4k to replace.  Our idea is to just heat the one room where my husband is sat at his desk during the day.  So we are looking for recommendations please for a plug in electric radiator or something similar that doesn’t use too much electricity. The room is about 10 foot x 8, so not too big.  Thanks in advance.

Spies

Portable AC unit that does heating as well is the only way to get anything efficient 

daveyjp

No such thing as A rated electric heaters, don't believe any advertising which suggests otherwise.  All you need to know is the power rating.

A 1kw heater will use 1 unit per hour, a 3kw heater will use 3 units per hour, but provide three times as much heat.  Oil filled will hold heat, but take longer to heat up.

About as cheap as you can get, but will do the same job as many costing a lot more:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Schallen-Electric-Convector-Radiator-Heater/dp/B00D8WTH7O/ref=sr_1_9

markin

A mini split ac unit is the way to go, A cop of 3 means 3kwh of heat for every 1 kwh input.  Around £1500 installed

If you don't need the AC for cooling it may be best to put the money into a new boiler, Boilers start at around £800- 1k so 2k installed should be possible.

lohr500

The lowest cost option is probably a heated throw type blanket. Direct the heat where it is needed.

We bought an Aldi one last year and it works really well whilst sat at a desk all day.
Other types are available.

They cost about £50 and typically only consume around 150 watts.
If it was used for 8 hours a day at an electricity rate of £0.30 per kwh, it would only use 1.2 kwh which equates to £0.36 a day.

If that doesn't appeal, then I think a 1kw electric heater will be more than enough for a 10x8 room. The one in daveyjp's link would be fine, running on the lowest 800 watt setting. If the thermostat is set low, then it probably will only use 250 watts an hour as it cuts in and out. £0.60 per day.

You could use either a cheap heated throw or convector radiator for thousands of hours before seeing any payback on a £1500 split A/c system, which will still consume electricity to function.

kayeb

Thanks very much for the replies, very helpful.  Just out of curiosity, do portable ACs need venting (out of a window) when used for heating? I’d be worried about losing heat from a partially open windows, although we have been tempted by them during the recent heatwave, but have managed by drawing curtains during the day & opening windows at night to cool down.  A think we’ll probably stick with the little portable convector, I didn’t realise they were as cheap as that to run.  We actually have an old one in the attic, from my late Mum’s house (2kw thermostatically controlled I think).  The heated throw is a very good idea too.  We are very lucky in that we can afford the higher bills, but that’s not the point Is it?  It’s like setting fire to fivers to keep warm 😱!  Thanks again.

markin

What is your annual gas usage?

If the room was well insulated the 150w from a PC would keep the room warm, Without heating what will the temp drop to? below 16c, 12c?

The heater costs will depend on the heat loss.

fenwick458

one of these has to be the most direct solution to the problem

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Washable-Clothing-Charging-Motorbike/dp/B08LW1YQ71/ref=asc_df_B08LW1YQ71/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=481669226857&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9476512163054282614&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9041111&hvtargid=pla-1231231701112&psc=1

markin

If a portable reverses the flow rather than the cheap models that just use a heater element then yes you need the hose in place, The is one forum member that runs a unit outside a room and has the exit hose pumping heat from the rest of the house into that room.

elsien

Can't you just have the central heating on and only leave on the radiator in that one room, turning off the TRVs in the other rooms during the day?

kayeb

Our gas usage as 26000 kWh but by adjusting TRVs & cutting down we got it down to 21500.  The room drops to about 16c when unheated.  We’re quite well insulated & have A rated windows & new doors.  I’m amazed by thd heated gilets!