Portable Room Heaters - which are good?

amtrakuk

From what I understand about halogen heaters is they produce a radial heat. I read the best description of radial heat off the web. Think of them like the sun on a sunny day, when you're outside in the sun you feel the warmth, this is known as radial heat. When you're in the shade, out of the sun you're feeling convected heat.

Obviously a convector heater produces convected heat where radiators (traditional or oil filled) produce radiant heat. As Cardew says whatever heathing method used use the same amount of energy is used to produce the same amount of heat.

Different heaters produce heat different ways but still use the same amount of energy. If you want rapid general heat, i'd recommend a convection heater. If you want a a more gentle heat then an oil filed radiator.

The two different types of heaters work in different ways, a convector starts producing heat near enough instantly but when you turn it off or the thermostat clicks off it instantly stop producing heat. A radiant heater, ie oil filled radiator, takes time to heat up and produce heat but when the thermostat clicks off or you turn it off it takes time to cool down.

Some prefer oil filed radiators as it gives a "cozy" feel. Some, me included like instant heat which is why I use a convector heater. Either way it is a good idea to have a thermostat to have control over the room temperature.

Halogen heaters have the "cozy" feel of a radiator and the speed of a convector heater. The only downside are halogen heaters are they are very directional just like a desk fan.

You will only feel the benefit when you are in front of the fan, when your no longer in front of the fan you stop feeling the breeze. Halogen heaters work in the same way. They could be classed as personal heat, they are not designed to heat a room, just the person in front.