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Electric Room Heaters
The simplest way to heat a single room is
by using an electric heater. They are the
easiest type of heater to install because
they can be mounted to the wall and do not
require any venting to the outside. Electricity
is a reliable and clean source of energy,
and electric heaters require very little
maintenance. However, even though these heaters
are often the least expensive to buy, they
can be the most costly to operate, and even
the largest models produce only about 24,000
BTUs of heat, far less than other types of
heaters.
If you are thinking about installing
an electric
room heater, consider the following:
- One type of electric heater uses a fan to
force air over electric resistance coils
and into the room. Other popular types heat
by radiation or by creating a natural convective
current. Electric baseboard styles will need
clear space at the foot of the wall. All
these electric heaters are available in sizes
from 500 to 8000 watts.
- Electric infrared heaters are also available.
Small models (1000 watts) can
provide spot
heating, but it takes several
of these units
to heat an entire room.
- Electric heat pumps are another option. These
are installed in the wall of the room just
like an air conditioner. They extract heat
from the outside air and transfer it indoors.
They can produce 7000 to 15000 BTUs. Heat
pumps work best in moderate climates where
it does not get bitterly cold, but their
performance can be enhanced if they are manufactured
with auxiliary electric coils which operate
in colder weather. Heat pumps can also cool
the air on hotter days.
Smaller size electric heaters
can run on
120 volts,
but larger models require 240 volts, which
may not be available in all rooms of a house
(240 volt circuits are usually run only to
kitchens and laundry rooms to supply high
wattage appliances such as electric stoves
and washing machines). Because of their high
current demands, these heaters will need
a dedicated circuit. |
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