There is a huge amount of misinformation and misnomers flying around in the world of electrical heating, whether by a small electric heater, or a large electric radiator! In this piece, we’ll break down the differences between an electric heater and an electric radiator, as well as what they’re used for and which might be the best choice for your customers, depending on their needs.
Electric Heaters
These heaters, sometimes called “space heaters” are primarily used on a smaller scale, to heat up small spaces in a short amount of time. Also called “convection heaters”, electric heaters do not introduce any “new” air into a space, instead they heat the air that is contained within the space, this is done by heat absorption – typically, objects found within the space absorb and emit the heat produced by the electric heater to give a space the heat it needs. Electric heaters tend to be less energy efficient than their radiating counterparts, but far more portable.
Electric Radiator
As the name suggests, electric radiators heat a space by radiating heat.that is stored within, usually within thermal fluid, or on a ceramic base of some sort. Electric radiators must contain this heat-retaining medium in order to be accurately described as a radiator – without this retention, it cannot be called a radiator. Electric radiators in truth used a combination of convection and radiated heat – making them a great choice for primary heat sources for homes.
Uses of Electric Heaters
The main function of an electric heater is to heat a small space in a short amount of time. That’s why these powerful little blighters tend to be super-fast to heat up, but fail to maintain that heat for a prolonged period of time – differences between models notwithstanding. These tend to be far more portable than their electric radiator counterparts, allowing them to be put in the car and taken to different places where they might be needed. This portability allows maximum flexibility in use, for example, they can be used to heat construction sites, or the family cottage for a weekend away.
Uses of Electric Radiators
Electric radiators tend to be more expensive, bigger, heavier, mostly wall-mounted units that allow for longer emittance of heat over a larger area and therefore being more energy-efficient. They can cost more to install, but definitely save money in the long-run, rather than constantly short-sharp bursts of heat, like that provided by electric heaters. Electric radiators are perfect for heating the largest spaces on an everyday basis.
Which is Best For My Customers?
What type of electric heating system is best for your clients – whether a small space heater, or a larger radiating unit – very much depends on their climate needs. Are they a construction company that needs to heat several rooms in their new build? Or are they a family that’s looking for something to heat their space on a longer-term basis? Recommendations should be made with this key point in mind.
If the customer is looking for something to heat a small space for a short period of time, then perhaps an electric heater would be best, but if they’re looking to put some money into their heating system, then a radiator heater would definitely be their best bet.