| Electric space heaters come in two types: radiant and | | | | their inefficiency in poorly-insulated or draughty |
| convection and when choosing one to heat your | | | | spaces. An added advantage of the flat-panelled, |
| home, it is worth doing a little homework before you | | | | ceramic version is that, in rooms where space is |
| hit the electrical stores. Radiant heaters use metal | | | | especially limited, they can be wall-mounted, leaving |
| elements with reflectors to direct heat to a specific | | | | valuable floor space free and uncluttered. |
| part of the room or office. More modern ones may | | | | Price is always an important factor when considering |
| use glowing quartz, rather than elements. They can | | | | any household purchase, so it is well worth shopping |
| also be oil-filled, often resembling old-fashioned | | | | around and reading reviews before reaching for your |
| radiators. The oil heats within the appliance, but does | | | | credit card to pay for your new electric heater. A |
| not burn. There are two main advantages to this | | | | 1500W portable ceramic heater, which is more than |
| type of heater, firstly they work silently and | | | | adequate as a supplementary heater for an |
| secondly they are ideal for rooms or offices with a | | | | average-sized family room, starts at around $40.00, if |
| single occupant who does not move around the | | | | you want a model that is stylish and made by a |
| room - for example someone working at a desk or | | | | reputable brand, such as Lasko. The oil-filled heaters |
| an elderly chair-bound person, who might find the | | | | tend to be a little more expensive and the top-selling |
| noise of a convection device obtrusive. These types | | | | Mica panelled radiator from DeLonghi, which is safe to |
| of heaters tend to warm nearby objects, rather than | | | | use indoors and out and has the added advantage of |
| the surrounding air, so when you move away from | | | | being wall-mountable, can be yours for a fraction |
| the appliance, you will immediately feel the cold. | | | | under $60.00. Prices, of course, can go up into the |
| The convection versions use metal coils or ceramic | | | | hundreds if you are looking for heating that is less |
| plates and often include fans to circulate heat evenly | | | | portable and more like a permanent furniture fixture, |
| around the room. Many are dual-functional in that the | | | | such as Lifesmart's quartz heater in its elegant walnut |
| heating element may be switched off in warmer | | | | surround or the Dimplex Olssen electric fireplace |
| weather and the device used just as a fan. Devices | | | | heater in a choice of wood-finishes, which both |
| with fans work more quickly than those without and | | | | simulate the cosiness of real fires and cost around |
| heat the whole room evenly and efficiently. Their | | | | $300.00 each. |
| disadvantages are the noise they also generate and | | | | |