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Electric space heating
This fact sheet provides information on permanently-mounted electric space heaters running on
the peak electricity tariff.
ow do they work?
lectric space heaters contain one or more heating
lements. They produce heat when an electric
urrent is passed through the element. This heat
an either be transferred to the room directly
radiant heat) or air can be passed over the
lement, warmed up, and circulated back into the
oom (convective heat).
adiant heaters include:
bar and strip radiators
imitation log fires
onvective heaters include:
fan heaters
panel convector heaters (these have some
radiant output also)
here should they be used?
lectric space heaters are most appropriate in
ooms requiring heating for short periods of time,
uch as in a bedroom, bathroom, study and
erhaps infrequently used formal living areas. As
hey can be quite expensive to run if left on for long
eriods, they are not recommended as the main
eating source for living areas. Other types of
eaters such as electric reverse cycle air
onditioners or natural gas space heaters, can
roduce the same amount of heat for
pproximately one-third the cost.
hat type of heater should I
hoose?
adiant heaters tend to heat people and objects in
room directly, rather than warming the air. They
re therefore most appropriate in areas which are
ifficult to fill with warm air, such as draughty
ooms or rooms with high ceilings. Radiant heaters
an also be useful if only a localised area in a room
equires heating, e.g. someone working at a desk
r workbench.
onvective heaters are most appropriate in well-
nsulated, draught-free rooms with low ceilings and
closable doors, where they can quickly and
effectively fill a room with warm air.
Panel convectors are slim-line, wall mounted
heaters which provide most of their heat by
convection, with about a third through direct radiant
heat from their front panels. They do not contai