There is nothing like snuggling up in a warm cozy room. Some rooms, however, easily turn cold and damp, particularly when the cool months bring in drafts of cold air. At these moments, an electric portable heater can be your most cherished household appliance. Even though you may have central heating, electric portable heaters are essential household items because they provide good supplementary heating.

If you are considering adding an electric portable heater to your household appliances, you should know what you are looking for. Two of the most popular types of electric portable heaters are convector heaters and oil-filled radiators. What are the differences between these two types of heaters? And which of these should you choose for your heating needs?

When choosing a heater for a room, it’s good to consider some of your needs:

• The size of the room or area you want to heat. Some heaters work better for small spaces, while others work better for large spaces.
• How long you want to heat the room – continuously, for short periods, or in quick blasts?
• The cost of the heater and your budget.
• The level of noise the heater produces, the quieter the better.
• The style and appearance of the heater.

Once you are clear about your heating needs, it may be easier to determine what type of heater would work best for you. Remember that room heater appliances are usually best used as a supplementary heater rather than the main source of heat. The main source of heating should be central heating system. For rooms and spaces that need additional heating, portable room heaters such as convector heaters and oil-filled radiators will help warm you up.

Now, let’s take a closer look at Convector Heaters and Oil Filled Heaters and how they work.

Convection Heaters

Convector heaters have an internal element, which heats up when the heater is turned on. The element heats up the air around it, and the hot air rises and gradually spreads out evenly around the room. Convector heater elements are often coil elements, but some newer models feature resin-treated aluminum elements, which prevent dry air and the discoloring of walls, which convection heaters have a tendency to do.

Pros

• Convector heaters are good at heating up an entire room over a short or extended period of time.
• They work fast. Because of the blowing air they can warm up a room faster than some oil-filled heaters. This makes them a good choice for situations where you need to warm up a room quickly.
• Convector heaters distribute heat more evenly than oil-filled heaters.
• They are usually lighter and therefore more portable than oil-filled radiators.
• Convector heaters are extremely convenient and easy to use.

• Cons

• Convector heaters heat up quickly but they also cool down quickly.
• Because they often use fans to force out and distribute the heat these heaters can overheat if the fan fails.
• Allergens can build up and spread through the fan.
• Convector heaters produce hot air that needs to circulates to heat up a room, they sometimes need the help of a ceiling fan to make sure the hot air does not rise and gather at the top of the room.
• They are not as energy efficient as oil-filled radiators. They use considerable amount of energy, and so are better choices for short periods of time rather than longer periods.

Best used for: Quick on-demand heating for short periods of time, or if you are moving around from place to place. If your interested in getting a convector heater read our buyers guide.

Oil-filled Radiators

Oil-filled radiators produce heat through the use of an electrical element fully immersed in oil. Contrary to common misconception, the oil of these heaters is not used as fuel, but rather as a reservoir and buffer. The oil is usually thermal oil, and does not need to be replaced. Heating takes places through a process of convection and conduction, by which heat is transferred from the electrical element to the liquid, and then from the liquid to the radiator body and metal walls through conduction. When the metal walls are heated up they distribute the heat to the air of the room.

Pros

• One of the advantages of oil-filled radiators is their energy efficiency. They stay warm for a long time, even after they have been turned off. This will result in power saving in the long run.
• They are also often cited as the most cost effective room heater, since there is no need to replace the oil.
• Oil-filled radiators are also the best option for newborn babies and children. They are child safe and will not burn upon touch. At the same time, they do not dry the air and thus promote healthy indoor air.
• Oil-filled radiators are also very quiet. Because the oil-filled heater is a standalone and self-adjusting there is no need to distribute the heat into the room via an external fan, which can be noisy.
• These heaters are also increasingly portable and compact.

Cons

• One of main disadvantages of oil-filled radiators is that they take a long time to warm up. However, because the oil element retains heat, oil-filled heaters stay heated for a long time, even after they are switched off.
• Oil-filled radiators can also be costly, although in the long run they will save money due to their energy efficiency.
• Because they contain oil, oil-filled radiators are usually heavier and less conveniently portable than convector heaters.

Best used for: Oil-filled radiators are best for extended periods of time and larger spaces, due to their energy-efficiency and lost-lasting heat. If your interested in getting a oil filled heaters for your room then read our buyers guide.

With a little research you can determine the best type of heater for you. You should be clear about whether your home has good insulation or not. You should also know the size of the room you need heated. It is important to know whether children will be near the heater regularly, whether you want the heater to warm up the entire room or just a small section of it, and your budget. With this brief guide, you should be in good position to choose the best heater for your household needs.