electric heaters

[Matt@]

I'm a complete numpty when it comes to electrics and need some info on Fan heaters...

I can go buy a cheapo 3KW fan heater from Argos for £15 or whatever or I can buy a 3KW fan heater in a big cabinet from machine mart for £100 odd.

So the KW is the same - is the heat output the same?

what are you paying for with the big cabinet one? a bigger fan and a stronger casing?!

thanks

 

[Harbo]

The heat output is the same though one would expect the expensive one to be better made, better quality parts and possibly quieter?

Rod

 

[PAC1]

I bought a cheapo once it burnt out in 6 hours I took it back and bought an oil filled radiator

 

[bogmonster]

Is this for a workshop?

Fan heaters let dust and shavings in. Sounds like a fire waiting to happen.

I went for a cheap oil filled radiator with cartridge heater as I thought it might be safer.

Also putting it on a switch that only powers it for say 30mons is a good idea. Means less chance of leaving it on and burning down your shop or burning your wallet. They make these for immersion heaters.

BM.

 

[marcros]

how big an oil filled rad are people using for a workshop- single garage size?

 

[bogmonster]

Here is the name of a plug in switch:

Timeguard TGBT6 Electronic 2 Hour Plug In Boost Timer

I use a small 2.5kw heater but usually in my small turning partitioned area. Many factors including insulation. My work area has a big metal canopy door....not good. ....

However it is enough to easily take the chill off on all but the coldest of days. Will insulate the door this winter.

BM

 

[Matt@]

Is this for a workshop?

Fan heaters let dust and shavings in. Sounds like a fire waiting to happen.

I went for a cheap oil filled radiator with cartridge heater as I thought it might be safer.

Also putting it on a switch that only powers it for say 30mons is a good idea. Means less chance of leaving it on and burning down your shop or burning your wallet. They make these for immersion heaters.

BM.

yes for a workshop enviroment but its too big for anything apart from space heaters. I've got a couple of portable catalytic gas heaters that heat up some area for personal comfort ie they take the chill out of the air but insurance company dont like them which is understandable. I've used oil filled and they are ok for some background heat in a well sealed area single garage size with little heat loss but a drop in the ocean for what I need now. Every year its a hassle and really must be only 15 days a year that its too cold to work with no heat !

I may have a look at the robust 3kw cabinet ones - at least presumably they run for extended periods and don't melt or go bang...

 

[MMUK]

Single garage size? A 1.5Kw oil filled rad should be sufficient providing your doors aren't blowing a gale through them

 

[misterfish]

I use a cheap Argos convector heater in my workshop. The one I have includes a built in timer and has a thermostat. It works well but the walls, roof and floor are all insulated. On the coldest of days it takes over half an hour to get comfortable but on an average winter day it doesn't take too long. Mind you I am on the south coast so the weather is relatively mild.

Misterfish

 

[Waka]

I use 4 120w tube heaters, because the shop is well insulated I don't need them on all that often. I did note last winter that these 4 heaters made a 6 degree difference in temp, doesn't sound a lot but it's enough to make it comfortable.

 

[Matt@]

another thing worth pointing out is theres a big difference between dry cold and damp cold temperatures. Using a dehumidifer can make it seem less cold even though there is no heat.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Matt@ - just a thought - it's an idea when posting questions of this sort to give some idea of your whereabouts. No one needs know precisely, but we don't know how cold it is in your workshop in Morocco or Archangel or wherever.