Heating
All electric heaters are equally efficient: they consume 1 kWh of electricity to generate up to 1 kWh of thermal energy, but the type of heat distribution in each of them is different.
Before buying an electric heater, it is important to find out for what purpose it will be needed: whether it is quick heating of the room or keeping the heat for a longer time. You will not waste electricity if you choose the right heating device.
To select an electrical heating device of a suitable capacity, it must be kept in mind that the capacity required to heat each square metre of a room with 3 metre high ceilings is approximately 100 W, which means that an electric heater with a capacity of 1000 W or 1 kW is suitable for a room of 10 sq m.
Which heating device is energy efficient and how to choose it?
Underfloor heating
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Underfloor heating is a system that is installed under the floor, i.e., a heating element is installed under the flooring material to radiate heat into the room. Underfloor heating provides even and comfortable heating, making it particularly suitable for homes in cold climates. One of the main advantages of underfloor heating is its energy efficiency compared to traditional heating systems, i.e., radiators. Unlike traditional heating systems, where hot and cold spots can occur, underfloor heating works from the floor up, so the warm air is evenly distributed throughout the room, ensuring a constant temperature, and using less energy. |
Underfloor heating options
- It should be noted that not all flooring is suitable for underfloor heating, so when considering such a heating solution, it is advisable to first consult a competent professional who can help you choose the best solution for the desired room.
- Materials with high thermal conductivity, in particular ceramic tiles and stone flooring materials, are most suitable for underfloor heating systems as they retain and distribute heat well in the room.
- Today, there are many different types of underfloor heating, where the heat transfer medium is water, a special solution, or an electric heating element.
Electric heating mats are a popular choice for upgrading an existing floor, as they can be easily installed under almost any type of flooring material. As heating mats use electricity, they can be combined with solar panels. Compared to other underfloor heating systems, electric heating mats warm up the room faster, but are suitable for smaller rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Traditional underfloor heating is best combined with air-to-water and ground heat pumps. Compared to other heating methods, this heating solution heats rooms evenly and is suitable for all rooms. It is also one of the most popular solutions for modern interior designs.
Capillary heat exchangers use a network of tubes with smaller diameters and spacing compared to traditional systems. The system can be built into ceilings and walls, ensuring the even distribution of heat throughout the room.
- It is not recommended to install underfloor heating in rooms and areas where it will be blocked by obstacles such as kitchen equipment, furniture or stairs, etc. Such obstacles will act as an insulator, preventing the heat from warming the room efficiently.
Effective underfloor heating
- A controllable thermostat can help you save energy and money by allowing you to set different temperatures for different times of the day. It is also possible to adjust the temperature depending on whether someone is at home or not.
- When choosing underfloor heating for a large house with several storeys, consider installing a room zoning controller for the underfloor heating system. This will allow the temperature to be adjusted according to the rooms, rather than heating the whole house to a constant temperature.
- Temperature control is an important prerequisite for the long-term use of underfloor heating. This will allow the optimum temperature to be maintained, as rapid changes in temperature can damage the flooring. The exact recommended temperature should be chosen according to the type of flooring material. To determine the exact temperature range suitable for a particular flooring material, please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Maintenance of underfloor heating
- Dust and dirt can accumulate on the surface of an underfloor heating system and reduce its effectiveness over time, so it is important to clean it regularly using a soft broom or vacuum cleaner.
- To ensure that the underfloor heating lasts longer, it is important to regularly maintain the installed system, as well as to perform preventive checks and follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. If you notice a malfunction in your underfloor heating system, it is important to contact a specialist who will diagnose the problem and provide a solution.
Convection heater
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A convection heater heats up a room relatively quickly with a warm air stream that flows through the openings on the top of the heater, but the air stream generated by it also moves dust in the room. Most convection heaters come equipped with a thermostat, which allows you to adjust the heat intensity and the time of the operation of the device, so that it maintains the set temperature in the room. Models with an additional fan that facilitates the warm air circulation in the room are also available. A convection heater is suitable in cases when there is no primary heating in the home or when it does not ensure the necessary temperature in the rooms. |
Oil-filled radiator
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The principle of an oil-filled radiator is similar to that of a district heating radiator: it is filled with a liquid heat carrier – oil, which, when heated, transfers heat to the metal body of the heater. An oil-filled radiator heats the room more slowly, but it requires more time to cool down after switching off and is therefore suitable as a long-lasting source of heat. The heat output of an oil-filled radiator depends on the size of the surface or the number of sections: a room will be heated faster by a device with a bigger number of sections or fins. Oil-filled radiators with a thermostat and an additional fan are also available. An oil-filled radiator is well suitable for cases where the existing heating system is not able to ensure the required room temperature. |
Infrared heater
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An infrared heater reaches the maximum capacity within seconds, rapidly generating heat in its radiant heat-transfer area. It does not heat the air, but objects, surfaces and bodies in its radiating area, which then give up heat and warm the space. An infrared heater can cause so-called thermal discomfort as rays only heat one part of the room while the other part remains cooler. An infrared heater is suitable for places where there is no need to warm the entire space, but only the part where the person is staying, such as in the garage and on the veranda. |
Inertia heater
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An inertia heater is a storage electric heater equipped with a heat accumulator or storage device: a ceramic plate or special material bricks with a built-in heating element. The price of this type of heater is higher, but it cools down over a longer period of time. An inertia heater is equipped with a thermostat and sometimes with a presence sensor that lowers the room temperature where there is no one in the room and an open window sensor that automatically turns off the device during airing. It should be noted that if you choose this type of heater, the temperature in the room will require a longer time to change if necessary than when using other electric heaters. An inertia heater is suitable for a home where electric heating is the only source of heat. |
Heat pump
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A heat pump is the most energy-efficient form of electric heating because it uses electricity to convert the heat available in the environment into heat for domestic use. This heat can be sourced from both the air and ground. Compared to other types of electric heating, the heat pump is 3 to 5 times more efficient - consuming 1 kWh of electricity, this unit is able to produce up to 5 kWh of heat. Heat pumps are multifunctional devices that can heat not only air but also water. The equipment is also adapted to work in different climatic conditions, as evidenced by its widespread use in the cold Scandinavian regions. Air-to-air heat pumps Air-to-air heat pumps are the cheapest type of heat pump, and their installation is relatively simple. The system consists of an outdoor unit that absorbs heat present in the air and an indoor unit that heats the air in the room. This type of heat pump can also provide a cooling function without additional conversion; however, it should be taken into account that it will not be suitable as a basic type of heating for the whole home, because the unit is not able to provide even heat distribution in all rooms. Air-to-water heat pumps The construction process of air-to-water heat pumps is similar to air-to-air heat pumps, where the outdoor unit of the pump has to be placed outside the building, but unlike an air-to-air heat pump, in this case the unit does not heat the room air, but a liquid heat carrier, which allows the obtained heat to be used, for example, for heating heated floors and hot water. Given that this type of heat pump uses heat from the air, it is recommended to combine this solution with another type of heating, such as a pellet boiler, to ensure more efficient heat production when the outside air temperature does not exceed -15 ° C. Ground source heat pumps Ground source heat pumps are the most efficient type of heat pumps, but they are more complex and expensive to build in comparison to air source heat pumps. The main reason for the increase in costs is the need to build a collector circuit or borehole in the ground, which allows to use the heat stored in the ground. The main advantage of this heat pump is stable operation at various outdoor air temperatures, as the temperature in the ground layers remains constant throughout the year - about +6 ° C - which allows to ensure higher operating efficiency of the unit on an annual basis. To ensure even higher efficiency during the heating season, solar collectors can also be used in addition to storing heat in the ground when there is excess heat available in summer. Benefits of heat pumps:
Enter Elektrumveikals.lv and see the available heat pump models. |
How to use an electric heater efficiently?
Everyone has their own comfort temperature, but sometimes we also switch on electric heaters to warm up. But did you know how to use them correctly and efficiently?
How is it possible to reduce costs?
If it is cool when you come home and you want to warm up the room quickly, first switch the heater on in the maximum heating mode. When the comfort temperature in the room has been reached, adjust the heater to a mode to maintain room temperature. By using adjustment functions of heating devices you will not waste electricity, reducing the consumption by up to 30%.
Maintain room temperature within normal limits – so that you need to put on a sweater rather than wear shorts. The optimal room temperature in the autumn and winter season, when you stay at home, is from +20 to +22°C. At night, you should lower the temperature by 3–4°C.
Recommended temperature in individual rooms is as follows:
- in the kitchen, where heat is generated while you cook, – from +19 to +21°C;
- in the bedroom – from +17 to +18°C;
- in the living room and bathroom – from +20 to +22°C.
You should choose even lower temperature when you leave, reducing it to +16°C. By lowering the temperature by 1°C, you can reduce electricity consumption by 5%.
Remember that in autumn and winter rooms also need to be vented to remove the accumulated carbon dioxide (CO2) and provide fresh air for your body. To vent rooms efficiently, open the window completely until furniture surfaces start to cool off. Moreover, switch off your electric heater not to waste electricity unnecessarily.
The higher the heat loss of the home, the more energy it needs to maintain the heating temperature. To keep heat, it is advisable to seal the windows and doors and insulate the exterior walls, the attic and basement floors.
When purchasing a heating device, it is advisable to choose a heater with temperature control options – a timer that will allow you to set the schedule for the heater operation and a thermostat that will make it possible for you to set and maintain the desired room temperature.
When installing electric heated floors, high quality thermal insulation of the floor is essential in order for the thermal energy to be used efficiently. When installing electric heated floors, it is recommended to use a smart thermostat that allows you to control the room temperature remotely using a smartphone or tablet and automatically adjusts the room temperature so that it is warm when you return home and the energy is used efficiently.
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