Improving The Efficiency of Ceramic Heaters
It's a proven fact that ceramic heaters are 100% efficient in converting electricity to heat, but there are some useful ideas that can help to diminish the demand of electric power and at the same time maintain a desirable temperature inside the house, thus improving the efficiency of any given electric heater.
For example, 1500 watts of electricity are generated into 1500 watts of heat, this is true for any electric heater, whether conventional metal coil, oil, infrared, quark, or other kinds of heaters.
The only "loss" of electricity happens when the ceramic heater comes with other gadgets that use electricity, such as an oscillating option or fans that push air from the device, but these use a small percentage of the electricity that flows through the heater.
One of the problems that experts mention explaining why any electric heater can't be efficient is the manner that electricity is generated.
Usually electricity is generated from the combustion of fossil materials, such as carbon, natural gas or crude oil, generating only about 35-40% efficiency, losing the rest of the energy in the form of heat.
This is a true and calculated fact, however it doesn't refer to the function of ceramic heaters but to how electricity is created, thus not contradicting the previous statement, and in the end it's not in the individual's control, who is searching for a secure, fast and economic source of heat.
If ceramic heaters are already efficient how can their efficiency be improved? We have to realize that the end consumer is really looking for a way to economize electricity and therefore lessen his bills at the same time of satisfying his or her needs.
On the other hand is the expert/technician who actually is searching for devices that generate more heat with lesser electric consumption or other source of energy.
From this point of view the efficiency of an electric heater will depend on other factors of the heater and external factors.
The first thing to evaluate is the capacity of heat transference of the ceramic heater.
Most of these heaters (depending on the size) use a large area of ceramic material, heating the circulating air faster and reaching the desired temperature in less time.
From this point de device decreases its electric requirement in order to maintain the indicated temperature, with the consequent less consumption.
Not all ceramic heaters have an integrated thermostat, buying one with this add-on is a good idea for an improved regulation of the environment.
Another related advantage is that the heater will produce its heat in a fast way, a feature desirable in any occasion, and due to the intrinsic properties of ceramic material it won't overheat, making it a safer heater than conventional heaters.
In this same manner the heater will cool down in a fast way when turning it off.
Another important measure is house insulation to prevent heat leaks y help the heater to consume less electricity in order to maintain the desired temperature.
Insulation is needed in windows, doors, walls, ceiling, attic and basement.
It can be done with any material, but preferably it should be material that doesn't decay with humidity and lapse of time.
Among the most used materials are cotton batts, loose-fill fiberglass, extruded polystyrene (XPS), cellulose, fiberglass batts, high-density polyurethane spray foam, mineral wool, low-density polyurethane spray foam and foil-faced polyisocyanurate.
The most recommended is fiberglass batts, which is inexpensive and quick to install and polyurethane spray foam, as the best insulation technology.
These insulation materials can be used with vapor blockers, such as sheets of plastic or kraft paper, these will help so the insulation materials keep dry and function properly.
This heat barrier is recommended to be placed on the inside in warm climate and on the outside in humid climate.
Another action is adopting the use of a heat blocker, these are barriers that reflect the external radiation and reflect sunshine and block its effect on the inside of the house.
They are usually made from aluminum sheets, placed over a flat surface and positioned in front of the windows.
Something important is to check the heating ducts of the house, these will lose heat in non insulated spaces within the house and it's worthwhile to insulate them in these spaces.
At the same time check for the existence of leaks and repair them with embedded fiberglass mesh.
Another possible source of heat loss are water pipes, these can be protected with foam or some other insulating material.
Some less technical means of energy savings is accommodating to a less than ideal temperature, lowering the thermostat some degrees can help you achieve this, only enough so a light sweater is enough to keep you warm inside the house.
Also using a heater for only necessary rooms instead of the whole house can save you much electric consumption.
Ceramic heaters are always a good idea as a primary or secondary source of heat, but the above mentioned ideas can improve their efficiency and energy savings.
For example, 1500 watts of electricity are generated into 1500 watts of heat, this is true for any electric heater, whether conventional metal coil, oil, infrared, quark, or other kinds of heaters.
The only "loss" of electricity happens when the ceramic heater comes with other gadgets that use electricity, such as an oscillating option or fans that push air from the device, but these use a small percentage of the electricity that flows through the heater.
One of the problems that experts mention explaining why any electric heater can't be efficient is the manner that electricity is generated.
Usually electricity is generated from the combustion of fossil materials, such as carbon, natural gas or crude oil, generating only about 35-40% efficiency, losing the rest of the energy in the form of heat.
This is a true and calculated fact, however it doesn't refer to the function of ceramic heaters but to how electricity is created, thus not contradicting the previous statement, and in the end it's not in the individual's control, who is searching for a secure, fast and economic source of heat.
If ceramic heaters are already efficient how can their efficiency be improved? We have to realize that the end consumer is really looking for a way to economize electricity and therefore lessen his bills at the same time of satisfying his or her needs.
On the other hand is the expert/technician who actually is searching for devices that generate more heat with lesser electric consumption or other source of energy.
From this point of view the efficiency of an electric heater will depend on other factors of the heater and external factors.
The first thing to evaluate is the capacity of heat transference of the ceramic heater.
Most of these heaters (depending on the size) use a large area of ceramic material, heating the circulating air faster and reaching the desired temperature in less time.
From this point de device decreases its electric requirement in order to maintain the indicated temperature, with the consequent less consumption.
Not all ceramic heaters have an integrated thermostat, buying one with this add-on is a good idea for an improved regulation of the environment.
Another related advantage is that the heater will produce its heat in a fast way, a feature desirable in any occasion, and due to the intrinsic properties of ceramic material it won't overheat, making it a safer heater than conventional heaters.
In this same manner the heater will cool down in a fast way when turning it off.
Another important measure is house insulation to prevent heat leaks y help the heater to consume less electricity in order to maintain the desired temperature.
Insulation is needed in windows, doors, walls, ceiling, attic and basement.
It can be done with any material, but preferably it should be material that doesn't decay with humidity and lapse of time.
Among the most used materials are cotton batts, loose-fill fiberglass, extruded polystyrene (XPS), cellulose, fiberglass batts, high-density polyurethane spray foam, mineral wool, low-density polyurethane spray foam and foil-faced polyisocyanurate.
The most recommended is fiberglass batts, which is inexpensive and quick to install and polyurethane spray foam, as the best insulation technology.
These insulation materials can be used with vapor blockers, such as sheets of plastic or kraft paper, these will help so the insulation materials keep dry and function properly.
This heat barrier is recommended to be placed on the inside in warm climate and on the outside in humid climate.
Another action is adopting the use of a heat blocker, these are barriers that reflect the external radiation and reflect sunshine and block its effect on the inside of the house.
They are usually made from aluminum sheets, placed over a flat surface and positioned in front of the windows.
Something important is to check the heating ducts of the house, these will lose heat in non insulated spaces within the house and it's worthwhile to insulate them in these spaces.
At the same time check for the existence of leaks and repair them with embedded fiberglass mesh.
Another possible source of heat loss are water pipes, these can be protected with foam or some other insulating material.
Some less technical means of energy savings is accommodating to a less than ideal temperature, lowering the thermostat some degrees can help you achieve this, only enough so a light sweater is enough to keep you warm inside the house.
Also using a heater for only necessary rooms instead of the whole house can save you much electric consumption.
Ceramic heaters are always a good idea as a primary or secondary source of heat, but the above mentioned ideas can improve their efficiency and energy savings.
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