Buying guide
Portable Heaters
Things to consider when buying a portable heater
Portable heaters are great for keeping the chill off a room in the warmer seasons when it's not quite cold enough to put on your heating, or are ideal to use in a pinch if your heating starts playing up in the depths of winter. But considering what type of heater to purchase can quickly become overwhelming. This handy guide will help eliminate the jargon and help you decide what heater is best for you and your family.
Where are you going to use it?
Where you are planning on using your portable heater will determine which type to purchase. For example, if you intend to use it in a garage or workshop, you will require a more robust product that has a dust filters like those incorporated in the RUG3TS. But for small bedrooms, a compact heater like the Eco Chico is ideal. If you’re after a heater for general use in living areas, you have a wide choice of all around heaters: fan and ceramic, convectors and radiators.
What type of heat do you want?
There are three main types of heat produced from portable heaters: fanned, radiant and convected.
Fan heaters draw air over a heating element quickly by using a fan to then propel the warmed air out. Radiant heaters create rays of energy that convert to heat once it hits and is absorbed by the body or object, similar to the warmth you feel from the sun, whereas convector heaters heat up the air around you and push it out into the room. The optimum heat type for human comfort is actually a blend of 80% convected and 20% radiant heat, so look for a heater that features a mixture of both technologies like our oil-free eco portable radiators.
What is EN 15316?
EN 15316 offers guidelines that set out a common calculation method to estimate the energy use and energy performance of heating systems in buildings. The values are calculated for the whole installation and help to analyse the impact on energy performance. The values also help to establish energy performance indicators such as the Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF).
What is EN 14825?
EN 14825 sets out the temperatures, part-load conditions, and calculation methods for determining the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). It applies to the operation of air-conditioning units, process chillers, and particular types of hybrid heat pumps. The values used to define the SCOP can be calculated or measured. If measured values are applied, the standard covers the applicable test methods.
What is EN 14511?
EN 14511 sets out standardised performance and rating terms for air-conditioning units, heat pumps and liquid chilling packages that supply space heating or cooling. EN 14511 is used for a determination of the Coefficient of Performance (COP) that gauges the performance of a heat pump.