When cold months are approaching, electric heaters, radiators and fireplaces are essential to always ensure an enjoyable temperature in every room of the house, especially when the central heating system leaves to desire and cannot be adjusted to your liking.The options available to heat your home today are numerous, ranging from classic electric radiators such as convection heaters, oil-filled radiators up to the next-generation devices, including infrared heaters electric fireplaces and bioethanol fireplaces. All these solutions can heat a room effectively in a few minutes, but what are the main differences in terms of operation, performance and consumption? What are the main pros and cons of each electric heating device, and what is it good to pay attention to before buying?
To make your choice easier and find the heater or fireplace that best suits your needs, we have compiled a brief guide to illustrate their main features, also indicating which products, within our different categories of portable heating systems offer the best value for your money. Don't let low temperatures catch you by surprise!
Thanks to our low-consumption electric heaters and fireplaces consumption you can finally forget that annoying feeling of cold in early autumn, late winter and at any other time of the year, enjoying a pleasant, safe and environmentally friendly warmth for you and your family.
Stylish, flexible and fast: the Bornholm Smart convection heater can be mounted on the wall or rolled to where you need it to be cozily warm. With the new Klarstein App, you can also control the heating conveniently when you are not at home.
Turning a convection heater on for a few minutes allows you to effectively heat a room: using their internal heating elements and diffusing the heat according to the convection principle, modern convector radiators emit a flow of warm air that rises upwards and suck in cold air which tends to go down, providing an almost instant warmth sensation.
Convector heaters with a timer and thermostat allow you to easily set and maintain the desired temperature at all times, making for a practical, easy to operate indoor heating solution. Thanks to a modern and elegant design, wall-mounted convector heaters adapt easily and discreetly to pre-existing furniture elements; while portable convector equipped with removable rollers ensure portability, so that you can enjoy maximum versatility and targeted heating in the rooms where you spend more time without having to resort to your the boiler, with a significant reduction in energy consumption.
Whether manually or conveniently via app: you decide how to operate your Wonderwall. It heats effectively with modern infrared heating technology, because 95% of the energy absorbed is converted directly into heat.
Infrared heaters are one of the most advanced solutions and offer a completely new form of heating. After reaching a temperature of around 60 °C, infrared heating panels begin to radiate and transmit heat directly to the bodies and objects in the room, using the same principle as the sun does. The air is not heated directly, thus retaining its humidity and ensuring maximum breathing comfort for people with respiratory problems.
With an infrared heater, you can immediately feel a pleasant sensation of warmth even when you are not in its immediate surroundings. Approximately 90% of the energy consumed by an electric radiant heater converts into heat, ensuring higher efficiency than other electric radiators. Available in white or with exclusive decorations and thanks to their reduced thickness and overall dimensions, infrared wall heaters can be easily installed on the wall behind doors and narrow spaces, serving as an effective, space-saving solution. At first glance, infrared heaters are not even recognisable as a heating device, but nevertheless they provide the desired effect. For your bathroom, you can also opt for a so-called mirror heater, where the infrared heater is integrated directly into the bathroom mirror.
Thanks to its special ribbed shape the Thermaxx 2500 achieves up to 65% more heating power than other devices and is also practically compact. The LED Panel provides a quick overview of temperature and operating mode.
Structurally similar to traditional heat exchangers, oil filled radiators use an electrical resistance to heat a reservoir of thermal fluid inside them.The oil is heated but not consumed, acting as a heat accumulator that doesn’t need replenishing. Oce switched off, oil heaters continue to push out heat in the room, optimising energy consumption especially in the case of prolonged use.
With extremely low costs, both in terms of purchase and operation, an oil filled radiator is a timeless classic for the winter months, when you need to support your main heating system with a practical, reliable space heater.Modern electric oil-filled radiators are extremely easy to use, through an intuitive interface to set the temperature and operating mode. Oil heaters are easily transportable from one room to another thanks to their caster wheels and reduced weight.
The volume - in cubic metres - of the room to be heated is the main value to determine the right output for your electric heater: to calculate it, just multiply the surface area - in square metres - by the ceiling height.
Nevertheless, performance and efficiency in electric radiators are also affected by other factors independent of the size of the room to be heated: among these, the number of windows or glazing in the room, the quality of the window frames and fixtures, sunlight exposure and, in general, the overall insulation conditions of the house. All these aspects are synthesized by the insulation coefficient, a value inversely related with the thermal efficiency of the home, that is, the capacity to retain heat.
Conventionally, the average value of the insulation coefficient is fixed at 0.05, as it can fall to 0.03 for recently built homes that are particularly efficient in terms of insulation, or vice versa, go up to 0.1 for older or even ancient buildings with greater heat loss. It is also advisable to consider the location of the house, concerning the climatic zone. Considering the same size, a room located at 600 meters of altitude in Yorkshire obviously requires a more powerful electric stove than a house located at sea level in Sussex. To obtain an empirical estimate of the kW needed to heat an environment effectively, you will simply multiply the volume of the room by the insulation coefficient.
Let’s take as a reference a room of 20 m² with a ceiling height of 3 m, therefore with a volume of 60 m³. Assuming three different scenarios to determine the kW that a well-sized electric heating solution should offer: scarce thermal insulation: 60 x 0.08 = 4.8 kW normal insulation level: 60 x 0.05 = 3 kW high energy performing building: 60 x 0.03 = 1.8 kW This may sound a bit complicated, and you don't have to calculate it for each room individually if you don't want to. As a rule of thumb, a power output of between 60 and 100 watts per square metre of room area is recommended. It is important, especially in larger rooms, that you use several radiators so that the rooms heat up better. So if you need a heating capacity of 2,000 watts for a room of 20 square metres, you do not have to use a single heater with this capacity. Two electric heaters, each with 1,000 watts of heating power, can also provide the desired effect. This way, you can not only calculate the output, but also estimate your heating costs.
If you want to enjoy the cosy atmosphere and warmth created by the flames burning in a fireplace even when you live in a condominium, where its installation and use would be problematic, to say the least, bioethanol fires and electric fireplaces are two excellent workaround solutions. Their function, in fact, is similar to that of classic wood or gas fireplaces, namely, heating a room adding a touch of class and ambience.
Both appliances can be installed in different ways: wall mounted electric fires can be fixed like a panel, while a recessed electric fireplace can make use of special niches. Alternatively, you can opt for free standing electric fires: ultimately the choice in terms of shape, design and size will only depend on available space and your taste. In case of space constraints, you can also consider table-top bioethanol fires with minimal encumbrance.
Without the need for a flue, and therefore with no need for complex installation work, these two turn-key heating devices differ in terms of the power supply system used to generate the heat: electric log burners use electricity, while biofuel fireplaces use bioethanol, a renewable alcohol resulting from the fermentation process of sugar- or starch-bearing plants biomass.
The integrated heating function can be controlled separately from the realistic flame illusion, so that the fireplace not only creates a cosy atmosphere on cold winter evenings, but also bathes mild summer evenings in warm light without additional heating.
The sensation of being in front of the classic wood-burning fireplace, without having to fight with odours and smoke, and no ashes to collect. All this is possible thanks to next-generation electric fireplaces, designed to satisfy the needs of those who live in flats and look for an electric heater not simply capable of warming a room, but also of creating visual and thermal pleasure like no other.
In an electric fireplace, the artificial flame is generated by LED lights that illuminate reproductions of wood logs or charcoal, ensuring an extremely realistic effect. Electric stove fires can be operated through a remote control, choosing different heat levels and light shades just at the touch of a button. It’s also possible to switch-off the heating function and enjoy flame-only operation for year-round ambiance. Forget stockpiles of logs, venting and chimneys: an electric fireplace is a hassle-free, cost-effective solution and a true eye catcher, to enjoy a cozy atmosphere and endless fireside chats in any of your rooms.
The Phantasma bioethanol fireplace packs real fire romanticism in a modern stainless steel design. The operation is uncomplicated: pour ethanol in, ignite the flame, lean back and relax in the glow of the fire.
Bioethanol fireplaces are trendy and offer a fascinating sight in many rooms. Thanks to the different construction methods and designs, you can easily choose the model that fits perfectly into your room. Bio-fireplaces work according to a simple principle. The fireplace consists of a stainless steel tub, a separate tank and several glass panels to protect the flame. The ethanol burns in a smokeless and yellow flame, which attracts the attention of the observer.
Biofuel fires are divided into different groups: you can buy table-top, freestanding and wall-mount bioethanol fireplaces. Thanks to their simple principle of operation, there's no need for a chimney and maintenance is also quite straightforward. Their beautiful, stylish lighting is particularly effective in the dark season and catches the eye with the natural movement of the flames.
On the other hand, it’s important to consider that ethanol fireplaces are not primary heating elements. They are mainly decorative and cannot be used to heat large rooms. Since the combustion process consumes oxygen, constant ventilation must be ensured when using bioethanol fireplaces.
The Klarstein Bornholm Single Smart convector heating system ensures an even temperature increase and distribution of warm air in rooms up to 40 m² in size on cold winter days.
Have you ever left home forgetting to turn off your electric heater, or without programming it for when you come back? When your plans for the day suddenly change, how do you make sure that you will find a warm and comfortable living room awaiting you? The new scenarios offered by home automation based on IoT devices revolutionised the daily use of household appliances, some of which can now be remotely controlled at any time and place using internet connectivity.
We have embraced the concept of the Internet of Things for our smart electric radiators; by choosing our convection heaters, infrared radiators and electric fireplaces with IoT capabilities, after installing the new Klarstein app you can conveniently manage the main functions with just a few touch on the display of your smartphone, just as if you were right in front of the device. Setting a countdown timer and your weekly schedule, deciding when your device turns on and off and selecting the right temperature and operation mode: all these actions can be easily performed relying on you home wi-fi network, ensuring maximum flexibility and ease of use.
Your Android or IOs smartphone turns into an extension of your electric heater, like a remote control that always travels with you, offering a flexibility and practicality never seen before. With our app controlled heaters and IoT devices, not only can enjoy the maximum comfort, but also significantly reduce wastage, optimise energy consumption and protect the environment.
Cleaning the convector radiator frequently, especially when used in environments such as garages and warehouses, helps to prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt that can cause malfunctions in the device. For the correct procedure it is advisable to read the instruction manual, since each model has a different access system to the fan housing. For the external part it is preferable to use a dry cloth rather than a damp one, and no specific detergents are required.
If the convection heater is IP24 certified, this means that it can resist to water and can therefore be safely positioned and used in the bathroom or other rooms with a high level of humidity. If it is not IP24 certified, it is not recommended to use it in the bathroom, and it can be placed in all other rooms, with a distance of at least 15 cm from the floor and 50 cm from the ceiling, to ensure better heat diffusion. Avoid placing it over another heat source, in rooms with a high concentration of dust or flammable vapours, or directly under a power socket.
Electric heating is not the most convenient solution for the whole flat and is usually not meant for this use. However, if you want to heat your home electrically, we recommend to opt an economical electric heater and, at the same time, to make sure you choose a low electricity tariff. In this way you can get the most out of your electric heater. You can save a significant amount of money using an oil radiator. This is because it is extremely low in electricity consumption and still offers good heating performance.
EEC regulation 3199 of 1993 for the use of decorative fireplaces requires the use of ethanol denatured at 96°; thanks to its high degree of purity, this fuel ensures perfectly odourless combustion. If you perceive an unpleasant smell when you use your bio-fireplace, the reason could be the ethanol does not reach the required degree of purity, and in this case, it is advisable to change your supplier. If the problem continues to occur, check for any impurities that may have deposited on the burner after using poor quality biofuels. In this case, it will be necessary to clean the bio-fireplace thoroughly.
In oil radiators, the fluid circulates in a closed system, and for this reason, it does not consume or need replenishing, unless the structural integrity of the heating elements is compromised. This means that oil radiators only consume the electrical energy needed to heat the oil; to have an idea of the energy requirements of the device, you can refer to the information provided by the manufacturer. Klarstein oil-filled radiators, for example, have a power absorption between 2000 and 2500 Watts.
In an oil-filled heater, the fluid acting as a heat accumulator never comes into direct contact with the electrical resistance, which in turn is always shielded to ensure insulation from the other elements that make up the radiator. This means that an oil radiator is significantly safer than other types of space heaters, whose heating elements or glowing wires are in direct contact with the air.
In the past, bioethanol was harder to find, but now it is more and more widespread and can be found almost everywhere. If you are looking for bioethanol for your bio fireplace, you can consult the manufacturer to find out the nearest sites, try the hardware shops or DIY department shops. In the UK the price of a litre of premium grade bioethanol varies between 4 and 5 pounds, depending on the quantity you purchased and the degree of purity of the product. We recommend using only high-quality fuel for your bioethanol fire, to guarantee perfect combustion and to minimize the risk of bad smells.
Although we often hear that exposure to infrared radiation is dangerous, it has been scientifically proven that C-type infrared radiation is not only harmless to the human body but also has a beneficial effect, improving circulation, immune system activity and tissue oxygenation. Quality infrared heaters are within the legal limits allowed for the production of electrosmog, without causing any harmful exposure to radiation. The only part of the device that produces electrosmog is the power cable, in small quantities, as is the case with all household appliances.
Keeping a convection heater on for a long time without providing ventilation can cause an increase in suspended dust and dryness of the air. If you have traditional heating elements, you can use the old trick of fixing water trays on their front to ensure evaporation and therefore proper humidification of the room or placing a wet cloth on them. On convection heaters, however, it is not possible to cover the upper grid from which the hot air jet comes out unless it is closed and flat. Otherwise, the only solution to avoid dry air and dust problems is to ventilate the room regularly, and possibly use a room humidifier or ioniser.
For safe use, contact between the stove and fabrics, paper or other easily flammable materials should always be avoided. Also, avoid using extension cords, and never run the power cord under a carpet, to avoid fire caused by overheating. Similarly, always try to place the device on a ceramic, wood, laminate or vinyl surface, avoiding carpets and rugs. Do not expose your stove to excessive levels of humidity, unless it is IP24 certified. As the last recommendation, always remember to turn off the device during the night, to avoid overheating, falling or suffering a short circuit, which could cause a fire.
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