There are numerous types of heaters that you can buy to warm up your home! We’re going to show you these below. Once you’ve chosen the perfect heater for you, head over to logsnearme to get your kiln dried logs!
We’re going to show you the different types of portable heaters and flue fires that you can purchase as well as some things to consider before you go out and buy one.
Portable heaters & Fan portable heaters
These are ideal if you have a small room to heat up. They work by using an electric coil to create heat which is then circulated around the room with a fan. Fan portable heaters are one of the most economical ways to warm up a small space but the heat won’t last too long if a draught comes in.
Oil filled portable heaters
Another fairly inexpensive way to heat up a small room, oil filled heaters use oil with an electrical current to generate heat. The downside is that they can take a while to warm up – 20 to 30 minutes in a lot of cases – however the oil doesn’t need to be replaced which is a bonus.
Convector portable heaters
These portable heaters are ideal for distributing heat more evenly throughout a room. They work by using convection currents to heat up air and circulate it around. While they can take a while to warm up they do a better job than fan heaters.
Halogen portable heaters
You’ve probably seen these about many times. Halogen portable heaters use halogen bulbs or lamps to provide heat. They have their drawbacks and aren’t particularly great for large spaces as the heat is generally pinpointed in one area, but they are cheap to run!
Flue fires
Radiant wood stoves
Also known as ‘potbellied stoves’, radiant wood stoves are usually made from cast iron (but sometimes steel or soapstone) and are the most popular type of flue fire. They radiate heat from the materials burned inside and also offer high levels of efficiency.
Circulating stoves
These are similar in appearance to radiant wood stoves but there is a difference – they have a double wall. The inner wall is made from cast iron with a firebrick lining while the outer wall is crafted from steel. Circulating stoves use the heat that accumulates in the inner pocket of the stove and circulates this out into the room better than a radiant stove.
What to consider when choosing one for your home
All of these heat sources will warm up a room but there are a few things you should think about before making a purchase.
Cost
Some of these portable heaters and stove options for a flue are cheaper than others.
Having a wood burning stove installed can be pretty costly (up to £1000) but this depends on the work involved so it could be lower or higher. The portable heating options will be much cheaper to buy and the running costs are generally quite low as well.
Space you need to heat up
A big thing you need to consider is the space you need to heat.
For small rooms portable heaters can be ideal however for larger spaces or to create a nicer atmosphere either a radiant wood stove or a circulating stove is better. In fact, the circulating stoves will distribute heat around a larger room more efficiently.
The environment
Wood burning stoves don’t pollute the environment like you might think because if you use clean fuels they are actually very environmentally friendly.
Portable heaters are similar because they normally work off electricity and even though the oil filled heaters do use oil, they don’t need to be replenished and are very energy efficient.
Really there shouldn’t be a big environmental impact between a portable heater and a wood burning stove although some will use more energy than others to heat up your home.