| A good portable heater is the perfect way of | | | | absorbed by any surrounding objects, including |
| providing some extra heating power that you can | | | | furniture, floors, and people. As these objects |
| produce when and where you need it. Even if | | | | heat up, they release heat into the air around |
| your home has central heating, it's probably that | | | | them, thus heating the entire room. |
| you have a draughty hallway or a little-used room | | | | These heaters are particularly efficient because, |
| that doesn't get enough heat in the winter time. | | | | like many modern heaters, they do not use fans |
| Portable heaters provide you with instant heat | | | | or blowers to move air around or distribute heat. |
| whenever and wherever you need it, making | | | | They're quiet, too, so they can be used in a child's |
| them the ideal solution for those cold spots that | | | | bedroom or other quiet space without causing |
| Fan and Convection Heaters | | | | any noisy disturbances. Another advantage of |
| Fan heaters work by first drawing in cold air from | | | | radiant heaters is that they do a great job of |
| the surroundings, then passing that air over a | | | | warming temperatures at floor level: if you like |
| heated element within the heater unit. The heated | | | | having toasty warm toes, this is the heater for |
| air that is produced is then passed out of the | | | | you. |
| heater into the room. | | | | Catalytic Gas Heaters |
| These are inexpensive to buy, but are definitely | | | | These are smaller in size than most other gas |
| not inexpensive to run: fan heaters are notoriously | | | | heaters, but still capable of producing a good |
| inefficient. While they can provide fast heat, they | | | | amount of heat. Their small size makes them |
| are also noisy and aren't considered as | | | | convenient to move around, and the environment |
| environmentally friendly as other heaters due to | | | | benefits, too-these have a significantly reduced |
| their inefficiency. | | | | carbon monoxide emission due to their smaller |
| Convection heaters are similar in the way they | | | | size. |
| heat air, but are somewhat more efficient and | | | | One particular advantage of catalytic heaters is |
| less noisy, because they don't use a fan to | | | | that once they have been lit using the heater's |
| distribute air, instead operating on the principle that | | | | pilot light, they are entirely flame-free. This makes |
| warm air rises. These heaters take advantage of | | | | them perfect for use in a garage or workshop, as |
| the natural air currents produced by warm air to | | | | the lack of flame makes them a very safe option |
| distribute heated air throughout a room. | | | | in a potentially hazardous area. |
| Oil Heaters | | | | Gas or Electricity: which should you choose? |
| Oil heaters (also known as column heaters) are | | | | Probably the most important decision you'll make |
| generally regarded as the most efficient and | | | | when buying a portable heater is that of gas |
| cost-effective electricity-using portable heaters | | | | versus electricity. Both have their advantages and |
| around (however, they are not as efficient and | | | | disadvantages, but each tends to be more |
| inexpensive to run as most gas heaters). These | | | | suitable for particular locations. |
| work by using electricity to heat oil contained | | | | Electrical heaters are usually good for smaller |
| within the heater. The heated oil gives off heat | | | | rooms where they can be stored unobtrusively |
| into the air surrounding the heater, and natural | | | | until needed, and where they have easy access |
| currents move the heat around the room. | | | | to an outlet. Their lower inefficiency makes them |
| The beauty of these is that they take advantage | | | | unsuitable for large rooms, however. The main |
| of the fact that warm air rises and produces | | | | problem with heaters that rely on electricity is |
| natural air currents, even within a room where | | | | that you can't operate one without access to an |
| the air is reasonably undisturbed. That makes | | | | outlet. |
| them much more efficient in terms of heating | | | | The beauty of gas heaters is that since they |
| power, and cheaper in terms of electricity used, | | | | dispense with the need for an electrical outlet, you |
| than your average fan heater. | | | | can take them almost anywhere in your home. |
| Radiant Gas Heaters | | | | They tend to be more easily portable, since |
| Radiant heaters are usually powered by gas. They | | | | there's no need to worry about bundling up power |
| are highly cost-efficient, attractive, and | | | | cords and locating the best-situated outlet in a |
| unobtrusive. Better yet, they can provide instant | | | | room. With gas heaters, as long as you have gas |
| close-distance heat, and can also quickly heat an | | | | in the tank, you've got instant, portable heat |
| entire room. | | | | anywhere you need it. However, due to the |
| Radiant portable heaters work by dispersing | | | | emissions gas heaters produce, they're not |
| heated infrared rays. The heated rays radiate | | | | suitable for small rooms. |
| from the central heater point, where they can be | | | | |