Autumn is coming and with it the first cold days that encourage us to fine-tune and turn on the heating systems that we have at home to adjust the interior temperature of the house at a more comfortable value.
We may have a general heating installation at home that supplies heat to the entire home, but even so, it is usually common for there to be points that are a little out of service or that need extra caloric support, as for example it can happen in the bathrooms at the time of showering, bathing, cleaning, etc.
In these cases we have many options in the market that can satisfy our needs, the most versatile being the so-called compact portable heaters, capable of offering considerable thermal power in a short time. What do you have to look for when buying one of these devices? Here are the key points to choose well.
Compact portable heaters: advantages and disadvantages
Compact type portable space heaters are general systems very versatile that allow heating a room relatively easily simply by plugging them into the electrical current, without installation of tubes, pipes or other accessories.
Inside they have everything you need to function, including heating elements, fans to extract heat, thermostat to select the desired temperature, even in some models, programmers, timers and power selector. You just have to plug them in and go.
Operation is usually based on one or more electric resistors which are heated by the passage of current, the appliance extracting the heat to the outside by convection or by means of a fan with different rotation speeds. This has the advantage of being a very simple and inexpensive, with equipment that is generally priced well below 100 euros.
However, this way of heating has significant drawbacks. To begin with, they generally have very little thermal inertia. The heat is emitted directly into the air and after turning off the appliance it cools down rapidly unlike other fluid-based systems such as oil radiators.
In addition, they are much less efficient than other more modern technologies based on heat pumps, since consume a lot of electricity for the relatively low thermal performance they generate. Thus are not suitable for continuous operation nor to heat large rooms, its use being recommended in small rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, etc. and for short periods of time if we don’t want to spend a fortune.
Another of its disadvantages is Noise level that they generate, usually much higher than other passive systems such as radiators and even heat pump air conditioners. The fans in charge of extracting the air outside the heater they are usually noisy, although each time manufacturers are trying to minimize this inconvenience in their most cutting-edge models.
Portable heaters: what to look out for
If at this point we decide to buy one of these portable heating devices but we do not have much idea of how to choose it, since they all seem practically the same when we see them in the store, there are some parameters to consider.
To begin with, the level of protection they have against splashing water. They are equipment that we are probably going to use in humid places such as the bathroom, so it is convenient to see if resist moisture, condensation, etc. Manufacturers usually provide these protection data explicitly on the box, but even so we can also look at some additional features such as that the resistors are not exposed to the air, that they are not seen with the naked eye, that the device is well coated and protected on all sides and that the advertising indicates that it is indicated for use in the bathroom, if that is where we want to use it.
And related to this point is that of the heater safety. The safest models are those that have a thermostat that allows us, on the one hand, to select the desired temperature, but above all that it is capable of turn off the appliance if overheating occurs of the equipment for example because a piece of clothing has covered the fans. If our possible portable heater does not have this type of thermostat, we run the risk of it overheating and even having an accident.
The next point to consider is the electric power, indicator directly proportional to the ability to deliver calories to the room. The usual thing is to find teams that have powers of between 1,000 and 2,500 watts, either fixed or with the possibility of using a selector with several adjustment levels. The most useful are usually the latter, since they allow us to adjust the heat to our needs at all times.
If we also want the heat to start generating as quickly as possible, the models that have ceramic type resistors They are usually the ones that offer the best results, although they also have a higher price.
It is also interesting that the team has some kind of programmer to turn on and off at certain times or after a certain time of use. And of course, the ignition switch should be accessible, well insulated and of good quality.
Another functionality that may be useful is related to the heater oscillation. There are models that have an integrated turning system that allows the hot air flow to be distributed throughout the room, very useful so that it does not remain concentrated near the appliance. Also, if we want to be able to use the equipment as fan in summer, we must find that it has this function in its specification sheet.
Six recommended models
Taurus Gobi-Heater
The Taurus Gobi-Heater is a compact 23.5 x 13.6 x 28 cm fan heater with a maximum power of 2,000 watts, adjustable thermostat, ventilation function for the summer, two heat settings, carrying handle and a contained price that stands at 22.90 euros.
Taurus Gobi-Heater, fan heater, silent, 2000 W, Adjustable thermostat, ventilation function, 2 Heat Positions, Carrying handle, plastic, Multicolor
Jata TV63
Another interesting model is this Jata TV63, a horizontal design fan heater with dimensions of 25 x 26 x 9 cm, rotary selector with 3 positions (ventilation, medium heat and maximum heat) and heating power of 1,000 and 2,000 watts. It has overheat protection, front grille and operation indicator light. Its price is around 23 euros.
Jata TV63 Horizontal Heater Fan, 2000 W, Black
Cecotec Ready Warm 7000
The Cecotec Ready Warm 7000 Quartz Bath It is a device with elongated shapes designed to be used in bathrooms, since it has IP24 protection. It has a power of 1200 watts, adjustable thermostat, two heat levels, safety grid and is recommended for surfaces of about 10 square meters. Its price is around 26 euros.
Cecotec Low Consumption Electric Radiator Ready Warm 7000 Quartz Bath 1200W, Special for Bathrooms, Adjustable thermostat, 2 Levels, Safety Grid, IP24, 10m2
Ufesa CC1800IP
Among the models with ceramic resistance we have this vertical type Ufesa CC1800IP, a model with the power of 1800 watts, IP21 certification for use in humid environments, adjustable thermostat and three temperature levels: 2 heat powers and ventilation function for the summer. It has an anti-tip switch and thermal safety protector. Its price is around 36 euros.
Rowenta Instant Comfort Aqua
One of the most interesting models on the market is this Rowenta Instant Comfort Aqua (model number SO6510F2), a compact device of only 15 x 31 x 22 cm designed for use in very humid places such as bathrooms. It has a silent mode with power of 1,200 watts and 45 dBA and another of maximum heat with 2400 watts, with an anti-drip system, double safety insulation, carrying handle, thermostat and unheated air function. Its price is around 52 euros.
Rowenta Instant Comfort Aqua SO6510F2 – Comfort Aqua 2400W heater, suitable for bathrooms, Silence function
Rowenta SO-2330
The Rowenta SO-2330 It is a versatile model with dimensions of 19.5 x 26 x 13 cm and vertical design with a power selector up to 2,400 watts, indicator light, fan only option for summer, carry handle and silent mode that reduces the power and the decibel level. Its price is 55 euros.