Quick tips for choosing an energy efficient heater

Heater Energy Efficient

Choosing the most energy efficient heater

Heating and cooling uses the most energy in a home, so you can save money on your energy bills by choosing energy efficient heating. Use the helpful energy saving tips below to start saving power in your home. If you're ready to start shopping for a heater, Shop now

Energy Rating

Compare the energy star ratings of different heaters – the stars demonstrate how energy efficient the heater is, so when you see more stars it means more bill savings!

Size

Choose a heater that’s the right size for the space – if you choose a heater that’s too big you’ll just be wasting energy and money.

Suits the Space

  • Space heaters are usually used in bedrooms and main living areas.
  • For bathrooms and big, draughty rooms radiant heating is the best option.
  • In large spaces that have high ceilings a combination of convective and radiant heating works well

Controls

With controls for the thermostat and/or a timer you can create and maintain the optimum temperature for energy savings and home comfort. Some heaters automatically measure the temperature of the room then switch the heating off when necessary to save energy.

Types

Wood fired heaters

  • Create air pollution and the wood is often from unsustainable sources, with treated timbers giving off toxic fumes.
  • Open fireplaces are highly inefficient with up to 90% of heat escaping through the chimney and incoming cold air draughts.

Gas heaters

- Cheap to run but need ventilation

Types:

  • Flued – externally flued for outside ventilation, which is not always possible, especially for tenants.
  • Fixed – wall installed and most are flued, with fans to circulate hot air and provide convective and/or radiant heat.
  • Portable unflued – run on natural gas or LGP and give radiant or convective heat – need room ventilation for good air quality.
  • Flame effect – radiant and convection heaters vary in efficiency from purely decorative flames to highly efficient heat generating flames. Keep in mind that decorative gas heaters can use more gas than a space heater and not effectively heat the space.

Electric heaters

Types:

  • Portable – cheap to buy but running costs can be expensive.
  • Radiant Ceramic and Quartz – gives you instant radiant heat.
  • Fan – heats the air and can quickly warm smaller rooms.
  • Oil column – heats up slowly and creates a combination of convective and radiant heat.
  • Convector – not suitable for rooms with high ceilings or poor insulation because it heats the air which then rises.
  • Fixed – must be installed into the wall.
  • Storage heaters – heat is produced during the night using off-peak electricity then stored in bricks.
  • Wall panel heaters – expensive to run so compare with energy efficient heaters that cost more to buy but are cheaper to run
  • Reverse cycle split system air conditioners (A.K.A heat pumps) – the most energy efficient electric heater. 5 and 6 star reverse cycle units can be even cheaper to run than gas heaters, producing just one-fifth of the greenhouse gas emissions that a standard electric heater creates. They are quieter to run because the compressor is outside, and provide low cost heating in winter and cooling in summer

OUR TOP HEATING PICKS

  • DeLonghi 2400W Oil Column Heater with Timer DeLonghi 2400W Oil Column Heater with Timer
    Quick View
    DL2401TF
    $219
    4 payments of $54.75