Match the heater to the room before comparing prices. Heater type determines how warmth is generated and distributed: column heaters suit sustained background warmth in bedrooms and living areas, ceramic and fan heaters heat a space quickly, panel heaters run quietly for sleeping areas, gas heaters handle larger living spaces, and infrared heaters spot-heat outdoor or semi-outdoor areas.
Capacity matters as much as type. Portable electric heaters range from 1,200W to 2,400W, with lower wattages suited to small rooms and 2,200W to 2,400W suited to larger living rooms and open-plan spaces. Gas heaters are measured in megajoules per hour instead.
Heaters on sale by type
Heater type determines how the appliance generates and distributes warmth, which affects running costs, heat-up time and the room size it can handle.
Heater type | How it works | Best suited to |
|---|
Column heaters | Oil-filled columns absorb and radiate heat, warming a room gradually and holding a consistent temperature. Silent, with no fan noise. | Bedrooms and living areas where sustained background warmth is the priority. |
Radiant heaters | Heat objects and people directly via radiant elements (also known as infrared heaters) rather than warming the surrounding air first. | Spaces needing quick, direct warmth such as garages or outdoor-facing areas. |
Panel heaters | Wall-mountable electric heaters that distribute warmth across a flat surface. Quieter than fan heaters. | Bedrooms and sleeping areas where fan noise is undesirable. |
Ceramic heaters | A ceramic element with a fan distributes warm air quickly. Heats a room faster than column or panel models. | Spaces that need rapid warmth on demand. |
Fan heaters | The most compact and portable format, with high heat output for its size. Generates fan noise and generally uses more power than other types for sustained use. | Spot heating smaller spaces. |
Gas heaters | Produce heat from natural gas or LPG with strong heat output. Require adequate ventilation. | Larger living spaces where electric heating would be expensive to run at equivalent output. |
Electric fireplaces | Combine a heater with a visual flame effect. | Living rooms where the fireplace is also a design feature. |
What heater capacity do you need for your room size?
Heater capacity is measured in watts and determines how much area the unit can heat effectively. Matching capacity to room size is the most practical first step when comparing heaters on sale.
Capacity | Room size | Typical rooms |
|---|
Up to 1,200W | Small rooms up to 12 square metres | Bedrooms, studies and small offices |
1,500W to 2,000W | Medium rooms up to 20 square metres | Standard bedrooms and small living rooms |
2,200W to 2,400W | Larger spaces up to 30 square metres | Larger living rooms and open-plan spaces |
Gas heaters (measured in MJ/h) | A 25 MJ/h unit handles a large open-plan living space | Large open-plan living areas |
What features should you compare when buying a heater?
Running cost is the most important long-term consideration when comparing heaters on sale. An electric heater with a lower purchase price can cost significantly more to run over a winter than a more efficient model with a higher upfront cost.
Features to compare across heaters on sale:
Thermostat: an adjustable thermostat cycles the heater on and off to hold the target temperature rather than running at full output continuously, which reduces electricity use.
Timer and programmable settings: let the heater turn on before you wake up or arrive home, reducing the time it runs while the room is empty.
Safety features: overheat protection and a tip-over switch automatically cut power if the heater is knocked over or reaches an unsafe temperature.
Oscillation: rotates the heating element or fan to spread warm air across a wider area rather than directing it one way.
Energy consumption: measured in watts. Most portable electric heaters range from 1,200W to 2,400W, and lower wattage settings are typically sufficient for maintaining temperature once the room has warmed.
Wi-Fi connectivity: available on selected premium models for remote control and scheduling via a smartphone app.
Wheels and handles: useful on column heaters that move between rooms across the season.
Heater brands at The Good Guys
Major heater brands available at The Good Guys include:
De'Longhi: oil column heaters across different capacity and price points. The Dragon series is the long-running flagship range.
Dyson: bladeless fan heaters at premium price points, with options that combine heating, cooling and air purification.
Goldair: column, ceramic and panel heater formats across mid-range price points in Australia.
Heller: column, fan and ceramic heater formats across entry-level and mid-range price points.
Dimplex: panel heaters and electric fireplaces, with wall-mounted and freestanding options.
Rinnai: gas heaters in flued and unflued configurations for larger living spaces.
Omega Altise: gas and electric heaters, with energy-rated and quiet-operation options.
Price bands across the heater range at The Good Guys:
Tier | What it covers |
|---|
Entry-level | Entry-level fan and ceramic heaters for basic heating needs at low upfront cost. |
Mid-range | De'Longhi column heaters, panel heaters with thermostats and timers, and Goldair tower heaters. |
Higher-spec | Premium column heaters and Dyson bladeless heaters. |
Premium | Gas heaters, electric fireplaces and large-room Rinnai units. |
How do you buy a heater on sale?
Identify the room size in square metres. As a guide, a 1,200W heater suits small rooms up to around 15 square metres, while 2,000W to 2,400W suits medium rooms up to 25 square metres.
Choose the heater type: column for sustained background warmth, ceramic or fan for rapid heat-up, panel for quiet bedrooms, gas for large living spaces, infrared for outdoor or semi-outdoor areas.
Check for a thermostat and timer. Both reduce running costs by stopping the heater from running when it does not need to.
Confirm safety features. An overheat cut-out and tip-over switch are worth checking, particularly for households with children or pets.
For gas heaters, confirm whether the room has adequate ventilation and whether flued or unflued installation is appropriate.
Compare current sales across brands like De'Longhi, Dimplex and Rinnai, using the brand filter on this page to see which brands have live stock.
Confirm delivery at checkout.
Add to cart or reserve in-store for collection at your nearest The Good Guys.
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