ARTICLE
How to choose the right heater for your home
April 28, 2026-4 min read
Choosing the right heater comes down to room size, safety, noise and how long you need warmth. This article compares the main heater types, highlights standout buys and shows when a reverse cycle air conditioner may be the smarter all-season option.
Key Takeaways From This Article
Electric heaters suit smaller rooms and renters thanks to easy plug-in use.
Panel heaters are wall-mountable, low profile and good for quiet heating.
Oil column heaters are better for longer use in larger spaces.
Ceramic heaters suit spot heating with tip-over and overheat protection.
Scott Bazley says reverse cycle split systems with inverter tech are the most efficient.
When the temperature drops, the right electric heater can make all the difference. But with so many options - panel, oil column, ceramic, radiant- it’s easy to feel unsure about what actually suits your space.
Here are the top tips to help you find the right heater for the job, plus we asked our seasonal expert Scott Bazley for a run-down on the latest heating solutions and hot features to stay toasty warm all winter long.
Whether you’re looking for a whisper-quiet panel heater to thaw your home office, a stylish air purifier that can heat and clean the air, or a safety-minded ceramic heater to keep things cosy in the bedroom all night, there’s a perfect house-warming hero for any space.
“Portable and lightweight, electric heaters come in several different types and are an easy and affordable way to enjoy delicious warmth in an instant,” says Scott Bazley. “Their plug-in-and-go convenience makes them ideal for renters and those living in smaller spaces.”
Convection And Panel Heaters
Convection heaters and panel heaters use an enclosed heating element and fan to heat and blow warm air into the room and are generally an affordable heating option.
“Because of their enclosed heating elements, convection heaters and panel heaters don’t heat up too much, making them a safe choice for families with little fingers to protect,” says Scott.
“Both styles are a fast source of heat but they aren’t the most efficient style of heater, so they’re perfect for switching on to warm up a cold room – rather than having them on all day to heat up your whole house.”
Got a snug space to warm? Panel heaters are a great space-saving option as they feature a low profile and can be wall mounted to keep your floors and walkways clear.
Shop Panel Heaters
Noirot 2000W Spot Plus Panel Heater
Oil Column Heaters
Oil column heaters contain heated oil that circulates around the fins, warming up the outer casing. Some new models don’t contain oil but work on a similar principle.
“Oil column heaters are the ideal style of heater to switch on for long periods of time because there’s no exposed heating element and they’re relatively efficient in their power consumption,” says Scott.
Hot Column Heater Buy
Great for creating long-lasting heat in larger areas such as lounge rooms, the DeLonghi 2400W Dragon 4 Oil Column Heater w/Timer has a chimney design to boost heat flow, and castors so you can easily move the heat to wherever it’s needed.
Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters work by heating a built-in ceramic element that absorbs then radiates heat for fast and even warmth.
“Ceramic heaters are perfect for spot heating and come with important safety features that switch off the unit if it tips over or before it overheats. They are also cool to touch so are safe for households with small children and pets,” says Scott.
Hot Ceramic Heater Buy
With an oscillating fan to spread heat fast and evenly, and an auto shut-off function to prevent overheating, the Dimplex 2kW Tall Ceramic Heater is perfect for keeping you snug in the bedroom all winter. It will make a stylish addition to your boudoir too!
Radiant Heaters
If you love huddling close to a heater while watching TV or working from home, a radiant heater is for you.
“More a personal style of heater, the further away from a radiant heater you are, the cooler it gets. But the warm, cosy glow they give off is like sitting next to an open fire,” says Scott.
Enjoy Warm, Fresh Air Everywhere With An Air Purifier
Winter’s closed windows can lead to stale, stuffy air. Freshen up and enjoy purified, heated air in any chilly room with one of the latest intelligent Dyson heaters that clear the air of nasties while keeping you cosy.
Hot Air Purifier Buy
Delivering medical-grade air filtration, the stylish Dyson HP07 Hot+Cool removes unwanted odours, as well as those microscopic culprits that can cause respiratory health issues. Get real-time air quality reports and control the temperature from anywhere via an app on your smartphone.
How To Choose The Best Electric Heater For Your Home
Shopping for a new electric heater? Here are a few things to consider…
Room Size
Small, enclosed spaces of up to 40sqm suit electric heaters. They’ll work efficiently and quickly to heat rooms such as a bathroom, bedroom or lounge that isn’t open to the rest of the home.
Heat Output
The heat output you require from an electric heater depends on the size of the room you want to heat. A 1000W heater is fine for small rooms measuring about 10sqm. Larger rooms will need an electric heater that provides 1500W to 2000W of power.
Timer
Look for an electric heater model with a 24-hour timer that switches the unit on and off when needed. It’s the perfect feature to warm up your house in the morning before you wake up, or for keeping a bedroom toasty on a cold winter’s night.
Safety
Most modern electric heaters feature safety settings for your peace of mind. Look for some of the following:
Thermal cut-out or switch: Switches the heater off if it overheats.
Tilt switch: Turns the heater off if it tilts over to prevent fire hazards.
Automatic shut-off: Turns the heater off after it’s been left on for long periods.
Drip protection: Protects the heater from water dripping onto it and ruining the electrics.
Energy Efficiency
In terms of energy efficiency, there isn’t a noticeable difference between the different styles of electric heater.
“Something to keep in mind if you have a ceiling fan in the room you’re heating is to switch the fan to ‘winter’ mode and have it on while you heat – this will help distribute the warm air more evenly so your heater doesn’t have to work as hard,” says Scott Bazley.
“Something to keep in mind if you have a ceiling fan in the room you’re heating is to switch the fan to ‘winter’ mode and have it on while you heat” says Scott Bazley.
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Enjoy Year-Round Comfort With A Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner
Prefer an all-in-one heating and cooling solution? Reverse cycle air conditioners are your ticket to perfect climate control at home, in any season. In winter, they bring the heat, drawing it in from outside. And come summer, they pump refrigerated air into the room so you stay cool as a cucumber.
Is energy efficiency a priority?
“Reverse cycle split system air conditioners with inverter technology are the most energy efficient models, thanks to their ability to regulate temperature without starting or stopping,” says Scott.
Find Your Ideal Heater At The Good Guys
Want to stay warm as toast this winter with one of The Good Guys heaters? Visit us online or in-store and let our friendly experts help you choose the best electric heater or heating solution for your home.
