Portable Radiator

[just_George]

I going to buy a portable radiator and was wondering if anyone could help please. I will be using it in the bedroom which is about 8 foot square and the cold draughty hall. Would 1.5 kw be enough or would 2 kw be better. Then is oil filled or oil free the best way to go economically. I will be getting one with a timer so when I have an early shift it can come on before I get up,is it safe to put my work shirt on over night so its warm when I get dressed. Any advice would be great thanks

[bookbinder]

Do not put any kind of clothing over a heater! This can cause a fire!
Find some way of hanging your shirt in front of the heater, so that there is no contact between the shirt and the heater.

[KARL]

As you will realise, a higher rated heater produces more heat. Your suggestion indicates that you are only aiming to slightly raise the temperature and only temporarily at that - only you can be the judge of what is "enough" in such a regime. Heaters are not intended to be used as clothes warmers or dryers, not proper central heating radiators either, but in cold British houses very unorthodox behaviour abounds, not least the concept of food and drink being the primary way to beat the chill.

[gingejbee]

I'd go for oil-filled, at least 2kW...you then have the option to use one of a few different outputs ie 1, 1.5, 2 kW etc.
Although oil-free are said to be upto 10% more economical, I'd still buy oil-filled.

[bhg481]

Perhaps you ought to think about fixing the draughts as well. That will save a lot of heat.

[just_George]

Its a very old stone building with original lead criss cross windows and I rent it so cant do much. I have done what I can with the doors including a lined door curtain. Secondary glazing has been fitted to 3 windows but I get condensation; I hope a portable radiator will help with the damp feeling too

[bhg481]

Your best bet is to buy a high-power one with a thermostat. If you buy a low-power one and it's not adequate you'll have wasted your money. A high power one with a thermostat will cut off when it reaches the desired temperature so shouldn't cost any more to run. High-power only costs more to run when it's on constantly.

[ivor4781]

this is all you need for an 8ft square room,dont bother with oil filled you wont save any electric with those .
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4152198.htm

[gingejbee]

^^^I don't agree with ivor's post. The big advantage with oil-filled is that it continues to give out heat (because there's a large "body" of hot oil) even when using no power ie thermostat has switched off.....so it's better for an overall background warmth than a convector heater. That's why oil-filled are so popular....

[ivor4781]

gingebe... like wise in getting hot, takes longer to reach temperature so no advantage where as no oil type gives instant heat out

[MissLead]

If you have a Lidl near you, their weekly offers pamphlet for 20th to 26th Oct includes a 2500W (max -there are 3 power settings) oil-filled radiator with an integral, but separately controlled, fan heater giving 500W. We have two of these and can recommend them. The radiator doesn't take that long to heat up but the fan bit would give a quick blast when you're getting dressed. £39. 99. I think they only come in black though.

[Buenchico]

Higher-powered radiators don't cost that much more than lower-powered ones and, because they've got variable heat settings, you don't need to use them at maximum power if you don't need to.

The only heating in my house is a Clarke 2.5kW oil-filled radiator and (having had loads of different heaters over the years) I can thoroughly recommend it to you. (You might well find that the 2kW model is actually fine for your needs as well but avoid the 1.5kW one, as it doesn't have a timer). They're available from Machine Mart, which has 65 branches across the country:
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/c/oil-filled-radiators/

[Mamyalynne]

Here's the Lidl one for comparison.


http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=38043#

[Buenchico]

My previous radiator was one of those Silvercrest models from Lidl. I quite liked it but I find that the Clarke one I've got now seems to be more efficient at producing heat. (i.e. when using the same power there appears to be more heat coming from the Clarke one). Further, the Silvercrest one stopped working at the higher power settings about three years.

[Mamyalynne]

I'd go for the Clarkes one as I know their products are quality and reliable.