are panel heaters any good?

Question

im looking to buy a panel heater to go in ly loft as i hear they give out good heat and have low running costs. is this true?

Answer 1

I think that they are great for spot heat.

I have one that is made to go under the desk to keep your legs warm while you are sitting there in winter. It is only 30 watts and is designed to hang up like a picture frame on the inside of the desk back where your feet are. I have it wired so it comes on when my computer does so it is not on forever. I consider it the best office accessory I have ever bought and don't know how I did without it for years.

Answer 2

It's "sorta" true.
If the panel heater is a radiant type, that mostly puts out long wave infra-red radiant heat, (like what you feel facing a fire) then it can be cheaper to run because it will only heat what it's "aimed" at, like you. If you leave it on all the time to heat up the whole space, it will do that...but the end result is exactly as expensive as any other kind of electric heat.

Electric heat is 100% efficient, and no amount of oil or fancy do-dads will change that. A 1000 watts of electric heat equals 3413 BTUS, no matter how it's delivered. A 1000 watt hair dryer is exactly as "efficient" as the most expensive and fancy 1000 Watt space heater.

If you only run it when you are there, and can turn it down when you are not...and it really does deliver most of it's heat via "radiant" heat...then it may be cheaper to run than other forms of electric heat. If it isn't mostly radiant heat, it heats by convection, where the air is heated around it and rises, to be replaced by colder air...and around and around it goes until the air in the room is all heated up. Expensive heat!
Radiant heat is very fast. You will feel the heat "shine" on you very quickly, even when the air in the room is cool.

PS: I like Rich Z's 30 watt heater, put somewhere it counts! Using electric heat like that is a smart way to use it. At 30 Watts, it could run for 10 hours for less than a nickle. Where can I get one for under my computer desk, Rich?

Answer 3

yes. i have one in my basement.