Which Oil Heater is Most Economical to Use?

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beforenightfalls

185 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 58130 9-Mar-2010 10:08
We are looking at getting a new oil heater for this winter as our current one keeps heating up the plug and making some odd noises. There are many different ones for sale and its important to us that we find that one that will do the job for a Dunedin winter, but at the same time not be too expensive to run. It is for a double sized bedroom, that is by no means large, and would probably be kept on most of the time as our newborn baby will be sleeping there when he/she is born. What type of oil heater is going to do the best job? Is it a case of more or less fins? Are radiator styles better than traditional types? Some advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

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261 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 305623 9-Mar-2010 10:29
With heaters, the amount of heat put out is basically equal to the amount of energy it uses. You won't be able to get a heater that puts out more heat for less energy. So, you need to work out how big you need the heater to be to heat the room it will be in.

stevonz

391 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Reply # 305643 9-Mar-2010 11:26
To the OP, I think this is an oxymoron... oil heaters are expensive to run. Far more economical options available. Maybe look at fan assisted heaters? Cheers, Stevo

patatrat

261 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 305647 9-Mar-2010 11:36
Only a heat pump will put out more heat than energy it uses. This is because it doesn't create heat using electricity like electric heaters; it draws heat from a heat sink (in most cases, the air outside). Oil heaters, fan heaters, these all create heat using electricity and only create as much heat as electricity they use. They are no more efficient than each other.

beforenightfalls

185 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 305654 9-Mar-2010 12:15
Wouldn't a smaller oil heater have to work harder to heat an average sized bedroom compared with a larger oil heater? I am not keen on fan heaters are they are very noisy, plus I want a heater that is on continuously so that the room is always warm for baby, surely a fan heater shouldn't be on constantly?

vexxxboy

1165 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 305666 9-Mar-2010 12:54
with oil heaters the more fins the bigger the room you can heat and the trick with oil heaters is never turn them off, just down because they use more electricity turning them on from cold

rscole86

3809 posts

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Reply # 305674 9-Mar-2010 13:06
You could have a look at the micathermic heaters, we have a Goldair 200, and love it. Its lightweight, easy to move, and you can even wall mount it if you want to. We paid around $140 for it. http://www.ssm-nz.com/index.cfm/goldair/heating/micathermic_heaters/gmh200.html

sleemanj

899 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 305679 9-Mar-2010 13:23
All electric heaters are 100% efficient. All electricity in, eventually gets out as heat. So, the type of electric heater you choose, is dictated by the OTHER requirements you have, and the usage profile you expect. An Oil Heater is primarily a "safe" option for unattended heating, and when children are about, the surface doesn't get too hot that it will cause a nasty burn, much less that it would set something on fire. The downside, is that when you turn it on, first the oil is heated (storing heat), then the oil heats the air, when you turn it off, the oil discharges it's stored heat into the air. This means, you really need to turn it ON a bit before you need it, and turn it OFF a bit before you won't need it any more. Otherwise you're wasting heat. Of course, that's inconvenient. A Fan Heater is fast and directed, you turn it on and instantly you get warmer, you turn it off and quickly you get cooler. The downside is it's not so safe. Other heaters are basically between these two extremes. Ultimately, as I said, whatever electric heater you choose, a 1 kilowatt oil heater outputs the same amount of heat as a 1 kilowatt fan heater. So once you know how much heat you need, your choice of heater is made on other factors. A heat pump, is not an electric heater. with oil heaters the more fins the bigger the room you can heat and the trick with oil heaters is never turn them off, just down because they use more electricity turning them on from cold 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics would like a word with you I think. --- James Sleeman My hobby - listing small amounts of interesting/useful hobby electronic components hardware and stuff on Trademe for cheap, all good geek stuff for the "maker" revolution ;-) Tip for Trademe addicts: install an addon for your browser to get thumbs for all listings.

beforenightfalls

185 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 305680 9-Mar-2010 13:24
Thanks. I have never heard of a micathermic heater. Would it be any more economical to use compared to an oil heater? Is it quiet and can they be on all the time? I think I like the idea of an oil heater as they are most similar to radiators which is what I grew up with.

patatrat

261 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 305683 9-Mar-2010 13:34
sleemanj is correct. These 'micathermic' heaters are hybrid convection and radiant heat. (Convection being how the oil heater works and radiant heating objects rather than air.). They will be no more or less economical to use compared to oil or fan heaters as you can not get more heat out of the same amount of energy.

beforenightfalls

185 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 305688 9-Mar-2010 13:38
Yes to know the laws of thermodynamics would be ideal, but alas I don't so i'm asking you guys... Is it worth paying more for a reputable brand? If I was buying a tv I wouldn't buy a transonic, I assume the same applies here.

sleemanj

899 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 305689 9-Mar-2010 13:42
Sure. A heater is nothing complicated. But you get what you pay for, in longevity. A transonic heater will heat just the same as a superuberflashbrand heater when they are working, which one lasts the distance is another question all togethor. --- James Sleeman My hobby - listing small amounts of interesting/useful hobby electronic components hardware and stuff on Trademe for cheap, all good geek stuff for the "maker" revolution ;-) Tip for Trademe addicts: install an addon for your browser to get thumbs for all listings.

rscole86

3809 posts

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Reply # 305692 9-Mar-2010 14:03
beforenightfalls: Thanks. I have never heard of a micathermic heater. Would it be any more economical to use compared to an oil heater? Is it quiet and can they be on all the time? I think I like the idea of an oil heater as they are most similar to radiators which is what I grew up with. They are very quiet, the only time you hear it is when you press the electronic buttons. The longest Ive had one on is around 24-30 hours, so sure why not leave it on all the time ;).

alasta

2301 posts

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Reply # 305703 9-Mar-2010 15:50
sleemanj: All electric heaters are 100% efficient. All electricity in, eventually gets out as heat. Ultimately, as I said, whatever electric heater you choose, a 1 kilowatt oil heater outputs the same amount of heat as a 1 kilowatt fan heater. So once you know how much heat you need, your choice of heater is made on other factors. Wouldn't the motors in a fan heater trade some heat energy for kinetic energy?

sleemanj

899 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 305707 9-Mar-2010 15:55
And where does the kinetic go when everything stops moving :-) Doesn't vanish. Doesn't go back down the wire. It moves the air, which moves the dust, which creates friction etc etc eventually, it's all heat. Isn't it. Same goes for sound. And light. --- James Sleeman My hobby - listing small amounts of interesting/useful hobby electronic components hardware and stuff on Trademe for cheap, all good geek stuff for the "maker" revolution ;-) Tip for Trademe addicts: install an addon for your browser to get thumbs for all listings.

NonprayingMantis

3612 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 305728 9-Mar-2010 17:21
sleemanj: All electric heaters are 100% efficient. All electricity in, eventually gets out as heat. .....except the ones that make noise, produce light, or have moving parts

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