Heaters under R1,000 that are ideal for backup power systems

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mylesillidge

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Best heaters under R1,000 for beating load-shedding this winter

There are five main types of heaters available in South Africa that can run off relatively small backup power systems or no electricity — ideal for keeping warm during winter load-shedding.

Appliances with heating elements consume a lot of electricity, historically making them inappropriate for use with affordable, lower-end backup power systems.
 
Running backup power and worrying about a heater is a bit crazy. Spend a bit of money, get some warm clothes and those lekker thick thermal socks and you're fine. This is SA, not Iceland.
 
Wall or panel heaters are more energy-efficient than oil heaters — especially over the short term.

They typically use aluminium or ceramic materials for their elements and housings, and heat rooms with convection — like oil heaters.

These heaters have a more consistent power output — typically under 500W.
Click to expand...

All resistive heaters are 100% energy efficient.

The most efficient heaters are heat pumps.
My modest portable air conditioner had a power draw of 1KW in heating, but will pump 2KW worth of heat .

1747756108468.png
hisense.co.za

Hisense AP-12HR4SEJS00 | Air Conditioner

User-Friendly Control and Display, Self-Diagnosis & Auto Protection, Independent Dehumidifier & Self-Evaporative Movement System
hisense.co.za hisense.co.za
 
konfab said:
All resistive heaters are 100% energy efficient.

The most efficient heaters are heat pumps.
My modest portable air conditioner had a power draw of 1KW in heating, but will pump 2KW worth of heat .

View attachment 1821788
hisense.co.za

Hisense AP-12HR4SEJS00 | Air Conditioner

User-Friendly Control and Display, Self-Diagnosis & Auto Protection, Independent Dehumidifier & Self-Evaporative Movement System
hisense.co.za hisense.co.za
Click to expand...
and then spools down to 300W when at temp. Yes, my point was that for the budget people, IR is better than fan or oil-fin, as it transfers the heat instantly.
 
wingnut771 said:
and then spools down to 300W when at temp. Yes, my point was that for the budget people, IR is better than fan or oil-fin, as it transfers the heat instantly.
Click to expand...
Not exactly the most practical thing if you want to keep a newborn warm. Heating the air is a bit more gentle.

Something that the article didn't actually mention is the most power friendly heaters are actually direct contact ones. Like an electric blanket or a hotpad.

85W for a hotpad or 100W for an electric blanket.

Reason why is that they effectively trap the heat with insulation of a blanket or a person, rather than to try heat the room.
 
Wall panel heaters are not good or efficient.

Yes they are low energy…they are also ****ing useless.

Even with backing foil and all the tricks. They also last maybe two years and then need to be replaced.

You need to keep them on all day for them to be of any use and even then the room is a few degrees warmer.

500W x 18 hours is suddenly 9kWh PER ROOM PER DAY, the most inefficient thing on the planet.

So then rather use a 1-3kW heater that actually works but only needs to be on for a very short period to heat the room and thanks to its thermostat only here and there in between.
 
Some proper misinformation in this article. Fan and gas heaters suck. The normal fan heaters are 2000w on high and 1500w on low, and it will not properly heat a medium sized room. Gas heaters run out of gas in 3-5 days. IR and panel heaters are better but also suck. The best option is to go all out and install an earthfire fire place, buy a bunch of wood, and play with a sugarbaby on the couch in proper warmth.
 
saor said:
Running backup power and worrying about a heater is a bit crazy. Spend a bit of money, get some warm clothes and those lekker thick thermal socks and you're fine. This is SA, not Iceland.
Click to expand...
See this :), haven't run a heater in years
 
Benedict A55h0le not said:
Some proper misinformation in this article. Fan and gas heaters suck. The normal fan heaters are 2000w on high and 1500w on low, and it will not properly heat a medium sized room. Gas heaters run out of gas in 3-5 days. IR and panel heaters are better but also suck. The best option is to go all out and install an earthfire fire place, buy a bunch of wood, and play with a sugarbaby on the couch in proper warmth.
Click to expand...
These things pump:
1747760790822.png
 
Benedict A55h0le not said:
Some proper misinformation in this article. Fan and gas heaters suck. The normal fan heaters are 2000w on high and 1500w on low, and it will not properly heat a medium sized room. Gas heaters run out of gas in 3-5 days. IR and panel heaters are better but also suck. The best option is to go all out and install an earthfire fire place, buy a bunch of wood, and play with a sugarbaby on the couch in proper warmth.
Click to expand...
Wood arrived today and first time running the fireplace this winter season.

5 000 pieces of wood arrived today. 20250520_191112.jpg
 
This.
konfab said:
All resistive heaters are 100% energy efficient.

The most efficient heaters are heat pumps.
My modest portable air conditioner had a power draw of 1KW in heating, but will pump 2KW worth of heat .

View attachment 1821788
hisense.co.za

Hisense AP-12HR4SEJS00 | Air Conditioner

User-Friendly Control and Display, Self-Diagnosis & Auto Protection, Independent Dehumidifier & Self-Evaporative Movement System
hisense.co.za hisense.co.za
Click to expand...
And some more panels on the roof so you can charge the batteries and run the heater (and A/C in summer) at the same time.
 
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