Which infrared heater to buy?

[hj2k_x]

We currently heat our bedroom with an oil fin heater. It does the job but it really dries the air (as you'd expect) so we often wake up sinusy and generally warm, but uncomfortable.

Previously, we've tried wall panel heaters but I've found them to use more electricity than promised (like 1000W+), to be harder to install than you'd hope, and often to crack down the middle, depending on what brand you buy.

So I started looking at infrared options: https://www.newair.com/blogs/learn/infrared-heaters-pros-and-cons

We have one in the bathroom which was here when we bought the house, and it keeps you nice and warm when you're in the bath/shower.

Would one in the bedroom work?

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Is this something at which you have to throw decent money to get a decent one, like this https://www.takealot.com/milex-carbon-fibre-infrared-instant-heater-2000w/PLID54509377?

Anyone have one in the bedroom? Does it keep you warm? Is it mounted to the wall so that toddlers/daft adults don't burn their hands on the hot bits?

Those are my questions

 

[Frankie23]

Never used one of these infrared heaters before, but looking at the link you posted, that heater is rated at 2000W

Is it even cost effective to run one of those? I can't imagine you'll keep that type of heater switched on throughout the night, unless you don't mind spending an extra 16 units of electricity per night (assuming it runs for 8 hours at night)? At roughly R2/unit (where I live) it's 2 units x 8h x 30 days = an extra R480 per month on the electricity bill, just to run that heater

Of course, if you have cash for days, none of this matters and you can run it 24/7 if you wanted to

I would think that type of heater is fine for short bursts, like in a bathroom, where you'll run it for 20 or 30 minutes a day.

Won't it be a better option to get a good quality electric blanket for your bed? The ones I've used before are generally rated at 50W on the high setting. But that's because I don't have cash for days

 

[hj2k_x]

Never used one of these infrared heaters before, but looking at the link you posted, that heater is rated at 2000W

Is it even cost effective to run one of those? I can't imagine you'll keep that type of heater switched on throughout the night, unless you don't mind spending an extra 16 units of electricity per night (assuming it runs for 8 hours at night)? At roughly R2/unit (where I live) x 8h x 30 days = an extra R960 per month on the electricity bill, just to run that heater

Of course, if you have cash for days, none of this matters and you can run it 24/7 if you wanted to

I would think that type of heater is fine for short bursts, like in a bathroom, where you'll run it for 20 or 30 minutes a day.

Won't it be a better option to get a good quality electric blanket for your bed? The ones I've used before are generally rated at 50W on the high setting. But that's because I don't have cash for days

Yeah I saw that 2000W rating. I had hoped that one of the 3 energy settings was less than that. But your point stands - the things have to be on to provide any heat at all. So they'd run constantly overnight. Whereas the oil fin heaters reach temperature and then he thermostat is meant to turn them off until they cool and need to reheat... That's the idea anyway

 

[Frankie23]

Yeah I saw that 2000W rating. I had hoped that one of the 3 energy settings was less than that. But your point stands - the things have to be on to provide any heat at all. So they'd run constantly overnight. Whereas the oil fin heaters reach temperature and then he thermostat is meant to turn them off until they cool and need to reheat... That's the idea anyway

Yeah, the one oil heater I had previously had a thermostat that kept it going on whatever heat setting it was put on, and switched on and off as needed, so it wasn't running permanently.

 

[hj2k_x]

Yeah, the one oil heater I had previously had a thermostat that kept it going on whatever heat setting it was put on, and switched on and off as needed, so it wasn't running permanently.

The oil fin heaters we have in other rooms, like the lounge, work well for us. Doesn't seem to get so stuff if a room has a bit of ventilation and is larger. But it's the bedroom that's the problem. Definitely gets stuffy after leaving the fin heater on all night.

 

[joker08]

I have a milex infrared heater, but the cheaper r1600 one. We only turn it on when required, but I am in cape town so it's not as cold as places north of us.
It heats instantly, depending on where u focus it. We normally turn it on when changing babies diapers.
Con- too bright, it's almost like a light in your room. Wakes up the babies, and its impossible for me to sleep when it is turned on.

 

[hj2k_x]

I have a milex infrared heater, but the cheaper r1600 one. We only turn it on when required, but I am in cape town so it's not as cold as places north of us.
It heats instantly, depending on where u focus it. We normally turn it on when changing babies diapers.
Con- too bright, it's almost like a light in your room. Wakes up the babies, and its impossible for me to sleep when it is turned on.

Thanks for this. I hasn't considered the brightness factor at all. That's a lot brighter than I thought...

 

[maumau]

How about a winter weight Hungarian goose down duvet or a mohair duvet?

Nice and cosy in a chilly room.

 

[hj2k_x]

How about a winter weight Hungarian goose down duvet or a mohair duvet?

Nice and cosy in a chilly room.

One further challenge is a toddler who joins us in bed but refuses a blanket. Or socks. Or warm clothes...

 

[ahmedy]

I too have bought two varieties of heaters for the baby's room. One was the panel heater which really made very little difference. The other was a ceramic heater which was so bright that it would be nearly impossible for a child to sleep in. Both have been returned and for now I just use the AC heating option until I can find something more suitable.

 

[hj2k_x]

I too have bought two varieties of heaters for the baby's room. One was the panel heater which really made very little difference. The other was a ceramic heater which was so bright that it would be nearly impossible for a child to sleep in. Both have been returned and for now I just use the AC heating option until I can find something more suitable.

And is the AC heating not loud? Like a fan blowing all night?

 

[ahmedy]

It is a bit loud and makes a sound when it goes off after reaching the required temp and then starting up again but it doesn't seem to wake up the baby which works for me

 

[chief786]

Check out the range at https://striking.co.za/
They have a low glare range for indoors.Excellent support as well.
I bought one from them years ago but had to buy a dimmer as it got too hot sometimes.
I have stopped using it due to electricity prices.I now have a closed combustion wood stove.
Best investment I ever made.

 

[hj2k_x]

Check out the range at https://striking.co.za/
They have a low glare range for indoors.Excellent support as well.
I bought one from them years ago but had to buy a dimmer as it got too hot sometimes.
I have stopped using it due to electricity prices.I now have a closed combustion wood stove.
Best investment I ever made.

This does look promising. Specially with the dimmer option...

 

[bwana]

We currently heat our bedroom with an oil fin heater. It does the job but it really dries the air (as you'd expect) so we often wake up sinusy and generally warm, but uncomfortable.

Why not buy a humidifier or drape a damp towel over the heater?

 

[insect]

I have tried a lot of heaters, I have a heart defect feels like I am dying all winter long.

Oil, convection, ceramic , flat panel even asbestos heaters - currently using this one for about 3 years and its OK - have it right next to the bed and I have to switch it off at night as it gets too hot most of the time, it doesn't dry the air out too much although we have very dry winter air here in the Karoo.

Its got 3 heat settings and is also rated at 2000w, but I never use number 3 as it feels like it microwaves whatever its aimed at, and at that setting the amount of light it emits is almost like an old 60w light bulb.

Sometimes when I need to heat up the room quickly Ill switch it too number 2 as it releases a lot of heat and also light, you still don't need any additional lighting when its at 2.

Number 1 seems like the perfect balance between heat, light and power usage. It measures 465w power draw from the killowatt meter and doesn't make too much light and keeps the room very cozy even at Karoo frost levels.

Stand is a bit flimsy so id wall mount if there are toddlers.

 

[hj2k_x]

I have tried a lot of heaters, I have a heart defect feels like I am dying all winter long.

Oil, convection, ceramic , flat panel even asbestos heaters - currently using this one for about 3 years and its OK - have it right next to the bed and I have to switch it off at night as it gets too hot most of the time, it doesn't dry the air out too much although we have very dry winter air here in the Karoo.

Its got 3 heat settings and is also rated at 2000w, but I never use number 3 as it feels like it microwaves whatever its aimed at, and at that setting the amount of light it emits is almost like an old 60w light bulb.

Sometimes when I need to heat up the room quickly Ill switch it too number 2 as it releases a lot of heat and also light, you still don't need any additional lighting when its at 2.

Number 1 seems like the perfect balance between heat, light and power usage. It measures 465w power draw from the killowatt meter and doesn't make too much light and keeps the room very cozy even at Karoo frost levels.

Stand is a bit flimsy so id wall mount if there are toddlers.

View attachment 871007

Thanks for the detailed review

 

[joker08]

I have tried a lot of heaters, I have a heart defect feels like I am dying all winter long.

Oil, convection, ceramic , flat panel even asbestos heaters - currently using this one for about 3 years and its OK - have it right next to the bed and I have to switch it off at night as it gets too hot most of the time, it doesn't dry the air out too much although we have very dry winter air here in the Karoo.

Its got 3 heat settings and is also rated at 2000w, but I never use number 3 as it feels like it microwaves whatever its aimed at, and at that setting the amount of light it emits is almost like an old 60w light bulb.

Sometimes when I need to heat up the room quickly Ill switch it too number 2 as it releases a lot of heat and also light, you still don't need any additional lighting when its at 2.

Number 1 seems like the perfect balance between heat, light and power usage. It measures 465w power draw from the killowatt meter and doesn't make too much light and keeps the room very cozy even at Karoo frost levels.

Stand is a bit flimsy so id wall mount if there are toddlers.

View attachment 871007

I had bought this one at game. They were selling at 1400 but I got a price match deal for 1200.
I will agree, this one is not build to stay on a stand, especially if u have kids in the house.
I was not happy with the quality so returned it the same day and got the milex one for 1600.