What to look for in a mobile heater

Whether you're heating a small bedroom for a short period or a larger room all day long, there's a style of mobile heater to keep you warm this winter.

Most mobile heaters work using radiant heat, convection or a combination of both. Like all electric heaters, portable heaters will cost more to run than hydronic or gas heating systems, but advances in technology mean there are now models available that are a lot more efficient than the energy guzzlers of old.

Convection heaters

"Convection heaters are really the most efficient mobile heater to run, environmentally and economically," says Malcolm Kerr of The Good Guys. "You may pay a little more up front, but they will save you in the long run."

Convection-based mobile heaters work by taking in air, passing it over a heating element and expelling it as warm air (with or without the use of a fan). Modern slimline models can be put on casters or wall mounted. The largest portable heater of this type comes in at 2400 watts and will heat a space of up to 24 square metres, with a ceiling height of 2400 millimetres.

Micathermic panel heaters

A similar mobile heater choice is the micathermic panel variety. These use a combination of convection and reflective heat to quickly warm a room without drying out the air. "The panel heats up, so you have heat coming from across the whole panel rather than from the top," explains Malcolm. "These also do a great job at warming and are very efficient."

Oil-filled mobile heaters

The more traditional oil-filled column heaters are still a familiar sight but, according to Malcolm, they can be expensive to run, and cumbersome. "They have to stand out from the wall because you get radiant heat from all sides," he explains. "They can also dry a room out, so it's best to get one with a humidifier cup. Otherwise it's a good idea to keep a bowl of water in the room."

If you want something that will warm you instantly, and you're only going to use it for quick bursts, such as when dressing, you probably should be looking at a cheaper blower heater or bar radiator. "These are more for personal heating," explains Malcolm. "Bar radiators are not very efficient and are only recommended to instantly heat a small area."

Micro-furnace mobile heaters

Ceramic 'micro-furnace' blower heaters are generally the most effective. These use a fan to push air out through a grill and, according to Malcolm, "They can really push the heat out, so they tend to be more efficient than the older-style blower heaters."

Choosing a mobile heater

No matter which type of mobile heater you choose, Malcolm recommends one with a choice of heat settings and a thermostat. "By using a thermostat properly you can cut back on the amount of power you use, thereby further increasing efficiency." 

Finally, a word of caution – although gas and kerosene heaters are still available, these can be dangerous and are illegal in some states.