[onthemove]

I need some help here folks

Was told by one and all to only buy Oil heaters if needed as there is a risk of fire with the others. Is this true?

What type of heater should I pick up? And can this be left switched on at night?

[KnowItAll]

We have a simple electric heater... have had it for around a decade without any problems -- just don't leave wet clothes to dry on the heater.

[Valencia1]

My father got rid of an oil heater some years ago. It's expensive, bulky and warmthless. I put my hands close to it and could hardly feel the warmth. Oil heater can be dangerous too if not up to standard, according to the consumer council. I prefer fan heaters.

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by Valencia

My father got rid of an oil heater some years ago. It's expensive, bulky and warmthless. I put my hands close to it and could hardly feel the warmth. Oil heater can be dangerous too if not up to standard, according to the consumer council. I prefer fan heaters.

ummm, this goes against current thinking in other countries....

generally oil heaters (oil/fluid filled electric heaters, column heaters) are better space heaters than fan heaters. they dont dry the air as the air is not forced thru red hot electric elements. they are thermostatically controlled. they do take 1 hr or so to heat a room, unlike fan heaters which are quicker. oil heaters do not run the entire time they are "on" - they reach a temperature, they turn off, the oil stays warm, letting the heat "radiate". as the oil cools, the thermostat comes back on again, heating the oil again. very safe. cheap. but a little slower to warm up.

fan heaters cost more to run, as they run at top speed all the time. they are dangerous - if the vent is blocked, they overheat, and can ignite. if they are dropped/bashed, the elements can break/spark/short circuit. they operate at higher temperatures than oil heaters, the latter being safe to touch, fan heaters are too hot to touch, and can cause things close by to ignite. they can also "suck" curtains and stuff onto them, blocking the vents. dust/fluff inside them can ignite.

most oil heaters also come with tilt safety switch - if they fall over, they turn off. this is not really u huge issue with these anyway, as they are sealed elements (wont leak oil), that run at low temp, and should not cause fire even if they fall over. fan heaters most likely WILL.

oil heaters are kid safe. they elements/fins never really exceed a temperature that is safe to touch.

i would (and have) quite happily set oil heaters on an auto-timer switch to turn on b4 i get up, and just b4 i get home. they are safe to do this. they are safe to leave on all night, "safe" to leave unattended. you'd be insane to leave a fan heater unattended.

the "ceramic" fan heaters are supposed to be safer than standard fan heaters, but they still run on the same principle - air is forced passed super hot elements, and comes out HOT.

oil heaters win, easily IMHO

[jaetee]

I just bought a ceramic heater which allows me to set timer and program the temperature. It has worked pretty well so far, but I have been only using it for a week. The timer and temperature setting are good features, especially if we want to use it overnight.

[PhilE]

Can't add much to whats been said already - except our ceramic heater also has a tilt switch - i.e. it cuts out if it falls over.

DDF is still right though - if it fell over whilst hot onto something flamable you could be in trouble.

We have 1 oil and 1 ceramic for a large flat - oil in bedroom left on overnight. Ceramic in lounge for rapid heat when getting in from work etc.

[Azuremain]

I most agree with dropdedfwed. Just want to add that passive measures like good isolation of windows, doors, exhaust pipes etc. should be considered as well.

[Valencia1]

Have a look at this http://www.consumer.org.hk/website/w...es/p34903.html. According to the consumer council in their recent testing, 3 of the best performing samples go to fan heaters, and they've found oil radiators which are hazardous.

Fan heaters DO NOT go at top speed all the time. The model I have is a Crown fan heater (an old model). It, like many fan heaters, comes in two speeds and will stop when a certain temperature is reached. Remember, the models will be improved every year and fan heater is quite popular in HK, I guess it's because of our culture of impatience, everything must be quick.

Fan heaters, like fans, cannot be used unattended. It is safer when compared to infrared heaters. The price is unbeatable. I've seen two models this week, $99.90 in Wellcome, $89.90 in CRC.