How to Heat Your Space Effectively with a Portable Heater

In winter, heating your home while keeping your power bills down is an ongoing challenge. A portable heater is a popular solution. Also known as space heaters, portable heaters are excellent at warming up small spaces and are easy to move from one room to another. They’re perfect for rentals and homes that don’t allow for fireplace installation or central heating, and they’re 100% efficient, converting all the energy they use into heat.

If you need some help finding the right style of portable heater, or making the most of it to maximise the heat in your home, then you’ve come to the right place. Home Fires can help you choose the right heater, give you energy efficiency tips to get the best results out of it and address concerns like how to turn the gas heaters on and off safely.

Whether you’re browsing affordable gas heaters or leaning towards the electric option, here’s what you need to know.

Choosing the Right Portable Heater for the Space

Before you go heater shopping, there are some important considerations to take into account about your own home and situation, including:

Your budget

Portable heaters offer value for money, but realistically, you can only spend what you can afford. Make sure you factor the cost of running the heater (fuel, power, etc.) into your overall budget calculations.

Your home size

The size of a room impacts the efficiency of the heater you plan to use in it. To calculate your required heater size, take the square root of the room and multiply it by 100. Approximately 100W per square metre is the required power of the unit.

Safety features

Safety is always a priority, especially if you have children or pets in the house. Safety features, such as tilt-switch off functions, flame failure devices, dress guards, and sensors, ensure the safer use of your heater in your home.

Other features

Good standard features make your portable heater easier and more enjoyable to use. Some positive features to look out for include a compact design (easy to move!), concealed controls, a timer for built-in convenience, thermostat set-and-forget operation, easily adjustable temperature settings, and low-emission technology.

Energy Efficiency Tips for Portable Heaters

Everyone wants to save money, and power bills tend to spike in winter. Here are some suggestions for keeping costs down while warming your home with a portable heater:

Choose the right heater

Choosing a heater that’s too large or too small is bad for your power bill either way. Too large, and you’ll waste power; too small, and you’ll have to turn it all the way up to get the job done. Type also matters: convection heaters are more effective for small enclosed spaces, while larger heaters are better for open-plan rooms. Heaters with features like programmable timers and adjustable thermostats provide a greater level of control over your power usage.

Position the heater in the right place

Place the heater in the centre of the room, away from windows and doors to minimise heat loss, and obstacles such as furniture or curtains. Make sure the room is well-insulated and seal any gaps or cracks around doors and windows to prevent energy from escaping.

Know when to switch off

Turning your heater off when it’s not required is essential for saving power. To cut down on electricity costs, only heat the rooms you’re currently using. Close windows and doors to stop draughts from getting in, and leave the curtains open during sunlight hours to let natural heat into the house.  

Portable Heater Comparison: Gas vs. Electric

Portable heaters are available in various fuel types, with gas and electric being two of the most common options. Both offer fast and efficient forms of home heating with no smoke or embers, but there are some crucial differences between the two. If you’re choosing between a portable gas heater or the electric equivalent, here’s a quick comparison:

Upfront and ongoing costs

Gas heaters are often more expensive to buy upfront and may require installation. However, they can be much more affordable to run over the long term than electric heaters, which use more power.

Performance

Both electric and gas heaters are high performers, but in different ways. A gas heater, particularly the larger models, is more suitable for heating an entire home. If you only need to warm a single room, an electric or small gas heater can often do the job well and fast.

Limitations

Unlike gas heaters, electric heaters won’t work during a power outage—an important consideration if you need to keep warm during a wild weather event.

How to Turn the Gas Heaters On and Off Safely

It takes a professional to properly install and regularly service a portable gas heater. You should always observe safety protocols, such as ensuring plenty of ventilation, cleaning the heater regularly, and avoiding drying clothes too close to the heater. Safety is also a priority during the everyday operation of your heater. Here’s how to turn the gas heaters on and off safely:

Always follow the instructions

Safety instructions may vary between gas heater models, so please refer to the instructions for your specific model.

Turning on:

1. Find the gas valve.
2. This is usually a knob or lever on the gas line near the heater.
3. Turn the valve on.
4. If your heater has a pilot light, find the ignition point and follow the instructions to light it.
5. Turn on the temperature knob.
6. Once the pilot light is on, turn the control knob up to your chosen temperature setting and make sure the flame is blue. A yellow or orange flame can indicate problems.

Turning off:

1. Turn the control knob all the way off.
2. This stops the main flow of gas.
3. Turn off the gas valve.
4. Make sure you turn it fully to the off position and make sure the pilot light is off.
5. If you smell gas after you’ve fully switched off your heater, contact a professional.
6. Make sure you never leave your heater unattended, and keep children away from it.

Heat Your Home Effectively With Home Fires

Whether you’re looking for affordable gas heaters and fireplaces or another style of portable heater in Sydney, Home Fires has the model you need to heat your home. Sydney’s leading fireplace retailer, we’ve been a trusted name in the business for over 40 years. We offer industry-leading warranties and expert advice for heating your home.

For more information, contact the Home Fires team online or pop into our Minto or Casula locations.