HEATING, COOLING & AIR TREATMENT | 13 JUNE, 2024

11 MIN READ

Your complete guide to the most efficient, effective heater

I got chills, they're multiplying

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Heating your home in winter doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. All heaters cost money to run, of course, but some are cheaper than others and some are particularly efficient in certain types of spaces.

But how do you find the ‘right heater’ for your unique space? With such a wide range of options available, choosing the most cost-effective and efficient heating can be tricky and time-consuming.

Fortunately, you don’t have to make the choice alone. Whether you intend to use a gas or electric heater, we’ll help you find a heating option that will keep you cosy in winter without breaking the bank.

1. Measure your room

Size matters when it comes to heating. Many of us underheat our rooms or choose the wrong-sized heater for our living spaces, leading to even bigger energy bills and a cold, unwelcoming environment.

So your first step when choosing the most efficient heater is to measure the space you want to heat (in square metres). Simply multiply the room length by its width for your square metre measurement, e.g. a 4m by 6m room is 24 square metres (sqm).

2. Calculate the power your heater will need

Below are some formulas to help you calculate the power your new heater will need. (Note that if you have high ceilings, large windows or no insulation, you should aim for a slightly more powerful model, as these factors result in less heat being retained.)

Electric

Once you have your room’s area in square metres, multiply it by 100. This will give you the approximate power of the heater you’ll need to warm the room. The 100 refers to the 100 Watts (W) per square metre needed to heat the area effectively. If you live in a particularly cold part of Australia you may need to slightly increase this wattage, and if you live in a hot part, decrease it.

For example, a room that’s 3m wide and 5m long has an area of 15 sqm, and will therefore require a 1500W (1.5KW) electric heater.

Gas

Once you have your room’s area in square metres, multiply it by 75. This will give you the approximate power of the heater you’ll need to warm the room – 75W per square metre (again, a bit more if you live in a cold part of Australia, and a bit less if you live in a hot part).

For example, a room that’s 3m wide and 5m long has an area of 15 sqm, and will therefore require a 1125W (approximately 1.1KW) gas heater.

3. Choose the best heater in that power range

When we say 'best', we don't necessarily mean the most expensive top-of-the-range model with all the bells and whistles, but rather the one that's best for you in terms of being able to heat the space you need it to, look good in the space it will be used in, and fit within your budget.

Small to medium rooms (10-25sqm)

For a smallish room, you should be looking for fast, consistent heat, not maximum power. If you make the mistake of buying a heater that’s far too powerful, you’ll overheat and end up with an uncomfortably large energy bill.

The electric heater option for smaller areas

Column heaters are affordable and excellent at retaining heat. While they don’t heat up as fast as less-efficient electric fan heaters, they’re great for keeping a room warm for hours.

The gas heater option for smaller areas

Radiant and convector gas heaters are an excellent option for direct heating. They’re very simple to operate, feature child locks for safety, and project heat quickly into a smaller area.

IMPORTANT: Note that unflued gas heaters will vent their low-level emissions back into the room, so adequate ventilation is a must. They may also cause irritation if you have asthma or skin sensitivities.

Some States and Territories have restrictions in place concerning gas heaters and prohibit the use of unflued gas heaters in bedrooms. Be sure to check the laws in your area before buying a gas heater.

Gas heaters need the room in which they are used to have a gas connection, and this requirement alone can often be the deciding factor in whether a gas or electric heater is purchased.

Larger rooms (25-40sqm)

Larger living rooms, particularly those with higher ceilings or unconventional layouts, are best heated using more powerful gas heaters and higher-powered panel heaters. Rather than heat an area directly, they heat and circulate the air evenly around the room.

The electric heater option for larger rooms

If you’re able to isolate your room by closing doors and covering windows, panel heaters are a good option as they gently heat and circulate the air itself. As warm air rises over time, panel heaters push consistent, precise heat into the cooler areas. Alternatively, you might want to consider using a reverse-cycle air-conditioner for the most effective results in larger rooms and open plan areas.

The gas heater option for larger rooms

Gas heaters are excellent for bigger rooms because they’re efficient and effective, converting around 90% of the gas energy content into heat and providing powerful, instant heat. While they’re more expensive than electric heaters to buy, gas heaters can be cheaper to run.

Open-plan areas or whole house

Heating options for the whole home or large, open-plan living areas cost more to buy, but you’ll recoup the benefits financially over the long term, as they generally offer a much wider, further range of heating while remaining comparatively energy-efficient.

The electric option for open plan or whole home heating

Reverse-cycle split-system air conditioners are among the most cost-effective and energy-efficient heating options in the long run. They distribute air widely and evenly throughout small and large living areas and can be used to cool your home in the warmer months, meaning you don't need to double up on heating and cooling appliances. For a more accurate calculation on the right size for you, check out our Air Conditioner Buying Guide.

Bathrooms

The safest and most efficient option for bathrooms is the panel heater. Along with their compact design, many panels are rated as drip-proof and suitable for bathroom use.

Other things to consider

With electricity prices on the rise, room size and energy efficiency are important factors to consider, but they’re not the only ones. Here are some other things to think about when shopping for a new heater.

Convenience

If you like waking up to a pre-warmed room in the morning, and coming home to a warm house at night, choose a heater with a timer. That way, you’re only using heat when you need it, rather than leaving the heater on overnight or while you’re away, which is costly and ultimately unnecessary. Many column style and gas heaters include programmable timers, allowing you to simply set and forget.

Heaters with inbuilt thermostats are also an excellent option, as they maintain a precise temperature over time. While it’s tempting to jack the thermostat up on colder nights, try to resist the urge, because every degree higher can dramatically affect your energy bill. If you keep it set between 18°C to 21°C, you’ll be comfortable without spending too much on power bills.

Versatility

If you’re after something you can use to heat more than one room, consider a portable, lightweight model or one with castors. Many electric panel and column heaters come with castors. Unflued gas heaters can also be used from room to room, provided there's a gas connection point in the room.

WARNING: It’s illegal to use an unflued gas heater in a bedroom or poorly ventilated room.

Alternatively, you might consider a reverse cycle air-conditioner. As discussed above, they’re great for open-plan and unconventional layouts, as they heat a wide area very cost-effectively. Reverse cycle models heat and cool, making them an all-in-one air treatment solution.

Safety

Here are some helpful safety tips for heating your house:

If you have a young family or pets, and you’re worried about burns, avoid radiant heaters with exposed elements. Column heaters and electric panel heaters are generally a safer bet, as they’re only warm to the touch, so they won’t burn.
Never use a column heater in a bathroom as they’re not designed to be used around moist environments. Instead, consider a panel heater; many are drip-proof and some can also be wall-mounted to sit flush against the wall and out of harm’s reach.
Many more modern electric column and gas heaters come with automatic cut-off and anti-tilt designs, which turn the appliance off should it overheat or tip.
If you’re interested in a radiant or convector gas heater, consider one with an oxygen-depletion meter. If your room’s oxygen levels start decreasing, the meter will deliver an alert and eventually shut the appliance off entirely to ensure your safety.
It’s illegal to use unflued heaters in small or poorly ventilated rooms due to their emissions.
If you live in Victoria, take care to note Victoria’s laws governing the installation and use of gas heaters.

Speed

Fan heaters, while more expensive to run over long periods, heat up fast, making them ideal for short-term personal use and for heating smaller rooms.

The environment

Gas radiant and convector heaters are rated among the greenest options, producing low greenhouse gas levels and significantly less than many electric heaters. Their level of emissions must be certified by specific Australian standards.

Create a more efficient space

Now that you’ve identified the ideal heater for your space, let’s look at some simple ways you can increase the efficiency of your home and ensure it’s heated comfortably and effectively.

- Cover your windows and doors at night. According to the Victorian Government’s Department of Sustainability, “a single pane of glass can lose almost 10 times as much heat as the same area of insulated wall.”

- Close doors between rooms to retain heat. Open doors will reduce heating effectiveness dramatically, meaning you’re paying more for less effect.

- Wear warm clothing! This might seem obvious, but layering up means you’ll conserve more heat.

- Consider investing in supplementary items such as duvet inners for your bedroom, draught stoppers to stop cold air from leaking in, or heated throws if you want direct, personal short-term heat.

- Have insulation installed into your roof. Your home will be cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It’s a long-term, year-round solution.

- If you’re building a new home, renovating, or upgrading, consider installing a whole home heating system like reverse-cycle split-system air conditioning, a gas-powered unflued/flued heater, or hydronic gas heating. Don’t be put off by the larger up-front cost – you’ll appreciate the consistent longer-term benefits of higher-energy efficiency and a more widespread heat distribution.

The right heater makes all the difference

As you can see, taking the time to choose the right heater isn’t just a lot of hot air. We’ve outlined the most important factors to consider to ensure you make the right choice when it comes to effectively and efficiently heating your home.

If you have any other questions about buying the best heater for you and your home, you can get in touch with our friendly team 24/7 on 1300 000 500 or via the little chat icon at the bottom of your screen. We stock a huge range of electric and gas heaters and if the model you like the look of is in stock, we can usually get it to you the day after you order, with Appliances Online's legendary Free Next Day Delivery*.

Alexander Chetner

Alexander is a poet, music obsessive, and full-time existentialist who also writes a bit of copy. When not pondering the nature and meaning of human existence, you might find him with headphones on, making sense of the wonderful world of life-enhancing appliances.