Your Guide to the Most Efficient, Effective Heater
Heating your home in winter doesn’t have to cost you 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’ve got gas or electric available, we’re going to help you find a heating option that will keep you cosy in winter without breaking the bank.
Smaller rooms
If your room is 20 square meters or smaller, we recommend small capacity heaters that have a capacity of around 1.5kW.
In a smaller room, you generally want 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.
Small to Medium Rooms
Rooms between 20 to 40 square meters (the size of many family/living rooms) are best heated with column heaters, panel heaters and lower-powered gas heaters. While these options don’t heat up as fast as less-efficient electric fan heaters, for example, they’re great at radiating heat and keeping a room warm for hours.
Gas Heaters:
The radiant and convector gas heaters below 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. Some gas heaters are even designed to be portable (provided you have gas bayonet fittings in the relevant rooms, of course).
IMPORTANT: Note that unflued gas heaters will vent their low-level emissions back into the room, so ventilation is a must. They may also cause irritation if you have asthma or skin sensitivities.
Electric:
The electric heaters below 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.
Larger Room (40-50+ sqm)
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 Rinnai Avenger gas heater range works best for larger living rooms
Otherwise, you should consider a reverse-cycle air-conditioner for the most effective results in larger rooms.
Find the right size
Size matters when it comes to heating. It's the most important factor in finding the best size heater to keep you cosy. Choosing the wrong-sized heater means you'll be spending chilly nights at home and spending even more on energy bills.
To calculate your room size, simply multiply the length of the room by its width for your square metre measurement. And that's it!
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 – 100W per square metre (a bit more if you live in a cold part of Australia, and a bit less if you live in a hot part).
e.g. A room that’s 3m wide and 5m long has an area of 15 square metres (sqm), and will therefore require a 1500W (1.5KW) electric heater.
Note that this table is best suited to homes with standard ceiling height (~2.4m) and carpeting/insulation.
If your home has higher ceilings and/or wooden/tiled flooring, choose a slightly more powerful heater to ensure your home is appropriately heated.
Size Guide | Compact Space | Small to Medium Room | Larger Room |
|---|---|---|---|
Room Size - Square Metres (sqm) | 5-20 sqm | 20-30 sqm | 30-40+ sqm |
Minimum Kilowatts Required | 1kW-1.5kW (1000-1500W) | 2kW-2.5kW (2000-2500W) | 2.5kW+ (2500W) |
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 (a bit more if you live in a cold part of Australia, and a bit less if you live in a hot part).
e.g. A room that’s 3m wide and 5m long has an area of 15 square metres (sqm), and will therefore require a 1125W (about 1.1KW) gas heater.
If your home has higher ceilings and/or wooden/tiled flooring, choose a slightly more powerful heater to ensure your home is appropriately heated.
Size Guide | Compact Space | Small to Medium Room | Larger Room |
|---|---|---|---|
Room Size - Square Metres (sqm) | 5-20 sqm | 20-30 sqm | 30-40+ sqm |
Minimum Kilowatts Required | 1kW-1.5kW (1000-1500W) | 1.5kW - 2.5kW (1500-2500W) | 3kW+ (3000W) |
When the Price is Right
With the cost of living always on the rise, being budget conscious is more important than ever. Thankfully when it comes to home appliances, like our heaters, you can always find one that suits your needs and won't break your bank. To make things as easy as possible, we've already put together all of our budget friendly models in one easy click. Remember, cheap doesn't mean bad - it just means you get the items you are after, at a great deal!
Fan Heaters
Quiet, easy to use and small enough to suit any room, Fan Heaters are very effective in small spaces. While they're not generally as energy efficient as other portable alternatives, they heat up quickly to provide welcome bursts of direct heat.
Fan heater styles range from straightforward electric models to completely bladeless designs. To help protect your home and your loved ones, most fan heaters include a range of safety features, such as anti-tilt protection, as well as insulation that keeps them cooler to touch while operating.
If you're after a more personal heating alternative, consider Electric Blankets.
DeLonghi 2400W Capsule Fit Fan Heater White HFS70B24WH
Yet to be reviewed
Stiebel Eltron CK 20 Premium 2kW Fan Heater 202085
Yet to be reviewed
DeLonghi Ceramic Capsule 2000W Fan Heater HFX40T20WB
Yet to be reviewed
Omega Altise 1500W Compact Ceramic Heater OACH15KWR
Yet to be reviewed
Column and Panel Heaters
Column Heaters and Panel Heaters are compact, portable and affordable. They don't require installation, and can be set up anywhere provided a powerpoint is nearby.
While they don’t heat up as fast as less-efficient electric fan heaters, column and panel heaters are generally excellent at retaining heat and keeping a room consistently warm for hours.
Some units feature precise thermostat timers that maintain ambient heat within your ideal time schedule. Simply set & forget!
Gas Heaters
Gas heaters are an excellent heating option for small and large rooms. They’re very simple to operate, feature child locks for safety, and project heat quickly into small and large rooms. You'll generally find them available in both Natural Gas and LPG (be sure to check you have the right model before ordering).
They're very efficient and effective, converting around 90% of the gas energy content into heat and providing powerful, instant warmth. While they’re more expensive to buy than electric heaters, gas heaters are significantly cheaper to run.
Gas heaters are either unflued (vent their emissions back into the room; require appropriate ventilation) or flued (vent their emissions to the atmosphere through a connected pipe).
Depending on the state you live in, certain regulations do exist regarding the use of gas heaters.
WARNING: It’s illegal to use an unflued gas heater in a bedroom or poorly-ventilated room.
Gas heaters are generally available in two styles: radiant and convector.
- Radiant heaters are the more traditional style and have a visible heating element behind a grille. They're most effective for heating one direct area in front of the heater (like a spot heater).
- Convector heaters, on the other hand, use convection heat (and often a fan) to more effectively spread heat throughout a larger area.
Electric Fire Heaters
Have you ever wished you could add a classic fireplace to your home, without having to build a chimney, chop wood or clean up soot? A more practical option would be to add an electric heater with flame effects to your home, so you can enjoy all the best parts of a fireplace while avoiding the hassles and hazards.
Cleverly using lights and water vapour to create their flame effects, these heaters give your home the cosy look and feel of a traditional fireplace, while consistently maintaining a reliable temperature with electric heating - the best of both worlds!
Dimplex 2kW Caden Mantle with 30 Inch Revillusion Firebox CDN20-AU
Yet to be reviewed
Dimplex Beading 1.5kW Medium Electric Heater Suite BDG15-AU
Yet to be reviewed
Dimplex 2kW Huxley Mantle with Revillusion Firebox Electric Heater HXY20-AU
Yet to be reviewed
Open Plan Areas / House Heating
Heating options for the whole home or large, open-plan living areas have a costlier outlay, but you’ll recoup the benefits financially over the long-term, as they generally offer a much wider, further range of heating while remaining energy-efficient.
Gas recommendations
Whole-house gas systems like hydronic and ducted-gas are energy-efficient and slowly gaining in popularity, but they do come with significant installation costs. (Sorry, we don’t sell these products.)
Electric recommendations
The reverse-cycle split-system air conditioners below 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 are also suited to cooling in warmer months. For a more accurate calculation on the right size for you, check out our Air Conditioner Sizing Guide.
Things to Keep in Mind
Aside from energy use, there are a few things to keep in mind when searching for your ideal heater.
- Convenience
If you like waking up to a pre-warmed room in the morning, and coming home to a warm house at night, consider a heater with a timer. That way, you’re only using heat when you actually 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.
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. Many models are also versatile enough to heat and cool, so they’re usable all year round.
- Safety
Here are some helpful safety tips for heating your house:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Many modern electric column and gas heaters come with automatic cut-off and anti-tilt design, which turn the appliance off should it overheat or tip.
4. If you’re interested in a radiant or convector gas heater, consider one with an oxygen-depletion meter. In the event that your room’s oxygen levels start decreasing, the meter will deliver an alert and eventually shut the appliance off entirely to ensure your safety.
5. It’s illegal to use unflued heaters in small or poorly-ventilated rooms due to their emissions.
- The environment
Gas radiant and convector heaters are rated among the greenest options, producing low greenhouse gas levels and significantly less than that of electric heaters. Their level of emissions must be certified by specific Australian standards.
Heater Efficiency
There are some simple ways you can increase the efficiency of your heater, save yourself some money on power bills, and ensure you stay extra cosy throughout cooler months.
Insulation, for example, is one of the most effective ways to improve energy efficiency around the home – keeping the summer heat out and the cool air inside your home for longer.
- 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.”
- Have insulation installed into your roof and/or walls. Your home will be cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It’s a long-term, year-round solution.
- Wear warm clothing! This might seem obvious, but layering up means you’ll conserve more heat.
- Consider investing in duvet inners for your bedroom, draught stoppers to stop cold air from leaking in, or heated throws if you want more direct short-term heat.
- Close doors between rooms to retain heat. Open doors will reduce heating effectiveness dramatically, meaning you’re paying more for less effect.
- 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. The larger up-front cost may be higher, but you’ll appreciate the consistent longer-term benefits of higher-energy efficiency and a more widespread heat distribution.
Winning Services
Our Winning Services team can professionally install your new gas heater or split-system air-conditioner, and remove and recycle your old unit. Some installations can be a bit more complex than others; so we’re happy to come out to your home and do an optional quotation for $65. This is a rebate quotation - if you choose to have our Winning Services team install your new air conditioner, we’ll take the cost of the quotation off the final installation price.
Please note: Air conditioner installations are not available in all locations. Our helpful team can let you know your installation options.
To find out more and to book your installation, please call us on 1300 020 020.
State Regulations
When looking at purchasing a heater, it's important to be well aware of any regulations or restrictions your State may have in effect. Please check with your gas/heating authority to find out about any regulations.
Ask Our Customer Support Team
- If you're unsure which heater is right for your home, simply contact our 24/7 Australian customer support team on 1300 000 500, and we will talk through some options with you.
- Alternatively, send us an email: support@appliancesonline.com.au