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Main boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Michael Rolls on November 06, 2022, 06:56:49 AM

Title: Instataheat heater
Post by: Michael Rolls on November 06, 2022, 06:56:49 AM
I've seen a lot of adverts for this device which claims to be far more efficient than other heaters. The claims are so extravagant that I get the old 'if it seems too good to be true...'
Has anyone got one?
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Raven on November 06, 2022, 07:11:42 AM
No, but I think I know the one you mean. I keep getting an advert for one on my FB. I wondered about it as well, I could certainly do with it but not if it costs an arm and a leg to run.
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Michael Rolls on November 06, 2022, 07:34:13 AM
the advert I have just seen quotes £90, but discounted to £49.95 if any left at the price (Guess?)
Mike

November 06, 2022, 07:35:19 AM
if it is anything like as good as is claimed, even at £90 for an all electric house like mine it is very tempting
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Diasi on November 06, 2022, 09:02:42 AM
It's a scam.

But it you want to try a mini heater you can get them a lot cheaper.

https://amzn.to/3WrONts
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Ashy on November 06, 2022, 09:34:38 AM
1 kWh of electricity through a resistor is 1 kWh of heat or 3.6 MJ. That is an absolute constant.

For an electric heater to be more efficient it can only claim that, if whatever it''s heating gets more of the heat than it would from a different shaped heater. For example if one heater is a radiator with directional reflectors it will heat a body in its path of direction more quickly than a convector that heats the air.
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: klondike on November 06, 2022, 09:58:37 AM
As Ashy says no heater is going to put out more heat than it gets power in. If indoors then any electric heater is going to dump 1kWh of energy into the house for every 1kwH of energy it uses with the only difference being the users perception. A radiant or fan heater will warm the skin of the user more than a convection heater so some may consider it a better choice.

Gas is still a lot cheaper than electricity per kWh even when you take into account that some of the energy gets dumped outside the house as hot flue gasses. The downside is that CH radiators are room heaters and not directed at the user. 

I wouldn't spend money on electric heaters but I can see why some people do. Without the option of gas I think it's a case of individual choice but there is no such thing as a magic electric heater.

I've turned down the theromostat and turned off the radiators in unused rooms. It won't save me a great deal though.
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Michael Rolls on November 06, 2022, 10:57:08 AM
I must admit I thought it too good to be true. Apart from the gas fire in the small lounge, everything else here is electric. When Bob MacGregor was having the place built in 1990, as there is no mains gas here, the choice was electric or oil, and he felt on balance electric was the way to go - nowadays, of course he would have reached a different decision!
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Raven on November 06, 2022, 01:06:35 PM
These halogen heaters are pretty good, I have one down in Perth that I use in The dining room if I'm on the computer. Not expensive either.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384355662260?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=7101533165274578&mkcid=2&itemid=384355662260&targetid=4584826055637461&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=412354546&mkgroupid=1299623041023876&rlsatarget=pla-4584826055637461&abcId=9300541&merchantid=87779&msclkid=732cf2df0f941b09f3f891b8bf558c54s-l500.jpg
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Alex on November 06, 2022, 01:08:43 PM
I used to have one of those it was instant heat, think I may get another one for down here.
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: klondike on November 06, 2022, 01:59:35 PM
We used the bigger versions (3 x 400w bars) at the caravan and they are great for a quick warm up when you get in from the cold. Site price for electricity was only marginally more than at home and worked our similar to the bottled propane. We mostly only used the van CH to warm it up in the morning before we got up. The fire got used when we got back in and in the evenings.
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Michael Rolls on November 07, 2022, 03:42:23 AM
yes, I've got one that I used in the workshop - very effective, but no idea how they compare in what they use to my other heaters, so I haven't used in in the house
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: klondike on November 07, 2022, 10:11:53 AM
Halogen heaters are almost all 400w per bar. Fan heaters and convectors usually offer 1kw or 2kw settings but there are others. Whatever it is will usually have a rating plate on it somewhere.
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Alex on November 07, 2022, 04:02:14 PM
1000 watts = 1 Kw :hmm:  :hmm:  :hmm:
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: klondike on November 07, 2022, 04:07:56 PM
Yes - that's what the kilo in kilowatts means. It gets use in all sorts of things as do other prefixes

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UwYVQgYI8yE/maxresdefault.jpg)
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Alex on November 07, 2022, 07:11:38 PM
You're just trying to confuse me more.... :spam:
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Diasi on November 07, 2022, 07:33:04 PM
Quote from: Alex on November 07, 2022, 04:02:14 PM1000 watts = 1 Kw :hmm:  :hmm:  :hmm:
The same as 1000 metres = 1km (kilometre)
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Alex on November 07, 2022, 07:44:53 PM
I'm ok with kilometres and kilos :smiley: 
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: klondike on November 07, 2022, 08:52:28 PM
Millimeters and millilitres too?

How about megabytes gigabytes and terrabytes?

It's just numbers.
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: Diasi on November 07, 2022, 09:03:28 PM
Quote from: klondike on November 07, 2022, 08:52:28 PMMillimeters and millilitres too?

How about megabytes gigabytes and terrabytes?

It's just numbers.
The Terrabytes weren't just numbers in Jurassic Park.

They were well scary & fierce.  :grin:
Title: Re: Instataheat heater
Post by: klondike on November 07, 2022, 09:09:46 PM
:grin: :grin:  :grin: