Which Heater Is Best for Me? Fan, Ceramic, Bar, Bathroom and Patio Heaters Compared
Which Heater Is Best for Me? Fan, Ceramic, Bar, Bathroom and Patio Heaters Compared
The best heater depends on room size, how quickly heat is needed, whether the user wants direct radiant warmth or general air heating, and where the heater will be installed. Wattage affects electricity consumption, but heater type affects how that heat feels and how quickly it reaches the user.
Quick heater comparison
| Heater type | Best for | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact fan heater | Desk, study or small bedroom | Fast warm air and low purchase price | Noise and limited room coverage |
| PTC ceramic tower | Living room or bedroom | Controlled airflow and stable heat | Higher purchase price |
| Two-bar radiant heater | One person or a small zone | Immediate direct warmth | Does not heat the full room evenly |
| Bathroom bar heater | Short bathroom use | Wall mounted and direct radiant warmth | Must be installed in an appropriate bathroom position |
| Infrared bathroom lamp heater | Bathroom ceiling zone | Fast warmth without floor clutter | Professional installation required |
| Patio wall heater | Covered entertainment area | Directional outdoor warmth | High power and limited effect in wind |
Heaters available
- WHL&E Portable White Fan Heater – Compact Tabletop & Desk Heater — compact personal heater for a desk or small room
- Radiant Tower PTC Ceramic Heater — PTC ceramic tower heater for controlled room heating
- Radiant 2000W Fan Heater With Thermostat — 2,000W fan heater with thermostat
- Radiant 2000W Turbo Fan Heater with Thermostat — turbo fan heater for faster circulation
- Radiant 2 Bar Electric Heater — two-bar radiant heater for direct personal warmth
- Waco Wall Mount 2 Bar Bathroom Heater — wall-mounted two-bar bathroom heater
- Waco Wall Mount 3 Bar Bathroom Heater — three-bar bathroom heater for stronger radiant heat
- Waco 2 Bulb Mounted Bathroom Heater — two-lamp ceiling-mounted bathroom heater
- Waco Patio Wall Mount Heater & Remote — wall-mounted patio heater with remote
Electricity-cost formula
Cost per hour = heater kilowatts × electricity tariff. A 2,000W heater equals 2kW. At a hypothetical R3.00/kWh tariff, one hour costs about R6.00. Use the customer’s actual tariff for a correct estimate.
Safety essentials
- plug portable heaters directly into a suitable wall outlet
- do not use a multiplug or extension lead
- keep curtains, bedding, furniture and clothing away
- do not cover the heater or dry clothes on it
- switch it off when leaving the room or sleeping
- use bathroom heaters only where their design and installation are suitable
Best choice by customer
- Working at a desk: compact personal fan heater.
- Heating a bedroom quickly: thermostat fan or ceramic heater.
- Feeling warm without heating the whole room: radiant bar heater.
- Bathroom comfort: professionally installed wall or ceiling bathroom heater.
- Outdoor entertainment: wall-mounted patio heater in a sheltered position.
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Contact Whitehouse for product advice, availability and a quotation