Even if your home has an efficient heating system that is working perfectly well, there may still be a need for supplemental heating for various reasons. But what are the criteria for purchasing this equipment?
What is meant by auxiliary heating?
Unlike a conventional boiler, the auxiliary heater has the particularity of being mobile and therefore movable from one point to another, on the one hand, and on the other hand, it turns on or not according to the needs of punctually. Many situations may require the use of this equipment. A portable convector or a gas heater are suitable for occasional use in rooms and areas of the house that do not have central heating coverage. For example, if you have an outdoor room that you use as a workshop, a back-up heater could be useful in winter if you work there. The same is true if you have a veranda that is too cool but you want to use because you have many guests. An auxiliary heater can also be used in the bathroom, the guest bedroom, the attic, or even the garage.
It is also in the off-season, in the event of a cooling of the temperature in the evening or in the early morning, that this device can perfectly take over from the main heating when it has not yet been turned on. And because we precisely control its start-up, this mode of heating is also recommended for households wishing to save money on their energy bill.
There are three main families of auxiliary heating on the market, namely: electric, oil-fired and gas-fired appliances.
Electric auxiliary heating
Due to their ease of handling and use, these are the most popular auxiliary heaters in private homes. There are different types and the model will be selected above all according to the use you want to make of it.
Appreciated for its small size and lightness, the fan heater is the mobile heating device par excellence. However, as this model is not very powerful, it is especially suitable for small rooms that need to be heated very quickly, such as bathrooms. Very silent, because operating with a resistance, mobile electric convectors heat a room in just a few minutes after being turned on. Their disadvantage: the distribution of heat is heterogeneous and as soon as the device is switched off, the room cools relatively quickly.
Fortunately, you won’t have this problem with inertia heaters. Do not be fooled by their slow start-up, because once the mechanism is well engaged, the heat is distributed evenly, but above all long-lasting.
Auxiliary gas heater
As an alternative to electric heaters, gas space heaters also deserve attention. Having a high calorific power compared to other equipment, these appliances very quickly diffuse gentle and constant heat in the room, without drying out the surrounding air. Nevertheless, insofar as they work with gas cylinders, namely butane or propane, it is advisable to check that the air vents of your accommodation are not obstructed; the risks of carbon monoxide emanation are never to be taken lightly.
As for the infrared gas heater, it offers radiant heat thanks to its ceramic bricks, which is, in any case, more interesting than the basic infrared gas heater, whose stainless steel burner generates a lot of heat. ‘humidity.
Finally, a word should be said about the gas models which are the most interesting: these are the catalytic devices. Flameless combustion eliminates any risk of toxic emissions. Either way, for your safety, only buy gas heaters that carry the EN449 standard.
Auxiliary oil heating
Supplemental oil-fired heaters are not the most efficient. In addition, they require having a stock of fuel oil. Finally, fuel oil is a polluting energy and its use can cause the diffusion of unpleasant odors. This is a restrictive auxiliary heating mode, which is not to be recommended.