A halogen heater is a small, portable heater that produce radiant heat, they produce a familiar orange glow and may be connected to an electrical outlet to provide heat in small spaces.
But are they a good use of your money? And how do they compare to other types of electric heaters?
The use of halogen elements rather than electrical coils or propane or butane conductors as a heat source distinguishes this type of heater.
However, it’s important to remember that gas is still cheaper than electricity. For example, in the UK, the current price of electricity is 29p/kWh and the cost of gas will be 7p/kWh.
Halogen Heaters Key Takeaways:
- Electric heaters should only be used for a limited amount of time and to heat a small space.
- Overall, the cheapest electric heater to run are infrared heaters, costing around 26p an hour on average.
- Halogen heaters like infrared utilise radiant heat, this means they heat objects rather than the surrounding air.
- Halogen heaters with a timer function can save you a lot of money by limiting your usage.
- You can find them at a very cheap price on sites like Amazon, like this one.
Recent halogen heater models can be utilised in a variety of situations and come with a variety of safety measures.
Halogen heaters need to be connected to an electrical outlet to work.
In short, halogen heaters produce radiant heat by burning halogen gas, unlike conventional heating appliances that use conductors or heating rods.
As a result of this technology, Halogen Heaters are the safest type of heater, posing the fewest health concerns compared to oil/fan/ceramic heaters.
How much energy do Halogen Heaters use?
Halogen heaters deliver heat almost instantaneously, and the radiant heat they emit effectively heats a small area, reducing the amount of energy consumed by the heaters.
The energy consumption of a halogen heater is proportional to the power output and the length of time it is used at that power output.
In the United Kingdom, for example, a 1200 Watt halogen heater is the most typical power output.
You can usually operate them at 400, 800, or 1200 watts, while operating the unit at 1200W equates to around 62.4 pence per hour.
Over a four-hour evening, this would be £2.49. if you run an electric heater for a week for the same duration, it will cost £17.43.
If you want to learn about the best way to heat your conservatory, you may want to check out our guide on which electric heater is cheapest to run, you may be surprised to find out that it is not a halogen heater.
Advantages of Halogen heaters
Energy efficient
Halogen heaters give heat almost instantaneously, and the radiant heat they emit effectively heats a limited area around it, this leads to a significant reduction in the amount of energy consumed by the heaters.
Eco-friendly in nature
Because halogen bulbs do not emit smoke, the heaters produce no carbon monoxide emissions which is the main concern in these times of climate change.
These heaters do not emit any smoke, making them not only environmentally friendly but also free of carbon monoxide poisoning.
They emit radiant heat, which heats the objects in their immediate vicinity but not the air. This is great news for folks who are allergic to dust.
Safer to use
Because halogen lamps do not emit heat, they are considered safe in most contexts.
Uncomplicated Installation
The majority of the halogen heaters are less complicated and less time consuming to install than many other types of heating systems.
Disadvantages of Halogen Heaters
Not suitable for larger spaces
Despite the fact that halogen heaters produce radiant energy, they are not the best choice when it comes to heating spaces in large buildings or areas.
Can get expensive
Depending on the type of halogen heater, halogen heaters can be quite expensive to run compared to other forms of heating, especially during the winter months when the heaters must be left on for longer periods of time.
Region specific heating
Halogen heaters only heat the exact regions they are targeting, therefore if a person is slightly removed from that heating area, they will remain cold.
What should halogen heaters be used for?
They’re better at heating specific portions of a room than for heating the entire room. They’re designed to warm persons who are seated directly in front of or near the gadget.
This can be used as a heat source to warm the air space in specific areas of the room rather than the entire space.
What to look for in Halogen Heaters?
The best halogen heaters offer at least two power levels, allowing for temperature and energy consumption flexibility.
Look for a heater that has at least 400 watts of power; this is enough to heat a small to medium-sized room.
If you have a multi-occupant household, oscillation is a key trait to check for.
Oscillation is important when there is more than one person in the space since halogen heaters use radiant heat.
This is due to the fact that halogen heaters do not heat the air; instead, their warmth is predominantly conveyed to the things in front of them. Oscillation isn’t necessary for usage as a personal heater.
It is better to use a Halogen heater that comes with a built-in thermostat to attain more efficiency.
This way you will be saving a lot of energy. Another factor to take into account is the ease with which the bulbs may be replaced.
Some halogen heaters make this a lot easier than others. Replaceable bulbs can lengthen the life of the heater in general, so it’s something to think about.
In some cases, you can go a step further and purchase a heater that includes spare bulbs.
Best Halogen Heater Models in the UK
Igenix IG9514 3 Bar Halogen Heater
The three bar quartz halogen heater is an excellent choice for keeping your home warm throughout the chilly winter months.
Although it is not limited to the home, it may also be used in a conservatory, garage, outbuilding, mobile home, or caravan.
In addition, the heater has three power levels, giving you a larger range of warming options than comparable heaters.
The heat is simply adjustable to your preferences, resulting in a quiet and comforting warmth.
This lightweight appliance, which has an integrated handle, can be positioned anywhere in the house and is not limited to a single location like other heaters.
Specifications:
- Quartz Halogen heater
- 3 Power settings – 400 W / 800 W / 1200 W
- Cool touch cabinet
- Automatic tip-over protection
Fine Elements Oscillating Halogen Heater
Fine Elements’ Oscillating Halogen Heater is both effective and cost-effective.
This one, like most freestanding halogen heaters, includes an oscillation feature and three heat settings.
It also comes with a second cut-out fuse in case the first one blows. It’s also highly portable, and for the price, it produces a lot of heat.
On a chilly winter day, it can be used in a conservatory or just in the living room or bedroom.
Specifications:
- Stable base
- Cut-out fuse (for extra safety)
- Incredibly long tube life
- 3 heat modes: 400 W, 800 W, and 1,200W
Beldray EH0197 Halogen Heater
There are three heat settings on the Beldray EH0197 Halogen Heater: 400W, 800W, and 1,200W.
You may use this halogen heater to spread warmth throughout an entire room thanks to its wide-angle oscillation capability.
This heater is appropriate for rooms with strong insulation but does not possess enough power to heat a large space like a garage or utility room.
Specifications:
- Sufficient heat output, with 3 settings from which to choose
- Wide-angle oscillation feature
- Lightweight (2.2kg), compact build, and a carry handle for easy portability
- Industry-standard safety features
Other models that can also be counted in the top list are:
- Beldray EH0197S2STK Portable Halogen Heater
- Warmlite WL42005N Three Bar Halogen Heater
- Pifco Portable Halogen Heater
- Prolectrix EH0197S Halogen Heater