Electric Fire

Convector heaters

These type of heater are particularly useful in areas where constant warmth is required, such as sickroom, baby’s bedroom or hall. They avoid the risk of burning or fire due to direct concentrated heat, associated with a red-hot bar type of heater; but for safety they should not be installed in bathrooms, airing cupboards or greenhouse where conditions are damp – unless the heater is specifially designed for these conditions. Never place clothing on or near the hot air vent to aid drying; this can lead overheating and eventual element failure. It is the best to choose a model with a built-in thermostat since this provides control over the amount of heat given and regulates a steady and constant temperature over the required area to give efficiency in terms of comfort and cost. Parts for most convector heaters are available from the manufacturer by post, together with instructions for fitting them; this is usually the best way of obtaining spares since not many heaters are identical and elements and thermostats are made and preset to suit a particular model.

Radiant heaters
These type of electric fires come in many shapes, sizes and designs and with two types of element-pencil-bar and silica-glass tube. Pencil-bar are the traditional fire elements. Elements wire is closely wount along a length of fireclay bar with either wire-round connections round a nut and bolt fixing to the internal wiring or, more commonly, caps on each end with built in terminal connections. Pencil bar are very reliable and strong, but can take time to give a red glow.

Fan heaters

It is important the inside of a fan heater is kept free from dust and fluff; besides increasing the risk of fire, a build-up of this type of materials can fine its way into the motor and these bearings, causing the motor to slow down and possibly fail. A slowly running motor will cause the element to overheat and overload cut-out to operate so the heater will not function.