Electric heaters, recommendations

[FollySteve]

I have two oil filled radiator type that are pushing 20 years old and still going strong. I haven't bought a new space heater in a long time so I'm out of touch with newest models. But for what it's worth, my general experience is that the oil radiators are the way to go as a continuous heat source. Silent and steady heat. And the convection currents they establish spread the heat pretty well. They do need some floor space so might not be too practical in an airstream.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by rbs

Prices range from $200 - $400, bargain being refurbished. I like the evenly distributed heat, but some reviewers claim the unit to be "noisy". Anyone know what the recall was for, purchased a refurbished model, and do you consider them noisy?? I do like the size of the unit and the features.
Thanks

We had one new and two refurbished Dysons because we also use them at home. The recall was for a possible internal wiring short. We took them all to UPS who packaged and shipped them on Dyson's dollar, Dyson then sent us three brand new Dysons as replacement. Woot.com just had a sale on refurbished Dyson Hot for $150; that's how we got two of ours originally and they looked and worked like new.

The fan makes fan noise, which isn't much. You can select many fan speeds, the desired temperature, on/off, or an oscillating feature as needed with a handy little remote control. We set ours in the front of the Airstream at night sending heat back through the entire trailer including our bedroom. I don't hear it at night and the heat is even throughout the trailer.

[handn]

Originally Posted by LiLNomad

I just got one of the Broan Nutone 6201 heaters. Im still testing it out and comparing it with my Walmart cheapie heater. I like that the Broan is really small, light and blows really hot...has gotten good reviews from other rv'ers.
Amazon.com - Broan-NuTone (6201) Big Heat Heater -
LilNomad

This is what I use. The Broan is small, metal, reasonably quiet and puts out as much heat as any 1500 watt heater. The price will not break the bank.

[r carl]

My electric oil filled radiator works great, but its kinda heavy and awkward to move around.

[dkottum]

We bought the Broan mentioned in post #22 by handn in our VW Camper days. Nice extremely compact and durable metal case. The fan gave out the first year but Broan sent us a new heater to replace it. We still have it, now use the Dyson for better heat distribution and regulation.

[rbs]

Thanks for the heads up on "Woot". Signed up and low and behold, they offered a Dyson for the $150 purchase price and only $5 shipping. Waiting on it's arrival, and will give a report after some use. Again, thanks for turning me on to Woot.

[Lucky Tom]

For the front bed Flying Cloud I use a 4 foot baseboard heater attached to the floor next to the wall, just like you would use it at home. It has a built-in thermostat which I had to order it as an add-on. Totally quiet. And here is another I found on Amazon, but I did not see it when I purchased mine at Home Depot. Fahrenheat FBE15002 Dual Wattage Electric 5120 BTU Baseboard Heater, 1500/1000-watt #energyEfficiencyTitleInformation { font-size: 19px !important;}
by Fahrenheat

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, this is the one; Virtually no noise, no fans, no red glow, no air depletion, not square, not large, and not expensive either.

[dkottum]

Tried it, no air circulation.

[TinTin]

Factory reconditioned Dyson AM04 Hot and Cool Fans are on WOOT today if you hurry. 149.99, 5.00 shipping. 13 hours left as of 10:00 AM MST

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by TinTin

There are many good quality space heaters available. Units with fans are the most efficient in moving the heat around. Insure that your heater has UL approval, a tip-over sensor and shutoff, and a case that protects young fingers...

Our Airstream trailer's furnace and heat pump are way too noisy and inefficient for us.

We have been very pleased with the Vornado AVH2 Whole Room Vortex Heater for the past several years.

It is efficient, quiet and cool to the touch while moving warmed air around throughout our trailer.

Note: Accumulated dust and dog hairs can set off the smoke detector when first turning on the heater. So we have learned to turn on the rear Fan-Tastic [exhaust] Fan for a minute while we hold and turn on the heater towards the fan. After about 30 seconds, the burnt dust and hair smell is gone and the heater is good to go!

See how we used it in "A desert homecoming" two weeks ago.

The video below shows how the Vornado Vortex Heater can heat an entire room without using intense heat and remain cool to the touch.

Vornado Whole Room Vortex Heater

[pmclemore]

another vote for the Vornado. We use it in our sunroom when not camping in cool weather.

Pat

[SilverGate]

Vornado AVH2 Vortex Heater

[Phoenix]

Another happy Vornado user. Fan is quiet and thermostat works great.

[KYAirstream]

I've looked at these in the past and have wondered what the Vornado does differently than a much less expensive ceramic unit? Is the method for distributing heat that much better?

[Phoenix]

Most Vornado models use a nearly silent fan that gently circulates slightly warm air, as opposed to regular space heaters that have noisy fans that intermittently blast hot air. The Vornado quietly spreads heat throughout a room without creating hot/cold areas and strong drafts.

We use the air conditioner heat strip (we don't have the heat pump model) and/or the propane furnace to heat our Bambi up fast, then use the Vornado to maintain a comfortable temperature.

The low setting (750 watts) and appropriate thermostat setting will maintain 60-70 degrees on nights when the outside temperature dips to freezing. However, below 35 degrees, some additional heat (from the furnace or air conditioner/heat pump) may need to be added, occasionally, if you like interior temps of 70-75.

Our Vornado allows us to maintain a comfortable temperature inside without the intermittent noise of the air conditioner or furnace blower turning on.

[KYAirstream]

I may have to give the Vornado a try. Right now I use two of the 1500 watt ceramic heaters (one at the front and one at the rear), and they do a good job of keeping things warm. However, the heat they put out often feels too hot. It sounds like this may be where the Vornado excels.

[KYAirstream]

Do you find the Vornados with a digital thermostat do a good job of maintaining an accurate temp, or do you find the temp reading may be off due to the unit sitting on the floor?

[Phoenix]

We have a Vornado model where the thermostat has numbers ranging from 1 to 7. After a little experimenting, we found that a setting of 2 keeps the temperature around 65 degrees and 2-1/2 equals about 70, as measured by the electronic thermometer in our wall clock.

The Vornado works better on the floor, because heat rises. When running, it draws in cold air from the floor and spreads warm air across the room.

If you place the unit on the table or counter, the area near the floor remains chilly.

By using only the low (750 watt) setting on the Vornado, we can also run the air conditioner heat strip, or microwave, or Bunn coffee brewer (similar to Keurig) at the same time as the heater. However, ALL of these devices can NOT be run simultaneously; as the load will exceed 30 amps.

[carver 1]

Great article and rating in the current Consumer Reports on space heaters

>>ron<<