Yogendra Rai
Discover the ultimate guide on which room heater is best for health. Make informed choices for a cozy, wellness-focused home. Find your ideal heater now!
Table of Contents
The best type of room heater for health is a matter of debate. According to some sources, oil-filled room heaters are the best in terms of health, as they do not modify the humidity and oxygen levels, leading to a comfortable and healthy experience.
It’s important to note that the best type of room heater for health depends on various factors such as the size of the room, the number of people in the room, the climate, and the user’s personal preferences.
In this harsh winter, the warmth of the room heater is no less than a comfort.
But, whenever you are enjoying this relaxing moment, this question must be arising in your mind, is my room heater good for my health? Can it harm my health?
In this article, we will find answers to these questions.
So… first of all, let us know what are the features of various types of room heaters available in the market and we will also learn what kind of drawbacks they have which can have a negative impact on our health.
Infrared Heaters
These are also called radiant heaters. Such heaters increase the temperature of the room by heating the surrounding objects through infrared radiation.
Pros: Infrared Heaters
- They are perfect for heating small-sized rooms because they heat small-sized rooms quickly.
- They provide instant heat and are energy efficient.
Cons: Infrared Heaters
- Infrared heaters are not able to heat a large room properly, that is, they provide heating only around the area where the heater is placed and the heating does not reach evenly in other corners of the room.
- These can harm the eyes, so one should not stare at the heating elements continuously.
Fan Heaters
These are also called convection air blowers. These types of heaters have a heating element as well as a fan that expels the hot air and heats the room air.
Pros: Fan Heaters
- Provides fast heating.
- If you are using a fan heater with a PTC heating element, then it does not burn the oxygen present in the room.
- These allow hot air to come out, hence they are perfect for large-sized rooms and provide even heating in all corners of the room.
Cons: Fan Heaters
- Continuous circulation of air can reduce the moisture in the room environment, which can cause many health problems.
- Since fan heaters have a fan installed, some models of these heaters also make noise.
Oil Filled Heaters
Pros: Oil Filled Heaters
- This oil filled in the fins remains hot for a long time, the advantage of which is that even if we switch off the heater, it continues to provide warmth in the room for one and a half hours.
- No sound comes out when they move.
- There is no decrease in moisture in the room environment, hence there is no skin and respiratory problem due to dry air.
Cons: Oil Filled Heaters
- It takes more time to heat the room.
- High power consumption.
What features should health-friendly room heaters have?
Thermostat and Temperature Control
Maintaining a consistent temperature is important for both comfort and health. Nowadays, room heaters come with the feature of a thermostat. With the help of this feature, you can set the temperature of the room heater as per your wish, due to which the heater maintains constant warmth in your room.
Another advantage of this feature is that it reduces power consumption and reduces electricity bills.
Air Purification Technology
Imagine a room heater that not only warms your room but also cleans the air in the room. Some models come with air purification technology, with filters to capture dust, allergens, and other particles. These features can prove to be very useful for people with breathing problems or allergies.
Low Noise Level
You may not be bothered by the very low sound of a room heater, but excessive noise can take away your peace. While buying a heater, its noise level must be considered especially when you are buying it for your bedroom or any silent place.
Safety Features
While buying a heater, you should pay maximum attention to the safety features. Some of the notable safety features are: overheat protection and a tip-over switch.
Overheat protection switches off the heater if it gets too hot. Similarly, in case the heater tilts or falls, the tip-over switch switches off the heater. If you have small children or pets, these types of safety features are very useful.
- The body of the heater should be made of material which is inflammable i.e. which cannot catch fire.
- There should be a grill made of good material in front of the heater so that even by mistake one can avoid touching the heating element.
- It should be ISI-marked.
Potential Health Risks Associated with Room Heaters
Dry Air and Skin Irritation
Infrared heaters and fan heaters reduce or eliminate the amount of moisture present in room air. Therefore
- It also makes our skin dry and rough. If your skin is sensitive, it may become red and itchy.✓1Reputed Health Website, thehealthsite.com, Go to source
- Apart from this, nasal blockage occurs. ✓2Reputed Health Website, thehealthline.com, Go to source✓3Reputed Website, thespruce.com, Go to source
- The dryness of the air present in the room causes dryness in the nose, throat, or eyes.
Solution:
- A humidifier can be used to maintain the moisture level in the room environment.
- Keep a small bowl filled with water anywhere in the room. Make sure that it is kept at a safe distance from the heater or electrical switch.
- You should take an adequate liquid diet or drink water and apply moisturizer cream on your skin.
Allergy problem
Room heaters, especially those with filters, can accumulate dust and allergy-causing particles over time. This problem can be minimized by cleaning or replacing filters as recommended by manufacturers, as well as regular maintenance. You should choose heaters with features that block allergy-causing elements, also contributing to maintaining a healthy environment indoors.
Oxygen burning and humidity level
It has been found that infrared and some fan heaters burn the oxygen present in the room air, which can cause you to feel a little suffocated.
Fan heaters and infrared heaters burn the oxygen present in the room’s atmosphere, thus reducing the amount of oxygen. because of which
- Insomnia,
- nausea and
- Symptoms like headache may emerge.
The solution to this is that you should not close the room completely, but keep the window slightly open so that the flow of fresh air continues and the oxygen level remains maintained.
This problem of oxygen burning and reduction in humidity does not occur in oil-filled heaters and also does not occur in those fan heaters that have PTC heating elements.
Damage to Eyes
Infrared heaters can cause eye damage so one should not stare at their heating elements continuously. ✓4Reputed Research Organisation, HPS, Go to source✓5Reputed Government Organisation, PubMed, Go to source✓6Reputed Website, Ducoterra, Go to source
Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide
When gas heaters (LPG heaters) are used, they increase levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in the home compared to outdoor air. Even small amounts of NO2 for a very short period of time can cause problems for our respiratory system.
Excessive amounts of CO can cause dizziness, headache, and fatigue.
Children living in homes using LPG heaters have a higher incidence of asthma and are prone to coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and lung damage.
Carbon monoxide released from these heaters especially affects small children and the elderly. LPG gas heaters are a new concept here but are known to release harmful gases and chemicals into the atmosphere. ✓7Reputed Government Organisation , EPA, Go to source
To avoid this, do not close the room completely, but keep the window slightly open and use an exhaust fan so that fresh air flows and the oxygen level remains maintained.
Body Temperature Fluctuations
We like to sit in a warm room but as soon as we come out of it, we suddenly feel cold. That means we feel sudden fluctuations in temperature in our bodies. This frequent sudden change in temperature can weaken our body’s immune system, causing us to fall ill.
Which Room Heater is Best for Health
Oil-filled room heaters are considered to be safe and beneficial room heaters for health.
In these heaters, there is neither a fan nor a rod but is filled with diathermic oil. It consists of hollow metal columns or pipes, which are connected to each other – these are called fins. They are filled with a special type of oil which is sealed. This hot oil flows through all the fins due to which heat spreads in the room.
- They do not reduce the amount of moisture present in the air in the room and, hence do not cause any health-related problems.
- There is no heating element in it, rather heating takes place due to the heating of oil, hence the oxygen present in the atmosphere of the room does not get burnt.
- Since oil-filled room heaters do not reduce the moisture content of the room air, they also keep our skin from becoming dry and rough.
- Gets relief from the problem of dryness in the nose, throat, or eyes.
- These are safe for children and pets as the surface of the oil-filled room heater will not get hot.
- Lasts longer than other heaters.
Note: There is no need to fill oil in it. The filled oil is heated repeatedly and continues to be used.
Friends, we hope that you have got the answers to the questions arising in your mind. Apart from this, if you have any other questions then you can ask in the comments.
FAQ: Which type of Room Heater is Good for Health
Which room heater is not harmful?
Oil-filled room heaters because they do not burn oxygen and neither reduce moisture.
Is using room heater good for health?
Room heaters are beneficial for our health provided they are used carefully.
Which type heater is best for room?
One of the most energy-efficient solutions on the market is an oil-filled heater, which consumes the least power.
What is the safest way to heat a room?
Among the most effective and secure heating options are electric heaters, baseboard heaters, and other electric heating appliances. Electric heating systems are precise, operating only when necessary, and are often managed by thermostats placed in each room.
What are the disadvantages of oil-filled room heaters?
Oil-filled room heaters take some time to heat the room, expensive and bulky in size.
What are the advantages of oil-filled room heaters?
Oil-filled room heaters are ideal for large spaces and are energy efficient. They produce no dry air and zero noise.
Read also: Safety Tips To Follow While Using A Room Heater
Read also: Best Room Heater in India
Sources
- 1Reputed Health Website, thehealthsite.com, Go to source
- 2Reputed Health Website, thehealthline.com, Go to source
- 3Reputed Website, thespruce.com, Go to source
- 4Reputed Research Organisation, HPS, Go to source
- 5Reputed Government Organisation, PubMed, Go to source
- 6Reputed Website, Ducoterra, Go to source
- 7Reputed Government Organisation , EPA, Go to source
