Warm air is essential for your comfort during the winter months. If you are looking to buy a heater, it might seem easy to pick a ceramic heater or a fan heater.
Ceramic heaters and fan heaters are common types of electric space heating devices.
They each have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss in this post and other useful information.
What is a Ceramic Heater?
A ceramic heater is an appliance that uses electricity to produce heat. The name comes from the material it’s typically made of, a type of non-metallic mineral or porcelain called cordierite (a combination of magnesium and iron silicates).
Cordierite is a very dense ceramic that can withstand high temperatures and retains heat well.
The word “ceramic” could be misleading since cordierite doesn’t contain any porcelain or clay minerals like the materials used to make pottery.
There are two types of heating elements in a ceramic heater.
One is made from metal (like titanium), and another is made from ceramics such as cordierite. Both work by converting electricity into heat energy.
Pros and Cons of Ceramic Heaters
Like any other appliance, ceramic heaters also come with their pros and cons. Check them out below.
Pros of Ceramic Heaters
- Portable & lightweight: Many models are small, compact, and easy to carry around. Some can be easily moved from room to room due to their lightweight design.
- They heat up quickly: Ceramic heating is often more efficient than traditional space heaters because they tend to produce much higher temperatures in a shorter amount of time (especially when compared with non-portable electric oil or kerosene heaters).
- Looks nice: Many ceramic heaters look like pieces of furniture rather than big appliances you would typically find in most homes today. They come in different designs, styles, colors, and sizes to fit any décor nicely without taking too much visual real estate.
- Easy to install: These heaters are often easy to set up, especially if you follow the included instructions.
- Multifunctionality: Some ceramic heaters can also act as an air purifier or ionizer, which means they will not only keep your room warm but will remove germs and pollutants from the air at the same time.
Cons of Ceramic Heaters
- The unit gets extremely hot and can cause burns if you are not careful: The heater does not have any safeguards to prevent it from overheating, which causes the unit to malfunction or even catch on fire.
- Noisy: The fan in the heater is loud and blows out hot air.
- You have to monitor it constantly: You can’t just leave a ceramic heater unattended because if there’s no one around, accidents happen easily with furnaces like these. The device needs careful attention when operating due to its high temperatures.
- Poor insulation around fan blades leads to high noise levels, and the heater must remain unplugged if children or pets are nearby.
- Ceramic heaters can be expensive to run over extended periods, especially in larger homes. The ceramic heating element radiates infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV). While IR is beneficial for providing warmth through direct contact with skin, it may also contribute to cataracts and other eye problems.
What Is a Fan Heater?
A fan heater is a small, portable home appliance placed on your desk or tabletop.
Although they are powerful, their size makes them easy to store away when not in use.
Most models have an adjustable thermostat, so you can choose the heat setting depending on whether it’s cold outside or hot inside.
Fan heaters distribute air quickly, meaning there will be no distinct warm patches where you stand closer to the unit than others standing further back from it.
Pros and Cons of a Fan Heater
Fan heaters also come with their pros and cons. This section will discuss these advantages and disadvantages to help you learn more.
Pros of Fan Heaters
- They are easy to use: all you have to do is plug it in and turn it on.
- They are affordable: Many options can be found under $100, and they come in a range of sizes, so you can find one that will meet your needs.
- They provide instant heat: This means that when you turn them on, the heat will start coming out of the vent immediately.
- They are safe: In general, fan heaters do not get hot to the touch like some other heating units with exposed coils or glass parts.
- They are relatively cheap: You can buy most for under $100, making them suitable if you are on a tight budget.
- There is less maintenance required with other types of heating units.
- Some models come with advanced features, such as timers and remote controls, which function similarly to a standard air conditioner or heater unit. This means that they are useful all year round, not just when the temperature drops below freezing levels.
- They also make great cooling units if placed in an open window during the summer months.
Cons
- Unfortunately, fan heaters are not good for small spaces or spaces with poor air circulation.
- Can’t be used if you have pets that move near the heating source.
- They are noisy: Some models have a feature that allows you to adjust the fan speed, but even on its lowest setting, it can be pretty loud.
- Some of them cause air dryness: Most fan heaters are notorious for causing air dryness, which can be bad for people who have allergies or dry skin.
- Electric bills are higher than for other heating units because they use more electricity to operate properly.
Ceramic Heater vs. Fan Heater – In-depth comparison
Price
A ceramic Heater is more expensive than a fan heater. This is mainly because it is considered a luxury item.
Energy Efficient
Ceramic heaters are more efficient than fan heaters. The coils end up heating the cold air and keeping it warm for longer since hot air stays near them.
While cool air moves away from the heated area to other parts of your home due to temperature differences.
Cost to Run
Ceramic heaters are cheaper than fan heaters to run. They produce more output for less power and do not require constant use, making them great energy savers.
Ceramic heating appliances have greater efficiency in watts per square meter of heating area compared to the fan heater’s performance on the same basis.
This is due to its higher surface temperature of 240°C, while a standard extractor fan can reach only about 70°C at best.
Safety
Fan heaters are generally more dangerous to use since they have exposed heating elements and high surface temperatures, which can cause fires or injuries.
On the other hand, Ceramic heaters have a safe surface temperature of about 100°C and are safer to use.
In addition, they do not require any installation or maintenance costs which would make them an economical choice for heating homes in cold climates if your budget is limited.
Portability
When it comes to portability between these two types of heaters, a fan heater is more portable since it doesn’t have to be fixed in place and can be carried from room to room as needed.
On the other hand, a ceramic heater is fixed in one room and cannot be easily moved around.
Control Features
Fan heaters offer more control features compared to ceramic heaters. You can adjust the direction of airflow, heating levels, fan speed, and other factors on a fan heater, which is impossible with these appliances due to their fixed nature.
However, they have an integrated thermostat that automatically regulates the room temperature by switching off when it has reached its desired level.
Or turning back on again once there’s a drop in temperatures means you don’t need to monitor the appliance for efficiency purposes constantly.
Quietness
In terms of quietness, fan heaters are the clear winner since ceramic heating appliances make a bit of noise during operation due to their exposed coils.
The fan blades also create a gentle whirring sound that can distract some people in smaller rooms, but it is not too loud.
What Is the Best Ceramic Heater?
Lasko 755320 Ceramic Space Tower Heater
- ✅【2 QUIET SETTINGS】 This electric space heater features 2 quiet heat settings (high heat and low heat), plus an adjustable thermostat that will maintain the temperature in the room. The optional widespread oscillation feature on this heater evenly distributes warm air throughout the room.Cord Length: 6'.
- ✅【REMOTE CONTROL】 Use the multi-function remote control to turn the heater on/off, set the timer, turn the oscillation on/off or adjust the thermostat. For an added convenience, there is storage for the remote control on the back of the heater so it won't get lost.
- ✅【ADJUSTABLE TIMER】This tower space heater features an auto-off timer function. Set the timer from 1-8 hours (in 1-hour increments) and the heater will automatically turn off after the selected timer.
- ✅【BUILT-IN SAFETY FEATURES】 Overheat protection ensures the space heater does not overheat even if left on for an extended amount of time. While a cool touch exterior keeps the heater cool to the touch even after running for hours. This heater is ETL listed for added safety.
- ✅【FULLY ASSEMBLED】Comes fully assembled and ready to use, just take the heater out of the box and have it working it minutes. Simply plug the heater into a wall outlet, adjust the thermostat, and enjoy the warmth from your new Lasko space heater. This space heater stands 23" high and 7 inches wide and weights only 7.29 pounds. The lightweight design and the built-in carry handle makes it easy to move from room to room.
Pros
- It comes with two quiet settings – This heater includes high heat and low heat plus an auto setting that makes it suitable for warming up an area in your home or office.
- Adjustable thermostat – It has a digital display that allows you to adjust the heater’s 1500-watt ceramic heating element.
- Heat output – This heater offers the best heat output to provide an ideal and comfortable environment in your space.
Cons
- It gets very hot to the touch.
- It doesn’t turn off if it falls or gets tipped over
- The blower might encounter issues after using for a while
Get cozy with this Lasko Remote Control Ceramic Tower Heater. You can use it in many rooms of your home, and it has a digital display, so you know the temperature.
The powerful air penetration and broad oscillation ensure that the room is adequately heated.
The carry handle is very easy to use. It makes it possible to move the vacuum cleaner around your house.
This heater’s digital controls, programmable thermostat, and 8-hour timer make it simple to keep warm.
What Is the Best Fan Heater?
Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater
- HEAT DIFFERENTLY — Gently heat all in the air in a small to medium-sized room through vortex air circulation without using intense heat, similar to how a forced air furnace works, just on a smaller scale.
- AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL — Intelligently senses how much heat and circulation is needed to maintain set temperature, and makes adjustments automatically so you don't have to.High Heat Amps:12.5
- HEAT EFFICIENTLY — 2 quiet heat settings (Low/750W, High/1500W) and a fan only option to tailor heat output and energy consumption.
- HEAT SAFELY — Advanced safety features include a cool-touch exterior, tip-over protection, and an automatic safety shut-off system for worry-free use.
- SUPERIOR SUPPORT — Backed by a 5-year hassle-free and supported by a customer service team based in Andover, KS. Heat Regulation: Adjustable Thermistor
- Built to meet U. S. voltage requirements. Certified, safety-tested, and warrantied for use only in the U. S.
Pros
- Easy to use – The good thing about the Vornado AVH10 Vortex heater is that it’s quite easy to use and comes with excellent safety features.
- It has an integrated carrying handle that is conveniently located to offer easy portability.
- Hidden cord storage – For added convenience, this heater features hidden cord storage where you can safely store excess cord on the bottom.
- It offers consistent comfort – The heater senses how much heat and circulation is needed to maintain your ideal temperature and automatically adjusts.
Cons
- The heater may emit a burning plastic smell when using it
- It gets hot to the touch
- Durability is a major concern with this heater
The Vornado AVH10 is one of Vornado’s next-generation whole room heaters. The outer appearance suggests a more advanced design on the inside, with Auto Climate Control to automatically adjust and maintain a balanced room temperature.
The AVH10 generates a swirling current of air that circulates the heat throughout the entire space via walls and ceilings as pathways, utilizing specially developed airflow called “Vortex Action.”
Choose your level of comfort by using the LED screen and push-button controls to pick the desired room temperature, then choose between the 2 heat settings (plus a Fan Only option) to control energy usage between Low (750W) and High (1500W).
Which One Should You Choose – Fan Heater or Ceramic Heater?
This is a common question that many people ask. However, when some people look for the best way to heat their home, they will choose cost-effectiveness.
You’ve also seen that both of these heaters have their pros and cons. That’s why it is best to consider your needs. And how you plan on using the heater more than anything else. If it meets the requirements, choose that one.
Both of these types of heaters can be used in many different scenarios depending on what type of heating you want or need for your home or office space.
Both of these types of heaters are versatile enough to meet most people’s expectations. But again, please keep in mind if you have allergies, this may not be a good choice for you.
This is because some ceramic heaters emit particles into the air that could cause an allergic reaction, especially with those who suffer from respiratory problems such as asthma.
Although both offer their benefits, no doubt choosing between them will also depend on personal preferences because each has its pros and cons.
Both are exceptional types of heating systems, but each has its own set of features like all other products out there.
Regardless of whether good or bad, do yourself a favor by considering well what kind of environment will suit either type better.
In terms of safety and health concerns, both could pose some risks when used without proper consideration.
Conclusion
Ceramic heaters are an excellent option for heating an area because you can use them to target specific areas and warm them up quickly.
They also tend to be less expensive than other types of heaters, which makes them very cost-effective.
On the other hand, fan heaters provide quick warmth in multiple directions but do not have the same level of control as ceramic models when it comes to temperature or safety features.
Fan heaters also come at lower costs, making them a good choice if you’re looking to save some money on your heating bill while still achieving comfort in your home during cold weather.
I hope this post has offered you helpful information. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us through email, and we will be happy to help.