How fans can help to heat homes, not just cool them down

Those struggling to heat their homes on a shoe-string can make their heater more effective thanks to a simple trick.

The eco design adviser who previously promoted pointing a fan out the window as the best way to cool down a house in summer, says just because it’s winter doesn’t mean that fan can’t still come in handy.

Nelson Lebo, who works for a city council, said oscillating tower fan heaters were the best and fastest type of heater because they could heat a room the quickest. But they could also cost anywhere from $200 to $500.

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For those who don’t have the cash, Lebo said placing a fan next to a fin oil heater would do the job nicely. The key was to position the fan above the heater on a table or chair, therefore mimicking the effect of an oscillating tower fan heater.

“You can use what you already have to create a better heater.

“What it will be doing is moving the warm air from being right next to the heater to out into the room.”

Lebo said the problem with oil fin heaters and panel heaters was the heat rises to the ceiling and it could take up to half an hour to drop down into the room.

By using a fan, the heat is distributed around the room immediately, and the cold air is continually heated then pushed out by the heater.

Lebo said heat pumps were the most efficient heat source, as they produce three units of heat to every unit of power they use. In contrast, heaters produced the same amount of heat as energy used.

Getting rid of internal moisture was the most important measure for keeping warm indoors. Although many find the task annoying, wiping condensation off windows each day before using a heater was essential.

“During the day the water evaporates, then it creates condensation … you’re recycling the same water one day to the next.

“If you have a higher indoor humidity, it will just feel colder and you’ll have a less comfortable home.”

When possible, Lebo said it was best to air clothes outside and to get into the habit of airing rooms regularly to remove moisture.

Palmerston North Fire station fire risk management officer Kerry O’Keefe said confirmed the heater and fan combo was safe. However, he said it was always best to keep an item at least a metre away from any heat source.

“There’s no real issue with oil heaters because there’s no naked flame.”

• This story originally appeared on stuff.co.nz