10 best energy efficient and power saving heaters
Cut your energy consumption and lower your bills with these efficient heaters.
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Freeze! Did you know that heating and cooling make up 20 to 50 per cent of the total energy used in Aussie homes, according to Energy.gov.au?
And there’s only so much warmth weighted blankets can provide before we need to plug in our trusty heater.
RELATED: Top electric heaters to keep warm
RELATED: Best portable heaters to buy this winter
While heaters are a winter appliance, it's never too early to buy a new heater, especially when your unit can double as a cooler. The highly lusted-over bladeless Dyson purifying fan heater for $999 is just one example, offering year-round comfort as well as a purifying function to keep the air in your home clean. If you're looking for a Dyson deal this winter, we've got our eye on the Dyson Hot+Cool™ Jet Focus now down to $448 (from $649)
Another top pick we're loving is the De'Longhi Tower Fan, an ideal option for anyone wanting a quiet performer for the bedroom, now down to $149 (from $219.99).
And don’t forget to check out our tips below on what to look for when shopping for your next heater.
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OUR TOP PICKS
BEST BUDGET ENERGY EFFICIENT HEATERS
De’Longhi Tower Fan Heater (HFX65V20), $149 (down from $219.99) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
The De’Longhi Tower Fan Heater is a quiet performer, boasting a Silence System to ensure it operates with minimal noise.
It uses ceramic technology to “self-regulate” by adjusting how much energy it uses, based on the temperature. So, the closer the room temperature is compared to your desired temperature, the less electricity (and money) it will end up using.
This portable heater is a good option if you only need something to keep you warm at your desk, since it’s great at spreading heat in a particular direction. This way, there’s no need to waste energy heating an entire room when you only need it in one spot.
Heller Ceramic Fan Heater (HCFH1500B), $79 at Betta
What You Need To Know
Heller’s portable heater is another budget-friendly way to warm up this winter, featuring two heat settings (750W and 1500W), a ceramic heating element and a quiet DC motor.
Most online reviews suggest it’s good bang for buck, especially for small rooms.
“A solid little heater that does a great job at heating my small bedroom. It comes with a setting to use just the fan, so it can be used as a basic fan in hot weather too,” a reviewer wrote.
Kambrook 2400W Upright Fan Heater (KFH770GRY), $99 at The Good Guys
Kambrook 2400W Upright Fan Heater (KFH770GRY)
What You Need To Know
The Kambrook 2400W Upright Fan Heater is a powerful and portable heater designed to quickly warm medium to large rooms. It features two heat settings and a fan-only mode for year-round use.
The built-in safety features include an automatic shut-off if the heater is tipped over, and an oscillating function for safer and more even heating, which means the heater gently rotates from side to side, helping to distribute warm air more evenly across the room, instead of just blowing it in one direction. Its compact design also makes it easy to move and store away when not in use plus, you have the option to stand it up right or lay it horizontally.
BEST ENERGY EFFICIENT HEATER FOR EXTENDED PERIODS
De'Longhi 2400W Dragon 4 Oil Column Heater with Timer (TRD42400MT), $369 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
“Ready, set and go” is one way to describe this De’Longhi 11-fin oil column heater, thanks to the adjustable room thermostat that automatically maintains your desired temperature.
The electric heater has three heat settings, along with a 24-hour timer and snap-lock castor wheels for convenience.
Dimplex 1.5kW Oil Free Column Heater w/Turbo Fan (ECR15FA), $169 at The Good Guys
Dimplex 1500W Portable Oil Free Column Heater (ECR15FA)
What You Need To Know
This Dimplex oil-free column heater has a radiator design that supposedly makes it 30 per cent more energy efficient than other traditional oil heaters from the brand.
Regular oil-filled models can take a long time to warm up since it first needs to wait for the oil to reach the right temperature. But this unit is designed to use less energy by immediately converting electricity into heat, resulting in a shorter heat-up time.
Plus, as a safety bonus, this oil-free heater doesn’t contain a flammable substance (i.e. oil).
Dyson Hot+Cool™ Jet Focus fan heater, $448 (down from $649) at Dyson
What You Need To Know
The Dyson Hot+Cool™ Jet Focus fan heater delivers powerful heating and cooling in one sleek, bladeless design. Ideal for year-round use, it features specialized technology that provides an uninterrupted stream of smooth airflow. You can easily switch between two modes: focused mode for a powerful, direct stream of air aimed at one spot (perfect for quickly warming or cooling yourself), or diffused mode for a wider, more gentle airflow that evenly heats or cools the entire room. Whether it's warming in winter or cooling in summer, the Dyson adapts to your needs.
With no fast-spinning blades or large moving parts, it’s safe, easy to clean, and built with automatic safety features like auto shut-off if tipped over. Designed with convenience, comfort, and style in mind, it also features a slim, lightweight build and a curved, magnetised remote control for easy storage and use.
BEST ENERGY EFFICIENT GAS HEATERS
Rinnai Avenger 25 Convector Heater (AV25SN3), $1983 (down from $2688) at Appliances Online
Rinnai Avenger 25 Convector Heater (AV25SN3)
What You Need To Know
For an efficient gas heater, Rinnai is one of the brands to check out. Unflued units like the Rinnai Avenger 25 Convector Heater are also typically cheaper to run than gas flued heaters. This portable gas heater has a 5.8-star energy efficiency rating plus several convenient features, including adjustable temperature settings, an eco-mode and a programmable timer.
“We had a Rinnai Granada for 25 years and decided on getting the Rinnai Avenger as a replacement. We certainly weren’t let down as it’s a step up on our trusted old heater. Heats our open plan house within minutes, operating quietly and efficiently. More versatile too as you can adjust the temperature better too,” praised a reviewer.
BEST REVERSE CYCLE AIR CONDITIONERS FOR HEATING
Panasonic C8.0kW H9.0kW Reverse Cycle Split System and Air Purifier, $2799
Panasonic C8.0kW H9.0kW Reverse Cycle Split System and Air Purifier (CS/CU-Z80YKR)
What You Need To Know
The Panasonic C8.0kW H9.0kW Reverse Cycle Split System and Air Purifier (CS/CU-Z80YKR) is designed for larger spaces over 55 square metres and offers a 5-star energy efficiency rating for heating. It features advanced air purification technology, which is said to actively remove up to 99% of airborne viruses, bacteria, allergens, and mould even while in standby mode. Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to control the unit via smartphone apps or voice commands through Google Assistant and Alexa. During winter, you can take full advantage of its powerful 9kW heating capacity to keep your home comfortably warm.
Westinghouse C2.7kW H3.5kW Reverse Cycle Split System (WSD27HWA), $899 at The Good Guys
Westinghouse C2.7kW H3.5kW Reverse Cycle Split SystemWSD27HWA
What You Need To Know
Stay comfortable all year round with the Westinghouse C2.7kW H3.5kW Reverse Cycle Split System (WSD27HWA), $899 at The Good Guys, offering powerful cooling and heating for smaller to medium-sized rooms, delivering a 7-star energy rating for cooling and a 3-star rating for heating. It is designed with inverter technology, which keeps noise levels at just 38 decibels, and built-in Wifi connectivity for easy control even when you are not home. Plus, it features a HEPA, dust, and ion filtration system that helps keep your home's air clean and fresh. Overall, a smart choice for efficient climate control at an affordable price.
BEST PURIFIER FAN HEATERS
Dyson Hot Cool Purifying Fan Heater, $999 at Myer
What You Need To Know
Don't want to install a split system air conditioner? A heater fan like this bladeless Dyson fan is a great alternative to staying both warm and cool all year round. Purifying models like these are also handy for keeping the air in your room clean, with this particular model containing a HEPA H13 filter and activated carbon filtration to get rid of gases and 99.95 per cent of pollution.
You can also expect a Diffused mode for when you don't need a heater or cooler, plus voice control and the ability to control the fan from your smartphone (via the Dyson app).
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST ENERGY EFFICIENT HEATER
Here are a few energy saving features to look out for when finding the best energy efficient heater for your home.
- Energy rating: The more stars, the more energy efficient the heater will be. But not all heaters are required to have a rating displayed, so you may have to look at the power saving features on the model instead.
- Size: The watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) listed shows how strong your heater will be. Generally, you will only need a more powerful model if you live in a particularly cold climate or plan on using it in a large open space. It’s important to buy the right size heater because the harder it needs to work to reach the set temperature, the more electricity the appliance will end up using.
- Type of heater: Certain types of heaters are better suited for personal heating rather than for warming up entire rooms, while others are more cost-effective if they run for longer periods.
- Thermostat: Use the thermostat function to maintain the set temperature and prevent it from fluctuating. According to Energy.gov.au, a temperature increase of just one degree Celsius can add up to 10 per cent to your energy usage.
- Timer: Most portable heaters have a timer function that lets you schedule when you want to use the heater, so you don’t need to worry about turning it off before bed.
- Cost: Less energy efficient heaters are usually cheaper upfront, so you will need to decide if you’re willing to fork out extra at the store in exchange for a pricier model that’s potentially much cheaper to use over time.
HOW WE CHOOSE HEATERS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHICH TYPE OF HEATER IS THE CHEAPEST TO RUN?
According to Canstar Blue, oil heaters and ceramics typically use the least amount of energy and are the cheapest to run compared to other electric heaters. Although it seems any electric heater seems to be the way to go, with the comparison site reporting they can add between $104 and $210 to your power bill while gas heaters can set you back up to $338 during winter.
WHICH TYPE OF HEATER IS THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT?
To find out which type of heater consumes the least electricity, you’ll need to consider how you’re planning on using the appliance. Here’s a quick breakdown on what different units are best suited to:
Convector heaters
Convection heaters are great for warming an entire room for a long period of time.
Oil column heaters
Oil column heaters are ideal for people who prefer to leave their heater on overnight or for an extended period of time (i.e. longer than three hours) because they’re great at heating an entire room and staying warm after it’s been switched off. Some believe this is the cheapest type of heater to buy and run since it doesn’t need to power a fan to circulate heat, but they can take longer to warm up (which uses more energy and money).
Ceramic heaters
Typically small and lightweight, this is the best option if you want to keep a heater nearby for spot heating. Ceramic heaters also don’t use too much electricity since they get warm fast, but they don’t retain heat well so you might get cold a few minutes after turning it off.
Tower heaters
Tower heaters usually come with a bunch of customisable settings, giving you more control over your energy usage. These are better suited for small rooms.
Fan heaters
Fan heaters heat up quickly and are best suited for spot heating. But not all models are energy efficient and can be pricey to use, especially if you plan on leaving it on for a while.
Gas heaters
Gas heaters heat up quickly and are powerful enough to warm an entire apartment and open shared spaces. But they need to be professionally installed and serviced every two years, and bring potential safety risks.
Reverse cycle split system air conditioner
Reverse cycle air conditioners are a great investment because they usually come with an energy efficiency rating, along with several power saving features. Plus, they can be used to heat and cool throughout the year!
Want to find the best oil column heaters and the best electric fireplaces? Check out our guides to see what else is out there, including the best electric heaters, best portable heaters, best outdoor heaters and best electric blankets.
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