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Using Heaters Responsibly
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Introduction:
There is a wide range of personal heater types and models in use at UNSW. Over time the aim is to replace the inefficient or potentially dangerous heaters with energy efficient, effective and relatively safe models. Meanwhile there are a few simple things everyone can do to improve the performance of their present heater:
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Dress sensibly for winter:
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Use Thermostats:
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Don't overheat the room:
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Don't use convection heaters in large spaces:
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Only use compact radiant panel heaters/mats in A/C spaces:
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Turn your heater off when unattended:
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Use the overhead fan (if there is one):
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Respect heater clearances:
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Report broken/faulty windows and doors:
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Balance range and power with radiant panel heaters:
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| 1.
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Dress sensibly for winter:
Aim for a balance between dressing stylishly with minimal bulky clothing and helping to improve energy use and reducing your workplace carbon footprint. Try to meet your personal needs and those of the world halfway. Read our simple tips for coping with the few cold months a year that Sydney experiences.
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| 2.
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Use Thermostats:
Oil heaters, other convection heaters and fan heaters all work by trying to heat the surrounding air. Please make sure they are thermostatically controlled so that they turn off when the target temperature is reached. If they do not have a thermostat then please take part in the heater swap programme.
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| 3.
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Don't overheat the room:
Set the thermostat to the lowest setting that will provide comfort when sensibly dressed and sitting at your desk. If you have to turn the thermostat to its highest setting to get any comfort then you have the wrong heater type for the workspace. Swap the heater for a radiant panel heater.
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| 4.
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Don't use convection heaters in large spaces:
Oil heaters, fan heaters etc are not suitable for large offices, open plan areas, reception areas, foyers and spaces with tall ceilings. The warm air produced by these heaters rises up to the ceiling or
otherwise moves away from the user's workstation. Convection type heaters will remain at full power for long periods because they cannot heat the surrounding air enough to trip their thermostat. Swap this type of heater for a radiant panel heater.
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| 5.
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Only use compact radiant panel heaters/mats in A/C spaces:
If you are working in an air conditioned space (or one that is centrally heating) and find conditions a little cold, don't resort to oil heaters, fan heaters etc. The A/C system will draw away the warm air these heaters produce so that they are working continuously. Worse yet your office may be trying to work in cooling mode due the heat loads from copiers, computers people etc. Use a floor heating mat or compact radiant panel heater instead. This will do the job with minimal impact on the central system.
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| 6.
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Turn your heater off when unattended:
When you go home at night, or leave the office for any length of time, turn your heater off. This saves energy and reduces risks. If you have an oil heater we know you will be reluctant to turn the heater off because these heaters take a long while to warm up. Swap the oil heater for a rapid acting radiant panel heater. If you keep it then you really must turn it off at night. Be wary of using timers – what if you do not come to work tomorrow? The best case scenario
is wasted energy. Under the worst case scenario the heater comes on after someone has
shifted an item in the office and a fire results.
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| 7.
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Use the overhead fan:
Using the overhead fan in winter mode helps to break up the layer of very warm air that
is created under the ceiling by oil heaters and other convection heaters. Mixing this warm air with the rest of the room improves the efficiency and effectiveness
of convection heaters.
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| 8.
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Respect heater clearances:
Always find out what the required clearances are around the front, back, sides and above your heater. Do not allow items to be placed too close to the heater. This is especially important for high temperature heaters such as bar radiators. A bar radiator may be well set up, yet all it takes is a visitor to inadvertently cause a piece of paper to drop onto the heater to create a fire (or a
pullover to slide off the back of a chair onto the heater).
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| 9.
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Report broken/faulty windows and doors:
Broken windows, holes in walls, or windows and doors that do not close properly,
all create draughts that suck energy out of workspaces and allow cold air in. You will be more comfortable and your heater will be more efficient if these are repaired. Contact your CFM or administration officer for help or phone 55111.
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| 10.
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Balance range and power with radiant panel heaters:
If you are using a radiant micathermic panel heateIf you are using a radiant micathermic panel heater and it becomes too hot for comfort (as opposed to being so hot it might burn), then turn the power setting down rather than move the heater away. This way you will be comfortable with least energy use. With any radiant heater try moving the heater a little closer
(subject to safety) and turning the power down rather than keeping the unit at full power metres away.
Always respect clearances and use common sense. Note that if you have a bar radiator, strip heater, or any type of heater with a quartz infrared heating element you can swap it for an inherently safer and more efficient compact radiant panel heater or micathermic radiant panel heater.
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