Oil-filled radiators offer a number of advantages. Consumers also like their ability to provide background heat without overheating a room and their energy efficiency. According to De'Longhi and Glen Electric, British consumers are paying closer attention to quality and design when they look for heaters. A growing number of buyers also want models with thermostats and timers. During cold snaps, portable models such as fan, convector and infrared heaters are in big demand.
Buyers also snap up tubular and skirting heaters.
One important buying consideration is energy efficiency. Timers and thermostats are useful for saving electricity. Thus, many models rely on thermal cutouts to prevent overheating. Nevertheless, their heating tubes operate at full power, heating up a room more quickly. Fan heaters offer fast directional heating, but they tend to be noisy and dry.