Dimplex

Electric portable heaters have had a resurgence in popularity in recent times, as modern, eco-efficient models have broken into the market. Previously, they were labelled as being very wasteful but this is no longer the case - as discussed in this article. Electric portable heaters offer all types of advantages. They have flexible placement, they are virtually maintenance free, and they incur cheap running costs. However, there are dangers that come with running portable heaters - even the newer range. In this article, Sparks will take a look at safe portable heater usage. We will use advice taken from a prestigious heating manufacturer - Dimplex. What to look for when first purchasing an electric heater The first thing to check for is if your heater has a BEAB approved European Safety Mark. This mark is the highest safety standard achievable in the UK market and is well-trusted in the industry. When looking at Dimplex heaters, you will find the mark on the product itself, as well as the packaging and literature. The BEAB approved mark indicates that ‘Intertek’ (an independent third-party company) has given the green light to the product. This means they have verified that the manufacturer has committed to best practice, product quality and, most importantly, customer safety. Customer safety is the key issue we will examine in this article. BEAB awarded products offer a variety of safety features including: Run back timers. Easy to clean dust filters. Overheat cut outs. Built-in tilt switches (this cuts off power to the heater in case it is knocked over). Dimplex’s latest range of heaters include some or all of these features. They also have other advantages. For instance, the Dimplex DXC30Ti 3.0kW can be used as a portable heater or be wall mounted. It also comes with feet, wall brackets, a cable and a fitted plug. This makes it very easy to install - in whatever area of the home you choose. While old-school portable heaters were only considered as an option for rarely used ‘outbuildings’, these heaters are designed to complement any area (except the bathroom). This provides a great deal of convenience to the user. Safety advice: Using your electric portable heater at home Electric portable heaters carry fewer risks than other forms of heating. There is no fuel that is being burned internally, so there is no risk of carbon monoxide (CO) fumes or the dangers of storing and changing gas bottles. These are problems involved with using portable gas heaters. When used correctly, electric portable heaters are among the safest ways you can warm up your room. However, this should not cause you to become too complacent - you still need to take the following safety advice when using these products at home: Purchase your heater from recognised manufacturers and retailers. Also, ensure that the product shows the BEAB mark as an assurance of safety. Always avoid buying second-hand heaters. They may have potentially harmful defects. Put your heater on a level surface and away from any potential obstruction. Do not power a heater from an extension lead. These can be easily overloaded, which will cause an electrical fire. Never cover, drape or leave clothing on an electric heater. Also, refrain from using it to dry your clothes. Keep your heater a safe distance (at least a metre) away from clothes, curtains and furniture. Turn your heater off and allow it to cool before moving on. Make sure your heater is regularly inspected for damage and deterioration by a registered electrician. Do not use it if you are in any way uncertain, or if there is apparent damage. Always use the portable heater for its intended application. Keeping a warm and safe home with Dimplex Dimplex set out with a policy goal of designing all of their products with ‘safety front and centre’. If they are used as advised in this article, their electric heaters should be much safer than other forms of heating. No fuel is consumed with Dimplex’s modern heaters, which mean less ventilation is required in your home. You are also at far less risk of CO poisoning. Additionally, the newer models are highly eco-efficient, meaning they still retain the low running costs that made them so popular when they first came out. So, if you are looking for a flexible, safe, energy-efficient means of heating your home - then Dimplex has you covered with their brilliant array of electric portable heaters.

There's an argument to be made concerning what is the ideal weapon in fighting and even preventing hypothermia, and we think that portable heaters can be an ideal weapon. In scientific terms, hypothermia is when our core body temperature reaches 35 degrees Celsius. This is opposed to a standard body temperature which should be 37 degrees Celsius. You don’t get frostbite as soon as hypothermia hits. In fact, with mild forms of the ailment, it can be very difficult to detect initially. Only a single degree drop in temperature can result in a slew of symptoms that may go unnoticed. These include slowed reaction time, impaired judgement, slurred speech and impaired rational decision-making. It is only when your core body temperature reaches 30 degrees that you will lose consciousness - and that is a rare occurrence. In this article, Sparks will delve more into the issue of hypothermia and explain how portable heaters may be the ideal solution to this widespread problem. Mild hypothermia and who it affects the most Mild hypothermia and who it affects the most - here are some of the symptoms of hypothermia. Picture credit: here.An indoor air temperature of 20 degrees can chill a body to 33 degrees in only eight minutes. This is well below what the average body temperature of a healthy adult should be. The people most at risk are the elderly and others with naturally low metabolic rates. Low metabolic rates cause people to generate less heat and most afflict those 60 years old and over. Elderly people with inadequate diets or heating are the most at risk from hypothermia. Infants are also susceptible to this condition - so be on the lookout for symptoms. With an infant, these symptoms include cold-to-touch bodies, bright red skin and unusually low energy rates. Extreme cases of hypothermia can result in death. It is not just the elderly and infants who may be affected by hypothermia: it could affect anyone in your household. This is why it is important to keep on the look-out for these symptoms and to find an effective solution. Portable heaters: an ideal weapon in preventing hypothermia Portable or ‘space’ heaters have had a renaissance recently, with a range of modern, eco-efficient models being released on the market. They offer an ideal solution to hypothermia, as you can warm up specific rooms an optimal temperature without wasting a huge amount of energy. There are three main types to take a look at. Convector heaters Convector heaters are perfect for heating large spaces such as living rooms and conservatories, but are suitable for a variety of room types. They offer rapid warm up and virtually silent operation. Convection works by air being pushed over a heating element, which then rises and enters the room. Cold air is pulled in to the bottom of the heater and the process repeats itself. Eventually, all of the air within the room will be heated. Convector heaters also operate at a much lower volume than fan heaters.  This model is designed to complement any surrounding, has a thermostatic control and is ideal for domestic or commercial use. Fan heaters Fan heaters, meanwhile, are lightweight which means they can be quickly moved to wherever they are most required. This adaptability is a key appeal of fan heaters for users looking for convenience in use, as they can be used for ‘zonal’ heating. They offer remarkably fast heat output and can be placed unobtrusively throughout the home, with the ability to heat large areas. Dimplex offers a mix of upright and ‘letterbox’ style fan heaters, as well as ‘towers’. You should pick which fan heater will suit your lifestyle the most. Dimplex’s modern range includes great features such as clear displays and controls and complete flexibility for your needs. For instance, there is the incredibly efficient Dimplex XLE070 which uses smart heat retention to save energy. The built-in timer also grants users greater control over their heating, which allows them to adapt their heating temperature and timings to suit their needs. Radiators Radiators have a near silent operation, so are great for use within bedrooms - but can be used anywhere across your home (apart from the bathroom). Some models even feature a fully programmable 24-hour timer, so you can set precisely when you want the heater to be in operation. This saves you from wasting energy at times of the day when it is not necessary for the radiator to be turned on. Dimplex has a fantastic range of radiators, that offer cutting-edge features to help keep you warm - and stay environmentally friendly. Don’t ignore the problem - get a portable heater to stay warm and healthy Hypothermia is a problem that is often overlooked but can no longer be ignored. This past year there were more than 34,000 excess winter deaths, with hypothermia being a major contributor to this terrible statistic. Portable heating solutions are now much cheaper, more eco-efficient and - above all else - will give you peace of mind. They are well worth investing in, to reduce the risk of hypothermia to your family and other loved ones, thus being a great help in preventing hypothermia.

It’s happened to all of us: we go to bed feeling ready to fall asleep straight away but then find ourselves tossing and turning all night. There could be many reasons for finding it difficult to fall asleep. One of these problems could likely be the heating in your room, and in this article we want to find out how portable heating can help. During the winter, many energy-conscious people will sleep in rooms that are too cool. Meanwhile, during the summer, others will put up with sweltering hot conditions that can leave them sweating. The Sleep Council recommends 18 degrees as the optimum room temperature to fall asleep in. In this article, Sparks will look at how we can maintain this ideal temperature without suffering from high energy costs. Why it is so important that you get a good night’s sleep Detailed sleep studies have made us more aware of how important sleep is to our physical and mental well-being. The precise reason why we need to sleep and dream is still not conclusive. However, the results indicate that our quality of sleep is intrinsically linked to our quality of life. Poor sleep patterns have been strongly linked to weight gain, greater risk of heart disease or stroke, the risk of diabetes and mental health problems. Meanwhile, positive sleep patterns have been linked to improved concentration and productivity, better athletic performance and better immune function. As you can see, quality sleep is essential for us all - and all avenues to improving our sleep should be explored. First on the list of the Sleep Council’s methods to improve sleep is by achieving the optimal temperature in your room. Portable heating and cooling for ideal sleeping conditions Ensuring that your bedroom is kept to an accurate and dependable temperature is a difficult task for most central heating systems. This is why people are increasingly turning to portable heating and cooling as a solution, given the advancements these systems have seen in recent years. A primary reason for this is that portable heaters are separate from your central heating system, and offer greater adaptability. Portable coolers are ideal when you find yourself struggling to get some sleep in a hot environment. They operate at a quiet and efficient rate to keep your room at a comfortable temperature that is conducive to sleep. Dimplex offers a great range of portable coolers, which have modern features such as adjustable speed settings - which you can operate from your bed. If you find yourself sweating into your sheets at night, all you need to do is manage the cooler from a remote. On the other hand, you may find yourself freezing cold under the covers during the winter. Sometimes merely adding extra duvets or blankets is not enough but rather, it can be uncomfortable. If this is the case then you should look into electric portable heaters. It boasts a thermostatic control, a 24-hour timer and can be used as a portable device or wall-mounted.Installed heating for perfect sleeping conditions Some may argue that portable heating and cooling solutions for your bedroom are only ‘temporary’. If you are looking for something more permanent than you may wish to have installed heating within your bedroom. The intuitive technology employed in modern electric radiators means that fluctuations in temperature are no longer a problem. You can guarantee a steady 18-degree temperature in your room throughout the night to allow for a good night’s rest. Dimplex offers a range of fixed electric radiators that - crucially - have smart programmable controls. They are thermostatically controlled, via a variable thermostat which allows the user to stay in control of a set point temperature. This allows them to establish a comfortable and cosy environment for sleeping. It strikes the perfect balance between convected and radiant heat, and ensures warmth is efficiently spread to both the air and the people in the room. Electric cooling and heating can improve your lifestyle As explained above in this article, sleep is very important when it comes to our general well-being and quality of life. Furthermore, your room’s temperature is strongly linked to how well you sleep. There are some easy solutions for seasonal ‘extreme’ temperatures. For winter you may add extra layers of sheets to your bed, while in summer you could open a window or two. However, this is not an exact science for room temperature control. Dimplex offers a real solution with their range of portable (or fixed) heating and cooling systems. Utilising smart technology, they have clever features such as ‘overheat cut out’, which is helpful for creating a set point temperature of 18 degrees. This will allow you to get a great night’s rest - and be ready for the day ahead.

Some people say, The winter is gone - turn off that heater! And they really mean it - at work, in the car, and at home, they turn off the heater! But others - and we are also among these others - still need some heating elements in addition to the lovely natural sunlight we enjoy from time to time here in England... Portable Heating - a Flexible Heating Solution For those who spend much time at home or are tied to a particular space in the office, it is not so easy to rely only on the central heating - even though sometimes it can be programmed and set to heat up particular rooms only. Sometimes you just need some quick heating for 20-30 minutes, or maybe from time to time during the day you need heating. A wall-mounted and high-electricity-consuming heater is not the solution; rather, what you need is a portable heater. They can be either wall-mounted or they can be freestanding (to be moved as needed). Two Excellent Portable Dimplex Heaters There are all kinds of portable heaters available at Sparks, but today we would like to recommend two specific Dimplex portable heaters. Take a look at them, read at their technical specifications, check out their price, and if you're not decided yet, why not give us a call :) or email us for more details. Oil Filled Radiator with Timer Dimplex OFX 1.5kW is an oil-filled radiator coming fitted with an energy regulator thermostat, being suitable both for home and office use. This kind of heaters provide a balance of convected and radiant heat - just like a conventional radiator - but with the added advantage of a "plug-in" portability. Excellent solution for long term, with a safe design  reliable and not drying the air. Dimplex Contrast Portable Heater The Dimplex DXC20 is probably one of the most popular convector heaters, being ideal for use in any room of the house (except the bathroom) where there is no heating or where you need some quick heating right away. This particular model is "for moving around", since it is freestanding using a regular 240V supply. The unique forward facing grille is specifically designed for enhanced heat throw. Since these heaters are can be operated independently from the central heating, they can be turned OFF when they are not needed and ON when you need them. Believe me, you will sometimes need quick heating in a certain room or around the desk in the office. And then you will remember the friendly advice offered to you by Sparks Direct...

As we move out from winter and the warm excess of the New Year period, we should be wary of the spring. Judging from a quick glance outside, it ought to be warm. It might even be sunny. But, no. Spring is a notoriously fickle season, as prone to sudden dips in temperature as the winter or the British summer. And what is there to do when this happens? How can we even hope to prepare, freezing there in our socks of a Thursday morning? 2012 was the wettest year on record; what fresh surprises will 2013 bring?Note: the Dimplex CXL range and the XL ranges are no longer available; see here to find out the existing Heating solutions from Dimplex. Storing Heat Just in Case  We discussed the proper use of storage heaters just a few months ago, in October. The same basic principle applies: it's a good idea to store up the heat using cheap off-peak electricity during the slightly warmer seasons for a little extra comfort at night. Using the manual controls, it's especially simple to decide how much heat to charge using a storage heater and later release. But this won't help when a sudden freeze sets in. The Dimplex CXL Series Dimplex's combination heaters, the CXL series, combine a storage heating unit with a "top-up" convection heater that can be activated in case of cold weather, when the ceramic storage blocks are turned off.The CXL12, for example, is a 1.7kW storage heater and a 900W convector heater in a single, slimline casing - less than 8 inches (200mm) in depth and drip-proof with a rating of IPX4.So it's suitable for the bathroom - which is where it's often needed most. Its storage heater elements and components are based on the bestselling XL range, which remains a main player some years after its introduction.The convector heater is thermostatically controlled, and user-adjustable to maintain a comfortable room temperature when it's needed.Even if you're totally comfortable reading this right now, it's certainly worth investing in a Dimplex CXL combination heater for the year ahead, whatever weather it might bring.Note: this range of Dimplex heaters is now superseded by the Dimplex Slimline Storage Heaters on this list, available at Sparks.