It is very important to choose the right heater for your home. The criteria of choosing the ideal heater for your home will mainly depend on the area that requires heating and available storage. There are different types of portable heaters available in the market, but it is very difficult to choose which is appropriate for your home. 

In this guide, we will discuss Oil Heater vs Electric Heater. We have put out this small guide to provide you some clarity about which one is best. We have also discussed all their pros and cons, which makes choosing your appropriate heater easier.

Oil Heater vs Electric Heater

The main difference between Oil Filled Heater and Electric Heater is that the Oil Heater is more efficient and provides a long-lasting heat, and they are very quiet too, while the Electric Heater can provide instant heat and is very lightweight and portable. 

Let us discuss both in detail.

Oil Heaters

Oil Heaters, also known as Oil-Filled Heaters, are very efficient and considered a common form of a convection heater. In this type of heater, the oil is not used as fuel.

They can be stored in the heat reservoir and then heated by an electrical element. The warm oil is helpful in producing long-lasting heat by convection. They are very efficient and very helpful in lowering down your electricity bill.

To keep the room temperature consistent, you must use the Eco mode, which allows the heater to turn the heater on and off automatically. The Oil-Filled Heaters are great for bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms.

Advantages of Oil Heater 

• Efficient – The Oil-Filled Heater is very efficient and has a lower power consumption when compared to the Electric Heaters. The main reason behind the low consumption of electricity is how they work. The oil inside them is not used as a fuel, instead it is stored inside the radiator and then warmed up. There is a large surface area of the walls inside, which helps in heating a large amount of air in very little time. When the heater reaches up to its optimum temperature, it stops running, which helps in reducing the electric cost.
• Long-Lasting Warmth – As we have discussed above, it has a large surface area of walls and a greater volume of air contact with the heat source, that is why it is able to produce a long-lasting heat. It means that it will heat the room quickly and keep the room warm for a longer period. When it reaches its zenith temperature, it will automatically turn off, which helps low energy consumption.
• Quiet – When compared to the Electric Heaters, Oil-Filled Heaters are very quiet, and it does not have to run continuously to provide heat. And there is also no moving part in the Oil-Filled heater, which creates noise.
• Low Environmental Impact – The Oil-Filled Heater has a very low impact on the environment because they have very low energy consumption. The oil inside the heater can remain effective for long years without replacing it. You must know that the oil is a toxic substance and can be disposed of properly.

Disadvantages Oil Heater

• Slow to Warm – Compared to the Electric Heaters, they are relatively slow in producing heat because they mainly depend on the liquid to warm first and provide heat outside. The eating process is slow because of metal walls, and the heat must travel through metal walls and then to the air by radiation which takes so much time. It also takes some time to cool down, so it is recommended to keep children away from them.
• Heavy – The Oil-Filled Heaters are very heavy, making them difficult to move from one place to another. The main reason behind their heavyweight is that they are filled with viscous fluid, which is stored in a metal container.
• Not Suitable for Larger Spaces – The Oil Heaters are not ideal when it comes to warm larger rooms or halls. In large rooms, it is very hard to distribute heat.

Electric Heaters

Electric Heaters are considered best for small areas and have the capability to produce heat quickly. They have a heating element which is usually made of metal or ceramic, which helps in quick heating. 

There are two types of electric heaters available in the market: one with a fan and one without a fan. The fan variant is helpful in spreading warm air throughout the room more quickly than the without fan variant.

Advantages Electric Heater

• Heat Quickly – When compared to the Oil-Filled Heaters, Electric Heaters can reach their top temperature quickly, you can notice the warmth in a few minutes. Some of the Electric Heaters are also equipped with fans which helps in blowing out the heat quickly. That is why Electric Heaters are considered a perfect option for short-term heating.
• Lightweight and Portable – The Electric Heaters are very lightweight and easy to move from one place to another. The lightweight of this heater makes portability very easy.
• Oscillation and Directed Heating – Some of the Electric Heaters are equipped with an Oscillation feature, which helps distribute heat to all corners of the room. You can even fix the heat in any specific direction.

Disadvantages Electric Heater

• Require Power Supply – The Electric Heater runs on electricity and requires a power source to run effectively. The heat inside the heater will quickly dissipate as soon as the heater is turned off.
• Safety Concerns – There are numerous safety issues that will arise by using Electrical heaters, and there is a risk of fire if they are placed next to flammable substances. When compared to the Oil-Filled Heaters, the Electric Heaters are very hot to touch. The Electric Heater requires electricity to run, so there is a risk of getting shocked.
• Very Noisy – When compared to the Oil-Filled Heaters, the Electric Heaters are very noisy. The main reason behind the loud noise is the continuous running of fans.
• Not Efficient – The Electric Heaters requires electricity to run, which leads to a higher electricity bill. It does not have the feature to automatically shut down by reaching its highest temperature, just like the Oil-Filled Heaters. They require a constant electric charge to continue providing heat. That is why they are considered inefficient when used for more than a short interval of time.
• Require Maintenance – The Electric Heater requires regular maintenance because of the fan. A huge amount of dust is accumulated on the fan with time, which affects the efficiency of the heater. The dust is responsible for slower follow heat. So, if you are purchasing an Electric Heater, you must have to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines.

So, What’s the Best Heater for You?

So, there is no best choice at all. It completely depends on the situation because different situations demand different temperatures. If you want a Heater for your Bedroom, then an Oil-Filled Heater is considered best for you because of its silent nature.

It does not create unnecessary noise, which allows the users to sleep peacefully. The other main reason behind choosing the Oil-Filled Heater for the Bedroom is its ability to keep the room warm for a more extended period.

If you are looking for a heater ideal for your kid’s room, then an Electric heater is the best because the Oil Heaters get very hot, which is not safe for children. If you are looking for a Heater for your Basement, then an Oil Filled is perfect for you because the heat will hang around there for a longer period.

	Oil-Filled Heaters	Electric Heaters
Function	The Oil-Filled Heaters produce heat with the help of a heating element which is generally made up of iron.	The Electric Heater uses continuous electricity to create heat, and that is what they can heat quickly.
Efficiency	The Oil-Filled Heater is considered very efficient and helps in providing low electricity bills.	The Electric Heaters require a continuous supply of electricity to run, which can result in high electric bills.
Weight	The Oil-Filled Heaters are heavier because they are filled with liquid inside them and metal blocks that are designed to keep any liquid away from escaping.	The Electric HEaters are lightweight and are easy to move from one place to another. They have nothing inside them except a fan and some electricity.
Noise	The Oil-Filled Heaters do not create any noise at all, they are very quiet because there is no fan inside them, and they do not have to run continuously to provide heat.	The Electric Heater is very noisy because they must run constantly to keep the device hot.

Final Words

Choosing an ideal heater for your home is always a smart choice. The Oil Heaters are considered best for small rooms and bedrooms and helpful in providing heat for a longer period. 

While on the other hand, the Electric heater is helpful in proving heat quickly and is portable and versatile. Now, you know all the main differences between an Oil-Filled Heater and Electric Heater, so it is upon you to choose the best one which suits your needs. 

This is all about Oil Heaters vs Electric Heaters. I hope that you found this guide useful. If you have any questions or anything to share with us, you can tell us by commenting down below.