Guide to energy efficient heaters in NZ

Oil Heaters: Best for Steady, Economical Room Heat

• Heat retention: Once the internal oil is warmed, the heater continues radiating warmth even on a lower setting.
• Quiet operation: Ideal if you’re sensitive to fan noise or want to avoid too much distraction.
• Safe & low maintenance: Modern oil heaters often have tip-over protection and thermostatic control.

Saving on bills:
Rather than cycling it on and off, set the built-in thermostat to a moderate temperature (roughly 18–20°C) and let it run steadily. This gentle, continuous heat uses less energy than blasting a room hot, turning the heater off, and repeating the process. Briscoes offers various oil heaters with digital controls. Perfect for fuss-free, cost-effective warming.

Ceramic & Radiant Heaters: Spot Heating

Ceramic Heaters

• Fast warm-up: Heat up quickly, making them handy for short bursts of heat.
• Fan-assisted: Distributes warm air around small to medium spaces.
• Easy to move: Many models come with handles and are lightweight.

Radiant Heaters

• Direct heat: Fantastic if you’re seated nearby and don’t need to warm an entire room.
• No Fan Noise: Usually quiet, as they rely on infrared warmth

Saving on Bills:
Use them only when you’re in the room. They lose much of their cost-effectiveness if left on when nobody’s around. Briscoes has compact ceramic and radiant heaters with thermostats and timers for better energy control.

Convector & Fan Heaters: Short, Sharp Blasts of Warmth

Convector Heaters

• Gentle warmth: Great for smaller or well-insulated rooms, with near-silent operation.
• Wall-mount options: Slim-line models can be installed discreetly.

Fan Heaters

• Immediate heat: Switch on and you’ll feel the warmth almost straight away.
• Budget-friendly: Often cheaper to purchase, though their rapid heat might tempt you to leave them running longer.

Saving on Bills:
These are best for quick fixes, like warming a chilly bathroom or a study for a short time. If you’re running them for hours, you’ll notice it on your next electricity bill. Instead, limit usage to when you need immediate heat, then switch them off once the room is comfortable. Check out Briscoes’ range of fan heaters and convector heaters.

Electric Blankets: The Ultimate Low-Bill Hero

• Direct personal warmth: Instead of heating the entire bedroom, you only warm your bed.
  
  
• Low power usage: Great for preheating before you climb in, then switch off or use a low setting.
  
  

Ideal for winter nights: An electric blanket can be a real luxury when the temperature dips.

Pro Tip:
Look for electric blankets at Briscoes that feature timers or dual controls, so each side of the bed can be set to a personal preference. This targeted approach to heating drastically reduces power consumption compared to heating a large room.

Tips & Tricks to Maximise Savings

1. Zone heating: Rather than heating your entire house, focus on the rooms you actually use. Close doors to contain the warmth.
   
   
2. Use a thermostat: Whether on an oil heater or a fan heater with a built-in thermostat, set a sensible temperature. Constantly cranking heat up and down can cause spikes in energy usage.
   
   
3. Timers & eco-modes: Many heaters from Briscoes come with timers or eco-settings. Use these features to prevent accidentally running the heater all night or while you’re out.
   
   
4. Insulation & draught-proofing: Even the best heater will struggle if your home is losing heat through gaps and thin windows. Adding door draught stoppers or thicker curtains can make a surprising difference.
   
   

Layer up: The simplest way to stay warm without ramping up power usage? Put on cosy socks, a jumper, or snuggle up under a thick blanket.

Which Heater Is Right for You?

Lowest Ongoing Cost: Electric Blankets

• Warm just the bed, not the room
  
  
• Cheap to run

Best heater for bedroom: Oil Heaters

• Retain heat well
  
  
• Excellent for moderate, continuous warmth
  
  
• Quiet and easy to maintain

Short-Burst, Focused Heating: Ceramic or Radiant Heaters

• Quick and spot-focused
  
  
• Perfect if you’re only in one place for a little while

Occasional Rapid Heating: Fan Heaters

• Heat up a small space swiftly
  
  
• Best in short intervals to avoid big bills

Convector Heaters

• Low-noise, subtle warming
  
  
• Good for smaller, well-insulated rooms
  

Shop Smart at Briscoes

Keeping cosy shouldn’t mean dreading your next power bill. The key is choosing the heater (or blanket!) that suits both your lifestyle and your space. At Briscoes, you’ll find a wide array of oil heaters, ceramic heaters, radiant models, fan and convector options, and of course, electric blankets. Chat with our team in-store or browse online to compare different specs and styles before making your choice.