\"Latest\" quartz type space heater ------Any good or a scam?

ombre

Here is the deal. Am a great believer in space heaters. Of course I live in Floriduh-------so it is doable here. Probably not in the northerly regions.

Have owned Intertherm "soft heat" type space heaters as my sole source of heat for almost 30 years.

(Used my central electric furnace with (2) 5 kw heat strips for a couple of months back in 1976 when my house was new---got $200 electric bills--to keep my house so cold you needed to wear sweaters)

I said "screw that" and bought Intertherms, and have been toasty warm and happy and pleased with at most maybe a $20 to $40 a month increase in my electric bill in the wintertime ever since.

Intertherm "soft heat" used an antifreeze type solution heated by a thermostatically controlled electric element within rather large copper piping and aluminum fins. No fan.

Those "soft heat" Intertherms were not particularly cheap. Over $100 per unit back in the mid $70's. But have been no problem at all mechanically. And have done wonderfully.

But those Intertherms are going on close to 30 years of age now. All things will break eventually.

OK----back to the original post question.---

Just received something in the mail from "Biotech Research"---------A quartz element heating copper tubing, fan driven space heater. Says so safe to operate that you can have zero clearance and a dog can sleep on it. (my old Intertherms always wanted a couple feet clearance)

Cost with discounts and free shipping -----$300 for a unit capable of heating 500 sq ft and $400 for a unit capable of heating 1000 sq ft.

Allowing for inflation over 30 years-------it is very comparable in price to what I paid 30 years ago for my "Intertherm" units.

Is this a scam? Or a good product?

I don't like the idea that it is fan driven. (my Intertherms were natural convection)---so if the fan quits the only thing keeping your house from burning down is the high limit safety)

Is manufactured in Taiwan (a little better than in China). 3 year warrantee parts and labor. 60 day money back guarantee.

Their web-site is www.biotechresearch.com

Any info or opinions on this product and the company greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

ombre

A couple things that bother me about what I got in the mail. ---------

Standard mail ====bulk rate.

"John Jones" invented it? Got to be kidding.

Some of the stuff at the web site concerning this unit sounds like complete snake oil. Read it and you as professionals will see.

(I did AC/refrigeration for 20 years and a lot of it seems completely bogus------but could be dumbed down for the average consumer)

Also don't like the fact that I cannot find any references to amperage. Will the 1000 sq ft unit need a 20 amp outlet? And special wiring?

Brad White_9

kW is kW is kW

No matter how you slice it, a kilowatt in is a kilowatt out unless it is a heat pump. Only the thermal fluid they use emits heat more gently over time rather than on/off with expansion noises.

J.C.A._3

Ombre,

Check tese out. I had a friend put them in a "3 season room" about 12X15, with a few windows and it worked pretty well untill the coldest days (-15w/ wind, next to an open field) Easy to install and you can run them on a light timer or thermostat if you'd like to. Chris http://www.eheat.us/?opt=products

ombre

Thanks for that link.

A very interesting product that one is.