Portable gas heaters - costs and pros/cons

[blueparrot]

Does anyone know the approx cost of portable gas heaters in TRNC?

Do they work well, as a substitute for central heating via boiler and radiators?

Any problems/downsides?

I am looking at possible rentals, and it is almost impossible to find houses with central heating.

Thanks to all.

[Floradora]

Hi
They produce a lot of condensation.
Not suitable for heating a whole villa and personally would not use in a bedroom.
Fumes.
I find that they irritate my eyes after a while.

I found that using the heater on the air conditioning wasn't expensive in a previous property and very effective.

I'm not sure about the cost of a new one but definitely under £100

I'm lucky enough to have central heating and a log burner so am very happy with that.

I'm sure other opinions will follow

Good luck with your search

Kevin

[Deniz1]

China Bazaar have them 250tl. I use them downstairs yet they do make condensation but I find they are quite warm if all the connections are tight you shouldnt get fumes the fire will cut off if it is not ventilated properly in the room. A gas bottle lasts me about two weeks when used every evening 37tl.

[Rubyroo]

I use these too but you must ventilate the room! this helps to let the fumes out and reduces the condensation. They can be very effective heaters.

You may find you start to wear more clothes to keep warm here rather than using any heaters. In the UK it is easy to just turn the heat up.

Keep an eye out in the Sales section as you can often buy second hand ones. The auctions at Lambousa and Sunset Beach often have them too.

Handy to keep some fleece throws/blankets in your living areas to snuggle up in.

[Ragged Robin]

Provided you are big and strong! The gas cylinders when full are heavy to lift and carry and although you can get them delivered you still have to get them into the house (and up stairs?) and fitting them is a knack and takes strong wrists! And of course S***ds law demands they always run out late at night! They are also difficult to wheel around on carpet - better on rooms with tiled floors.

But they give off good heat and are cheapest alternative for large rooms and old houses with high ceilings and gaps in doors and windows! It may be worth keeping at least one for emergencies when the electric goes off

You also have to bear in mind that although the flame is guarded they are open fire - a dog's wagging tail can cause a flare outl

I use air conditioner in bedroom for heating for safety with lots of fabric around. Wall mounted electric heaters for safely( with the bathroom switched outside the room) in kitchen and bathroom. The lounge has a log fire, but for short periods and in the spring and autumn I use gas heater and gas heater on low setting in the entrance hall to take the chill off. I use an old freestanding eletric heater for the study/spare bedroom, but my electric bills were heavy last year and I am looking for cheaper alternatives.

.

[ttoli]

I have a gas heater for the front room , but I find that it does give off fumes, hence I use an Oil filled Radiator on a timer switch in the Bedroom and have Installed wood laminate flooring throughout which have proved their weight in gold.

[rocking]

There are halogen heaters for sale at butchers shop in the square on main road in Karsiyaka. Very cheap o run and safe.

[sophie]

Some people like halogen and some don't - we fall between the two depending on the size of your rooms and height of ceiling. They are ideal if you have dogs if you leave them on their own and there is a possibility of being knocked over - they automatically switch off if this happens. You can turn lights off when they are on. We have gas at the bottom of the stairs for heat to rise - not many fumes, cheap but canisters a killer to lift. Very small but powerful hot air heaters in bedrooms and sometimes A/C. Thick fleeces to wear and cuddle up in PLUS good quality electric blankets - bliss.

[dippersgirl]

definitely make sure to have one gas heater. it gives you the chance to have just a bit of extra heat quickly, also essential with power cuts!!!

[Ragged Robin]

Sophie: so are halogen heaters good or bad for rooms with high ceilings please?


PS Hot water bottles are also a good idea for electricity cuts! A good duvet and fleece blankets (the latter quite cheap here) are also a must for winter.

[brian24001]

Remember that gas heaters also produce carbon monoxide, a silent odourless killer.

Be very careful with them.

[sophie]

No RR. sorry if it wasn't clear re Halogen. No I wouldn't use them in some of my really high ceilings, (we have hot air blowers and AC for those) but if you buy the rotation type they will give an all round heat. However we do have them dotted around the place to try and make the ambient temperature liveable with. The hottest form of heating we ever had was actually paraffin but we found them a bit of a bind, although I'm told the new expensive ones are not only very hot but don't give out fumes like the earlier ones did. Makes me smile, here we discussing our perishing cold houses after a simply scorching hot summer. I look forward to those winter days when its warmer to sit out on the terrace than it is in doors!!

[Ragged Robin]

Thanks, Sophie, the ceiling is high in the room in question, but I think I may still try halogen as your point about dogs is a relevant one.

That applies even more to paraffin heaters. I had them in a house I rented, with large rooms, minimum furniture and tiled floors, and found them cheap and efficient as far as heat went, if rather smelly. However when I moved into my own house, I decided they were a definite no-no, partly because I acquired more furniture and thus higher fire risk, but mainly, and you will appreciate this Sophie, because with my own house the dogs came inside and I decided the risk of knocking over (even if I was present) was far too high- the spaniel's tail alone can become an offensive weapon when he gets excited and sends everything flying !

Yes, I always think living in Cyprus is like living in two countries: you needs an entirely different set of clothes , bedding, and even soft furnishing for different seasons!! I also have a separate set of thicker winter curtains.

I endorse the warning about gas heaters - I only use them in the rooms with high ceilings and built in ventilation through ill fitting doors and windows! Not for bedroom or bathrooms! and probably not with young children around.

For the OP - bear in mind that the direction of doors and windows will influence heating (and cooling). Even in mid winter South facing rooms will get a little solar gain during the day most days - North facing rooms will need more and longer heating,

[ToastLady]

I don't find that halogen heaters are good for heating up a room, but they are good for heating a person up, as in aimed at you whilst sitting down watching tv, or on a chilly morning whilst getting dressed, kind of thing. I now mainly use the a/c for heating, but use either a halogen or small fan heater in the kitchen, which doesn't have a/c.

[blueparrot]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Very useful.

[SussexBoy]

Remember that gas heaters also produce carbon monoxide, a silent odourless killer.
Be very careful with them.

Agree with you Brian. From 1 October 2015, although UK legislation only requires landlords (for rented accommodation) to install a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a solid fuel burning appliances (includes open fires), its additional guidance states that it expects and encourages reputable landlords to ensure that working carbon monoxide alarms are installed in rooms with gas appliances. This would include gas heaters, ovens and hobs.

[steve66]

Re halogen heaters.
Apart from the butchers shop in Karsiyaka could anyone tell me where to buy one in Girne, or
the approach to Girne coming from Esentepe.

Thanks

[sophie]

I would think that every electrical shop you pass will have them, plus Arcelik and Halos stores, This time last year even Lemar had them in some of their shops. There is a shop nearly opposite Garanti bank/Deniz Plaza that has loads, including the tall ones on stands i.e. almost shoulder height. At least they did last week.

[Ragged Robin]

I am told that the hardware shop (sorry I forget the name) next to China Bazaar Catalkoy has them. From Esentepe to Girne on the coast road, on the right past New Tempo, Supreme and Sah and just after Erdener.

[kaiserphil]

Is it called "Aladdin's Cave"?

Whatever, that is most likely where mine came from.

[Ragged Robin]

Aladdins's Cave is on the left hand side of the road and a little nearer Girne (before the Courtyard) It is a good thought though, as it is the sort of thing they do , and I have had some good stuff from there. Also owner speaks good English and is helpful

[sophie]

Forgot to mention, we pay a bit more than the cheapest halogens are because I like to have ones with zappers. You don't have to get out of bed to switch them on and off!