Having a mobile heater in the car is very useful, especially if your vehicle takes some time to warm up. If you are looking to buy, there are certain things you should know first. Here is a little help in deciding which one is best for you:

1.) The first and most important thing is safety. The design you are looking for is one that does not overheat when the heater is in use. Some car heaters have auto safety switches – they are not essential but they do add an extra element of safety. You can never be too safe when it comes to heaters.

2.) A long cord gives you the flexibility to position the heater where you want it. Watch out for models that only have a short cord that is long enough to allow the heater to only sit in the middle of the dash – you want to be able to defrost more than one section of the window!

3.) You should also consider the possibility of heating adjustments on your heater. There are models that can be adjusted 45 degrees up and down. There are also types that can be set at 90 degrees to the left or right. This is more convenient because they allow you to direct the heat at a certain window or area.

4.) If you want to solve your problems of defrosting, a car heater can help with that since they will typically heat up pretty fast. Most cars have a heated rear window, but the windshield typically isn’t. A portable heater is best used to help to defrost this and other windows. To do so, simply aim the heater in where you want the ice to defrost the fastest.

5.)The last thing you should consider when purchasing your heating equipment for the car is the temperature. I’m not going to lie to you – car heaters cannot replace a built in system, but they can make it more bearable in the Winter. When you consider that most portable heaters draw their power from the lighter socket which can only output 200W – that is not a whole lot of power. Consider going above this rating if possible.

A car heater is a handy product – just don’t expect to get the same benefits as the built in system in your car or else you will be disappointed. However, if your heating system is broken (and very, very expensive to fix!) then they are surely better than having no heating at all.

An auxiliary car heater is a useful addition to your car during the cold winter months, especially if your car has to sit outside overnight. These heaters can be plugged into an outside outlet or even into an extension cord that runs inside. Either turn it on while getting ready in the morning or use a timer and your car will be warm and your windows defrosted when you are ready to leave.

There are 2 categories of auxiliary heaters. Those that are designed to be plugged into a standard 120 volt household outlet and those that plug into a 12 volt cigarette lighter. There are 2 heaters that stand out in these categories.

In the 120 volt heaters one of the best I have found is the Kats Car Heater. This is a powerful 900 watt heater that can be plugged into any household outlet. This heater is powerful enough to not only defrost all the vehicle windows but will warm the entire passenger compartment as well. A good way to use this heater is to plug it into a timer. Set the timer to come on while you are getting ready for work in the morning. By the time you are ready to leave, your car should be toasty warm inside and ready to go. It has a small, slim design that will complement virtually any car interior. It also comes with a 12 month warranty for peace of mind. Keep in mind when installing this heater that it is powerful, therefore be sure to keep anything flammable from in front of the heater.

In the 12 volt category, a good choice is the Peak 2 in 1 heater/defroster. As the name suggests, this heater can be used to defrost your car windows and may also be used as a personal heater wherever it is needed. At less than 2 pounds, this heater is lightweight enough to be moved anywhere. It has a multi-position base so the heat can be directed wherever it is needed. Because it plugs into a 12 volt outlet it is not as powerful as the Kats Car Heater, however, at 152 watts it has plenty of power to defrost windows and keep your feet warm when the cat’s heater just can’t keep up.

Whatever your needs, one of these heaters will certainly help keep you warm on all of those cold winter days.

For individuals who live in a cold climate, the ability for their automobile to maintain a comfortable level of heating and remain draft free is not an option. Cold weather necessitates adequate heat to ensure a safe driving experience. Defrosting your car might be a lengthy process in some model of cars, and that’s when a portable car heater could work to your advantage.

There have been numerable advances in auto technology over the years. Accessories for every convenience and need can be found at a wide variety of prices to fit every budget. When looking for portability in providing on-the-spot heat when you need it, there are several factors to consider.

Because these accessible heaters will plug into your 12-volt cigarette lighter, it’s obviously convenient. An advancement in technology, this is more than a novelty item. The beauty of this product is that it will aid in defrosting and defogging your car’s windows on frigid days when you have no time to wait for your car to heat up. It will keep feet warm and toasty as well. The main objective is to opt for a optimal quality unit, not a poorly constructed bargain.

Most have the capability to be mounted on the dashboard, either by screwing the unit into a designated spot, or fastening with an adhesive-type material. Also ensure the cord has sufficient length to reach passengers in back. In some larger model SUVs or RVs this should particularly be considered.

You’ll want to stay away from models with low output, as this will fall short of its intended purpose. This is not intended to replace your car’s heating system, but to aid in
situations such as main heat source failure. As previously mentioned, it’s great for speedy defrosting/defogging as well. A high input device will obviously work best.

Many models offer a swiveling base, which allows more freedom for airflow to reach all areas. As with many electronic-type equipment and accessories, some motors will be noisier than others. Purchase one with a quiet motor for less distraction while driving.

There are other essential components to consider as well. A unit which has a thermostat function built-in will obviously be advantageous. More importantly is to choose a model that has a safety switch installed. In the event of overheating or being tipped over, it will automatically shut down. In testing out a particular model, ensure the exterior body will stay cool to the touch when heated to the maximum levels.

In conclusion, these peripherals can enhance your driving experience if you know what to look for. Being consumer savvy when shopping for portable car heaters will ensure you and your passengers will enjoy the ride!

Many climates have weather so cold, that a car’s standard heater alone just doesn’t seem to work enough to warm it’s occupants. When this is the case, a supplemental source of heat might be wanted to make traveling more comfortable. A ceramic car heater is one of the more efficient ways of adding some extra warmth to the car’s interior. Although manufacturers build safety features into the product, some extra precautions are to be followed to ensure safety while using them.

There are some standard ways to be safe while using a small car heater. Because these devices are small, they are to be used as supplemental heat rather than the primary source. Chose one that has a sticker marked with “UL”, which indicates it has been tested and certified as safe by a laboratory. Always read the manual which comes with the heater, and follow the safety instructions given by the manufacturer. It might be a good idea to do some research, and find consumer reviews along with any recalls that have been made on the product.

Things to consider may not always be from a source you can read. Use common sense, such as not mounting the device where it can slide and tumble which will distract from driving. Always unplug the heater, when it is not being used, even if it has an ‘off’ switch. Of course, be sure that the heater is compatible with your car and it’s source of power so that it can run properly. Despite the fact that most ceramic heaters are made to not rise above 300 degrees, do not put anything nearby which can catch fire such as paper or other loose materials.

After some use, even the most well made things will stop working for some reason. Never use a damaged heater, as it may cause further malfunction and become more of a hazard, such as nicked or frayed power cords or cracked casings. Have a professional repair any equipment, both for the fact it can pose hazards and may void some warranties if the consumer tries to fix it themselves. It may be better to simply replace a worn-out device, rather than trying to salvage an older one which may not be worth the repairs.

It does not take much effort to follow these safety tips, and a warm car will be much more enjoyable without worry of hazards.

Car heating systems have been around for a long time, although they have obviously changed a lot over the course of automobile history. Portable heaters like the ones used in horse drawn carriages were the first types of heaters to be used, but they eventually gave way to newer designs that used the car’s own heat and air to warm the interior. Our modern design is most closely related to a radiator and fan heating system that was developed in the early 20th century.

There are a variety of different types of car heaters. A basic heating system in modern cars is set by manual dashboard controls. These have dials and switches that change the temperature of the heat, the strength of the fan and where the heat is being directed in the car, i.e. to the windshield, the feet, the passengers, etc. Often these days there will even be separate controls for the driver and the passengers so that everyone’s comfort needs are met.

There are also automatic climate control systems available. One can choose specific settings for the temperature of the car using buttons on the system’s interface that tell it where to direct air, how strongly, and at what specific temperature. Once this is set the climate control system uses sensors to determine the existing temperature of the car and then work to change it to the desired temperature.

Just like the old days there are still portable car heaters available as well, although we’ve come a long way from gas lamps. These days you can find heaters that either attach directly to your battery or plug into your 12 volt cigarette lighter. Some are meant for the car in general, or the backseat. Other smaller units are meant more for defrosting windows than heating the entire car. They are not meant to replace a malfunctioning heating system, they’re intended to supplement your existing system to get more warm air flowing.

With the variety of different types of car heaters available to modern drivers, the days of open cabins and gas lamp heat are far behind us. Drivers have multiple choices intended to provide the best and most convenient comfort for the climate of their vehicle. Whether you invest in an automated climate control system or choose a simple manual control you can even add portable heaters to make your car as comfortable as your own home.