Tips to Help You Buy a Good Portable Car Heater

Car heaters provide auxiliary heat in cold weather and almost instantly defrost the windshield. They help in making the inside of the vehicle warm and comfortable. They are a great and essential accessory for motor homes, camping trips or when working in cold conditions.

Portable car heaters come in 12-volt variety which can be directly plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. They draw power from the car battery when the vehicle engine is turned on, making it easy to drive and work in freezing temperatures. Besides providing warmth, the 12-volt heaters also help in defrosting the windows, so you don’t have to stand in the cold scraping it off. One can even procure a battery-powered heater to use when the vehicle is not in motion, useful especially when camping outdoors.

Here are some of the most important tips to keep in mind when purchasing a portable 12-volt car heater.

·     Size and Design: One should ensure that the heater’s size and design is such that it can be easily accommodated in the vehicle for continuous use. Car heaters come in ergonomic designs that make it possible to place them on the dashboard on a 360° swivel base for positioning in any direction. A power cord of sufficient length ensures that the heater can be placed in different spots in the car so that everyone benefits from heating.

·       Safety and Transportability: Features like battery guards and adjustable thermostats make 12-volt heaters safe to use within the confines of a vehicle, ensuring that the heater does not cause a fire hazard. A lightweight model with rubberized handle provides a safe grip for easy carrying. Many of them are small enough that they fit in a traveling bag while others can be placed in the glove box or even under the seat. Pick a size that will suit your requirements.

·      Features: Standard features of a high-efficiency car heater include LED power indicator and long insulated power cord. The auto safety limit switch stops heating beyond a set temperature preventing fire and untoward accidents. Some models have a built-in LED flashlight, and others come with a swing-out retractable handle allowing the heater to be used as hand-held spot defroster. Heaters have a fire-resistant high-quality plastic body and sometimes come in steel frames. Models with fans have different speed settings and have a choice of ‘heat’ and ‘fan-only’ modes, allowing them to be used as fans in the summer.