There are winter days when it is not necessary to heat the entire house: it is enough to restore a comfortable temperature in the living room while we read, work or watch a movie. We don’t want something that costs a lot to heat, that leaves the smell of gas in the air, and that doesn’t consume much either. And, if it can be pleasant to the eye, then honey on flakes. An option that meets these requirements is the Dreame W20, a tower heater that tries to go one step beyond the classic hot air device. Its design incorporates a 3D flame effect, a humidification function and a heat distribution system designed to reach different points in the room.
With 2,200 watts of maximum power, the W20 uses PTC ceramic heating element and graphene coating. The first allows regulating heat emission depending on temperature; the second favors thermal transfer. According to the manufacturer, it begins to expel hot air in just two seconds and uses two fans to distribute it. It can also oscillate 60 degrees or direct the flow towards a specific area.
The peculiarity is that it not only heats. The device incorporates a removable 800 milliliter tank that feeds a fine mist system with a 360-degree circular outlet. The idea is to offset some of the dry feeling that can accompany heating, especially in closed rooms. It does not replace a larger capacity humidifier, but it combines both functions in the same device. Added to this is LED lighting that simulates the movement of the flames of a fireplace. Of course, it is an aesthetic resource, not an additional source of heat.
The vertical design, 87.8 centimeters high, occupies a small surface area and weighs 4.5 kilos. It is operated from a touch screen or by remote control. It also includes a timer of up to 24 hours and a sensor that automatically adjusts the power according to the selected temperature. In terms of safety, it has protection against overheating, anti-rollover shutdown, child lock and fireproof materials.
But there is a figure that should be looked at before turning it on and it is the one that we all ask ourselves when heating a room: 2,200 W. At maximum power, the W20 consumes 2.2 kilowatt hours for each hour of operation. If we take as reference a price of 0.20 euros per kWh, it means about 44 cents per hour. Two hours a day for a month would represent around 26.40 euros. With a cost of 0.25 euros per kWh, that same routine would rise to 33 euros per month. The actual amount will depend on the contracted rate and how long it works at maximum power.
The thermostat can reduce this consumption when the room reaches the chosen temperature, because the appliance adjusts the power instead of continuously operating at maximum. But it is convenient Do not confuse PTC or graphene technology with miraculous savings: As with electric resistance heaters, practically all the electricity consumed ends up being transformed into heat. The difference in the bill will depend, above all, on the temperature sought, the insulation of the room and the hours of use.