Oil heaters function by gradually heating the oil contained within a sealed radiator. Unlike convection heaters, their surface temperature is lower, which means it takes a bit more time for them to heat a room. However, an advantage of
oil heaters is that they offer a gentler heating process for the indoor environment. The heating element is not in direct contact with the air that passes through the heater, resulting in less drying of the air compared to heaters where the air directly interacts with the heating element. Regarding energy efficiency, all three technologies—panel heaters, free-standing convection heaters, and
oil radiators—are equally efficient. A power consumption of 100 watts will provide 100 watts of heating output, regardless of the specific type of heater chosen.