AlJames infra red heating is ok in certain circumstances. I’ve fitted some above reception desks near high traffic doors and they work well as the heat isn’t lost when the doors open. The only problem is being that they are very directional, so if you are not stood/sat in the right area you won’t feel it. Also, thermostats don’t tend to work well with them so they can end up staying in for a long time reducing the efficiency of the install.
For the home, I’d recommend a reasonably smart/thermostat controlled oil filled radiator. They take a bit of time to heat up and can be pretty energy hungry, but they are (like most electrical heating) 100% efficient and kick out the most usable heat. A good timer setup will make it warm when you need to use the room.
Cheap convection heaters send a load of overheated air upwards and fan heaters reduce heat output by cooling the air with a fan!
