Your Quick-Fire Guide to Dimplex Heating, Cooling & Thermostats

I manage purchasing for a 50-person office. Over the last four years, I’ve placed maybe 200 orders for heating and cooling equipment—give or take a few dozen. When someone walks into my office and says “it’s freezing in conference room B” or “the server room is running hot,” I don’t have time for a textbook research session. So here are the questions I actually ask—and the answers I’ve learned the hard way.

1. What’s the real cost of rushing a Dimplex order?

Answer: More than the shipping label suggests—but sometimes it’s still the smartest money you’ll spend.

I paid $400 extra for rush delivery on a Dimplex ceramic tower heater last March. Standard was $50. The alternative? Missing a $15,000 client event where three executives were supposed to be comfortable. That’s a no-brainer. But here’s what I didn’t expect: the rush fee didn’t just buy speed, it bought accountability. The vendor prioritized my order and actually called me when it shipped. No “probably on time” promises—I had a tracking number and a delivery window. For deadline-critical purchases, I’ve learned that uncertain savings are more expensive than certain premiums. (Note to self: budget for this next year instead of panicking.)

2. When is the rush fee not worth it?

Answer: When the equipment isn’t actually needed for weeks—and you’re paying for urgency out of habit.

I still kick myself for a decision in 2023. We needed a Dimplex dehumidifier for a new storage area. Construction was delayed three weeks, but I’d already paid the rush shipping premium. The unit sat in its box for a month. I’d have saved $120 just by choosing standard delivery and updating the order later. Now I always confirm the real availability date before clicking “expedite.” It’s become a reflex: “So, when do you actually need heat in that room? Next week? Then let’s not rush.”

3. Outdoor heating—which Dimplex unit actually works for a patio?

Answer: Look at the BTUs, not just the “outdoor” label. For a 200-300 sq ft patio, 5,000 BTUs won’t cut it.

We bought a Dimplex outdoor-infrared heater for our break area after someone complained about winter smoke breaks. I almost went with a smaller model based on price—$239 vs. $389. Then I checked reviews and saw people saying it barely warmed a 12x12 space. We went with the larger unit. It works, barely, on a windy day. That’s my honest take: outdoor heating is always a compromise. Expect to feel warmth within 4-6 feet, not a full-room effect. If you need serious heat for a commercial patio (like for an event), consider renting propane units instead. The Dimplex is fine for a single table, but don’t oversell it.

4. Is the Dimplex ceramic tower heater really different from a cheap fan heater?

Answer: In my experience? Yes. The difference shows up after the first year.

I bought a $30 fan heater for a temporary desk in 2021. It stopped oscillating after three months and made a noise like a blender by month six. The Dimplex ceramic tower heater I replaced it with? Still running, still quiet, still oscillating. Ceramic heating elements are more durable than wire elements, and the overall build quality means I haven’t had to explain a broken heater to my facility manager. It’s not the cheapest upfront option—roughly $80-120 depending on features—but that’s cheaper than buying two cheap ones in a year. Plus, the programmable thermostat lets me set it to turn off after lunch so we don’t heat an empty room. That kind of control adds up.

5. What about the blower motor in a Dimplex heater—does it break?

Answer: Blower motors are the most common failure point in ANY fan-forced heater. Not just Dimplex.

I had a unit fail last winter. The heating element still glowed, but the fan wouldn’t spin. I called our vendor expecting a nightmare. Turns out: Dimplex sells replacement motor assemblies for most models. Cost was about $45. Labor was 20 minutes for my facilities guy. Compare that to buying a whole new heater ($120+) or calling an HVAC tech ($200+ just for a service call). Moral: if your blower motor goes, don’t toss the unit. Check if you can swap the motor. I almost made the classic rookie mistake of assuming “broken = replace.” Now I ask first.

6. The Honeywell thermostat in our office—how do I actually set it?

Answer: Forget the manual. Here’s the shortcut that works for 90% of Honeywell models.

We use Honeywell thermostats for our central system, but the first time I tried to reprogram one for daylight saving time, I spent 20 minutes reading a booklet that contradicted itself. Here’s what actually works for most Honeywell models (including the one controlling our Dimplex zone heater): press and hold the “Menu” button for 5 seconds until the display flashes “System Setup.” Use the up/down arrows to find “Schedule,” then set the times. On the T4 and T5 models, you hold “Set” for 3 seconds. (Not the same button—I learned that the hard way when nothing happened.) If you’re in a hurry, just switch to “Hold Permanent” mode to override the program until you have time to fix it. That saved me from a cold morning when I couldn’t figure it out.

7. Should I buy Dimplex cooling products too, or stick with a different brand?

Answer: For a small office (< 10 people?), a Dimplex tower fan or portable chiller is fine. For a full floor, go with a dedicated HVAC contractor.

We tested a Dimplex cooling fan in our IT closet—it kept the server rack 5°F cooler on its highest setting. Works as advertised. But for open-plan cooling? Not the same league as a central unit. I’ve seen people try to cool 20-person offices with portable units and end up with a hot room and a noisy corner. Dimplex does cooling, and it’s decent for targeted spots. But know what you’re buying: spot cooling, not whole-room AC. If that matches your need, go for it. If you’re expecting summer relief for 20 desks, you’ll be disappointed. I’d rather be honest about that than oversell.

Last updated: February 2025. Product availability and pricing may vary; verify current models and local distributor stock.