Space Heaters

It's important to be ready for cold winter weather. Space heaters  can take the chill out of rooms that don't get enough heat otherwise. They can also help reduce heating costs and keep you comfortable year round.

It is important to be familiar with safe operating instructions for space heaters, because they can cause fire or burns if used incorrectly. For more information, please see the External Links section at the bottom of the page.

Recommended Products

Here are a few recommendations from ConsumerSearch. All of the recommendations are for electric heaters.

Best Oil-Filled Heater DeLonghi TRD0715T	Best Small Portable Heater with Fan DeLonghi DFH2550TB Oscillating Fan Heater	Best Radiant Heater W.B. Marvin 2060 Radiant Heater	Best Compact Radiant Heater Soleus MS-12 Reflective Heater

Buying a Heater

The one spec that all heaters have in common is their heat output, which is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) or in Watts (W).

• Your average electric space heater will have a few settings. The lowest is usually around 500 to 750 W, and the highest is about 1500 W or 5000 BTUs. The low setting will warm an average room, while the high setting is for large rooms of 1000 sq. feet or more.
• Non-electric heaters can produce significantly more heat -- a large patio heater can kick out as much as 45,000 BTUs!

Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are really the only choice for indoor use. Other fuel types can release dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide. There is a greater chance of a fuel fire or explosion with other types of heaters.

Convection Heaters

Convection heaters are your best bet if you want to raise the temperature of an entire room. Convection heaters, much like convection ovens, heat and circulate warm air to heat the entire space. There are two kinds of convection heaters.

Natural Convection Heaters Use the air currents in the room to circulate warm air. Take a little longer to warm the entire space. They are very quiet. The most popular natural convection heaters are oil filled. They resemble an old-fashioned radiator and are filled with oiling and heating elements. These heaters are very popular because they are reliable, stable, quiet and efficient. The outside can get warm but not hot (reducing the chance of accidental burns). They can be slow to heat up, but once warm they will stay warm. They may be heavy. If you opt for a heavy, oil-filled heater, make sure to get a model with casters so it is easy to move. These are sealed units so the oil never needs to be changed.

Forced Convection Heater Forced convection heaters work on the same principle as a natural convection heater but they use a fan to circulate warm air more rapidly. They can be noisy to operate but they warm a space quickly. Some can also be used as fans without the heating element turned on. Significantly lighter than an oil-filled heater, convection heaters can weigh as little as three lbs.

Radiant Heaters

Radiant heaters heat objects instead of air. They produce infrared light which is then absorbed by objects nearby, warming them. They will eventually heat a space, but it is not their primary purpose. They are usually used for small areas of the room. These tend to be lightweight. The downside is they can easily tip over. New heaters often have tip sensors that will shut the heater off if it falls over. This is an important safety feature that may not be present on older models. They can be noisy which may be a problem in bedrooms. These heaters produce a small amount of light which may be undesirable. Some models have fans or can oscillate from side to side to evenly warm an area.

Non-Electric Heaters

Heaters that use fuels other than electricity are usually only used outdoors or in areas that are not inhabited, such as a garage. Heaters that use kerosene, liquid propane or natural gas are not recommended for enclosed areas. They burn through the oxygen in the room, creating poor air quality, and can release dangerous gases like carbon monoxide.

Patio heaters are basically more attractive versions of the same. They are meant to be used outdoors on cool evenings. Wood-burning heaters are almost exclusively used as patio heaters because they are attractive and inexpensive.

Kerosene heaters  use a wick that soaks up kerosene (only K-1 kerosene) from a refillable tank. Double the heating capacity of an electric heater -- ideal for heating large areas like a garage or patio. Look for a model with an automatic shut-off feature.	Natural gas  or LP heaters  work by hooking up to your natural gas line or propane cylinder. Some are wall mounted, some come with a base. Also available as patio heaters (pictured). Very efficient. Ideal for heating large garages.	Wood-burning space heaters  are an efficient source of heat as they safely warm your entire house without running up your electricity bill. To install, you'll need a chimney system that extends above your roof line. If you have this, though, it may find it to be worth it. Much more effective than a regular fireplace. Almost exclusively used on patios.

Safety

When using space heaters, it's important to be aware of the risks involved and how to prevent accidents. Here are some guidelines to follow to maximize your safety:

• Select a space heater with a guard around the heating area to keep children, pets and clothing away from the heat source.
• Keep all flammable liquids away from the heater.
• Place the heater at least three feet away from bedding, furniture, curtains, or anything else that could fall on the heater and cause a fire.
• Never leave the heater unattended.
• Look for a heater that has been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriter's Laboratory. This way you can be sure that specific safety standards have been met.
• If you use a heater that burns kerosene, LP, natural gas or wood, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector installed on every floor of your house.
• When purchasing natural gas or LP heaters, look for a model with an oxygen depletion sensor feature. These sensors will automatically shut the heater down when it detects the air is low on oxygen.

Other Features

In addition to the safety features mentioned above, here are a few other things that are nice to have.

• Thermostat -- so you don't have to wait until it's cold in the room to turn on the heater.
• 24-hour Timer -- have your heater warm up before you get out of bed in the morning and getting up won't be such a chore.
• Independent Fan -- models with fans can sometimes run the fan without the heater. This makes the appliance useful year round.
• Mobility -- make sure that you can easily move and position the heater, especially if it is a heavy oil-filled model.Casters will help.
• Lighter models may have carrying handles.
• Freeze-guard -- auto-starts the heater if air temperature drops below freezing.

Related Products

Electric Fans	Dehumidifiers	Humidifiers	Air Conditioners	Carbon Monoxide Detectors

External Links

• CPSC.gov -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission's safety guidelines.
• UL.com -- The Underwriter's Laboratory's safety testing information.
• Recalls.gov -- every year there are new recalls for space heaters, so it's important to know if your model is safe. Search for "Electric Heaters" or "Kerosene/Propane/Wood Heaters" to see the most recent recalls.