How To Choose A Space Heater – 9 Important Factors To Know!
Selecting the right space heater for your home is crucial as it ensures your comfort and health during the winter season. Adequate heating is essential to prevent illnesses like colds and ensure a cozy environment.
Space heaters offer a quick and efficient heating solution. They utilize convection heating, warming the surrounding air, causing it to rise and circulate throughout the room, providing a consistent and comforting warmth.
One of the significant advantages of using a space heater is its energy efficiency compared to central heating systems. This cost-effectiveness becomes especially beneficial during winter when heating expenses tend to be higher. By opting for a space heater, you can effectively manage your energy consumption and reduce heating costs.
How to choose a space heater?
When the question arises, How to Choose a Space Heater, you must be focusing on the below mentioned 9 important factors that you need to know.
1. Types of heater:
Before purchasing a space heater, it’s crucial to consider your specific needs and requirements to ensure you select the most suitable type of heater for your space. Different types of heaters are available, each offering distinct features and benefits.
FAN-FORCED HEATER:
Fan-forced heaters come in various stylish designs and use a fan to distribute heat evenly throughout the room, providing quick warmth. They are a budget-friendly option, but they may generate more noise compared to other heater types.
OIL-FILLED HEATER:
Oil-filled heaters, also known as radiant heaters, are common and operate quietly as heat is emitted from their surface without the need for a fan. They are efficient at quickly heating small spaces but may take a bit longer to warm up an entire room. These heaters are perfect for bedrooms due to their quiet operation and provide effective heating. They often come with temperature control and automatic shut-off features, ensuring safety.
INFRARED HEATERS:
Infrared heaters have a stylish design and use photons as an energy source to produce invisible light that directly heats specific objects and individuals in its path. They are suitable for small spaces or individual use. However, they primarily warm up objects and people rather than the air, so the warmth may dissipate once the heater is turned off.
MICATHERMIC PANEL HEATERS:
Micathermic panel heaters are lightweight and quickly start up. They combine convection and radiant heat, effectively distributing warm air throughout the entire room. These heaters are known for their silent operation and use the room’s airflow to circulate heat, making them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. They are well-suited for offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, and other small areas.
2. Style of heater:
After choosing the type, now it’s time for selecting the style of the space heater as it varies a lot. There is a variety in the style of the heaters, below is a list of some common styles.
BASEBOARD HEATER:
Baseboard heaters are an excellent option for providing steady, even heat in a space-efficient manner. They are easy to install and can be placed along the baseboard of a wall, taking up minimal space in the room. These heaters operate silently and are lightweight, making them convenient to move around if needed. Baseboard heaters are also considered safe, as they don’t have any exposed heating elements. They are a popular choice for whole-house heating or as supplemental heating in specific rooms.
COMPACT HEATER:
Compact heaters are designed for heating small areas, making them ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, office cubicles, dorm rooms, or any other confined spaces. Despite their small size, these heaters can deliver efficient and targeted heating. They are often portable, allowing easy mobility from one location to another. Compact heaters are convenient solutions for providing warmth in areas where larger heating systems might be unnecessary or impractical.
TOWER HEATER:
Tower heaters are versatile and efficient heaters that can quickly produce heat. They are usually slim and tall in design, resembling a tower. Their portability allows you to move them around easily to heat different areas in your home or office. Tower heaters are capable of heating a room relatively quickly and can provide warmth to multiple people in a room. They are a popular choice for various living spaces, offering convenience and effective heating.
WALL HEATER:
Wall heaters are a practical heating option for households with pets or children, as they can be installed securely out of their reach. These heaters are typically smaller and lighter than other types, making them easy to mount on walls. Wall heaters are excellent space savers and can provide cost-friendly supplemental heating to living spaces like bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, etc. They are particularly useful for areas where floor space is limited, and you want to keep the heater safely out of the way.
3. Size of the heater:
You are absolutely right; choosing the right size of the heater is crucial to ensure efficient heating and avoid unnecessary energy consumption. Oversized heaters can lead to wastage of energy, while undersized heaters may not be able to provide adequate warmth for the intended space.
For larger areas like family rooms, it’s essential to consider larger or standard-sized heaters that have the capacity to efficiently heat the space. These heaters can provide warmth to a larger area within a relatively short time, ensuring a comfortable environment for everyone in the room.
On the other hand, for smaller spaces like bedrooms or rooms around 50-100 sq ft, opting for a smaller-sized heater is more appropriate. These compact heaters are designed to efficiently heat smaller areas, making them perfect for bedrooms and other confined spaces.
Additionally, it’s essential to be mindful of the climate and weather conditions in your area. In snowy regions or colder climates, heaters may need to work harder and consume more energy to maintain the desired temperature, so it’s essential to consider the heating capacity accordingly.
Before purchasing a heater, it’s advisable to carefully study the product guide and specifications to ensure that you select the right size that matches your specific heating needs. This way, you can make the most of your heater’s efficiency, keep your energy consumption in check, and save money on your electric bills.
4. Safety feature:
Absolutely, safety should be a top priority when purchasing and using a space heater. Space heaters can be a potential fire hazard if not used correctly or if they lack essential safety features. To ensure the safety of your home and loved ones, it’s crucial to choose a space heater that includes the following preventative measures:
Overheat Protection: A reliable space heater should have built-in overheat protection. This safety feature automatically shuts off the heater if it reaches a dangerous temperature, preventing the risk of overheating and potential fires.
Tip-Over Protection: Tip-over protection is another essential safety feature. This mechanism automatically turns off the heater if it is accidentally knocked over or tipped, reducing the risk of burns and fire hazards.
Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain your space heater to ensure that it is in good working condition. Check for any damaged parts, frayed cords, or loose connections. If you notice any issues, do not use the heater until it is repaired or replaced.
Keep Flammable Materials Away: Avoid placing flammable materials or liquids near the heater. Ensure that there are no curtains, blankets, or other combustible items in close proximity to the heater.
Look for Safety Certifications: Always choose a space heater that is approved by a recognized testing laboratory such as UL (Underwriters Laboratory), ETL (Intertek), or CSA (Canadian Standards Association). These certifications ensure that the heater has undergone rigorous safety testing to verify its construction and performance.
5. Noise level:
Absolutely, noise levels can be an important consideration when choosing a space heater, especially if you plan to use it in quiet environments like bedrooms or offices where excessive noise can be disruptive. Here are some points to keep in mind regarding noise levels of different types of heaters:
Silent Heaters: Baseboard heaters and oil-filled radiators are known for their silent operation. These types of heaters do not have fans, which means they do not produce any noise during their operation. They are an excellent choice for areas where quietness is a priority, such as bedrooms or offices where you need a peaceful environment for sleep or work.
Radiant Heaters: Radiant heaters, whether oil-filled or infrared heaters, are also generally quiet as they do not use fans to distribute heat. Instead, they emit heat directly to objects and people in their vicinity. These heaters are ideal for spot heating and can provide focused warmth without generating any noise.
Fan-Forced Heaters: Fan-forced heaters, on the other hand, do use fans to circulate warm air throughout the room. While they are efficient at heating large spaces quickly, they can produce some noise due to the fan’s operation. However, many modern fan-forced heaters are designed to operate quietly, making them suitable for whole-room heating without being overly disruptive.
Consider Decibel Levels: When shopping for a space heater, you may find models that provide information about their decibel (dB) levels during operation. Lower decibel levels indicate quieter operation. If noise is a concern for you, look for heaters with lower dB ratings.
6. Energy Efficiency:
Absolutely, choosing an energy-efficient space heater can have a significant impact on your electricity bills and help you save money in the long run. Here are some key points to consider when selecting an energy-efficient heater:
Proper Size: As you mentioned, choosing the right size heater for your space is essential for energy efficiency. An undersized heater may need to work harder to heat a larger room, leading to higher energy consumption and costs. On the other hand, an oversized heater may cycle on and off frequently, wasting energy. Consider the square footage of the room and choose a heater with an appropriate heating capacity.
Energy Consumption Calculation: The formula you provided (Watts X Hours of use / 1,000 X cost per kilowatt-hour = Cost of operation) is a great way to estimate the cost of operating a space heater. This can help you compare the energy efficiency of different models and make an informed decision.
Thermostat and Multiple Heat Settings: Look for space heaters with adjustable thermostats and multiple heat settings. A thermostat allows the heater to maintain a consistent temperature, preventing excessive energy usage. Multiple heat settings allow you to customize the heat output based on your comfort needs, helping to reduce energy consumption.
Low Wattage: Space heaters with lower wattage are generally more energy-efficient. Look for heaters with the Energy Star label, which indicates that they meet specific energy efficiency criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Programmable Timers: A programmable timer can be a valuable feature to have in a space heater. It allows you to set specific times for the heater to turn on and off automatically, ensuring it operates only when needed.
Additional Energy-Saving Features: Some heaters come with additional energy-saving features, such as eco modes or sleep settings, which further optimize energy usage.
7. Features:
Indeed, modern space heaters come equipped with a variety of features that enhance comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. Here is a summary of some key features to look for when choosing the best space heater:
THERMOSTAT- ENERGY SAVER:
A thermostat allows you to set your desired temperature, and the heater will automatically maintain that level of warmth, conserving energy and preventing overheating.
TIMER:
A timer function lets you schedule when the heater should turn on or off, providing convenience and helping to save energy.
POWER CORD:
A sufficient power cord length gives you flexibility in placing the heater without needing an extension cord, improving safety.
EASY MOBILITY:
Lightweight heaters with handles or wheels are easy to move around the house, allowing you to bring warmth to different areas.
ADJUSTABLE LOUVERS:
Adjustable louvers allow you to direct warm air where you need it, enhancing comfort and heating efficiency.
REMOTE CONTROL:
A remote control provides convenient operation, allowing you to adjust settings without having to approach the heater physically.
AUTO SHUT OFF:
The auto shut-off feature is a crucial safety measure that prevents overheating and fire hazards. It automatically turns off the heater if it tips over or if it detects excessive heat.
COOL TOUCH CASING:
The outer casing of the heater remains cool to the touch, ensuring safety, especially in households with children and pets.
COMPATIBLE WITH HOME INTERIORS:
Heaters with various color options can blend in or complement your home’s interior decor and furniture.
QUIETNESS:
Quiet heaters allow you to enjoy the warmth without unnecessary noise, providing a peaceful environment for work or relaxation.
9. Space Heater Pros n Cons:
Pros:
- Space heaters do not have exposed components causing short-circuiting or fire, etc.
- They provide quick heating due to the use of element heating technology in them.
- They have a constant heating effect even when they are turned off.
- They are light in weight, portable, and can easily be moved from one point to another.
- They conserve energy and keep the amount of your electricity bill low.
Cons:
- These are for temporary use only.
- They work well in ideal working conditions. Premises where there is not enough insulation, the space heaters will not work up to the desired level.
- They take considerable time to cool off and continue to emit heat even when they are turned off. Although looks good, mostly this feature leads to user’s inconvenience.
10. Space Heater Safety Tips:
Below we have mentioned 20 space heater safety tips that will ensure better performance for a longer period of time.
Conclusion:
First by determining what the space and heating requirement works best for you while opting to buy a space heater. With such things in mind, you can make a rational decision based on which your space heater proves to be cost-effective besides providing you with convenience and safety too.