Kara Zorn on May 17, 2014 1 Comment Alright, so you need a space heater and you know there are several types on the market to choose from. But which one will suit your needs the best? This guide will explain the different types of space heaters you’ll run across and where they’ll work best. Convection Heaters Convection heaters are the king of the space-heating world when it comes to heating large spaces. These heaters are filled with a heat transfer oil to radiate heat from the external surface area. These heaters are low maintenance, never needing to be refilled, and easy to clean. Heat is regulated with a thermostat and dispersed through the room using the natural airflow, although some come with a fan to help with air movement. Convection heaters are best where quick heat is not a priority and silence is a requirement, this makes them great for bedrooms. Convection heaters are not recommended for families with children or pets since the surfaces of these heaters are hot to the touch. Ideal Locations: Basement areas, living rooms, bedrooms without children or pets Ceramic Fan-Forced Heaters Fan-forced space heaters are some of the most popular on the market. These heaters are the most versatile and have many options available. Oscillation: Heaters are able to remain stationary to spot heat, or can be set to oscillate and disperse heat throughout the room. Timer: Convenient timers allow you allow the heater to run for a specified time amount of time and automatically turn off. Remote Control: Is the room still a little cooler than desired? Adjustments are a breeze with a remote control by your side. Remotes are able to turn the thermostat up or down, activate/deactivate oscillation, and control fan speed among other features. Some remotes contain the heater’s thermostat, measuring temperatures where you are instead of where the heater is. Digital Thermostats: These lighted thermostats are viewable from across the room and with the lights out. Multiple Fan Settings: High and low speeds are found on most heaters enabling rooms to be heated more quickly by using the high setting and using the low setting to saving energy and reduce fan volume. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, these heaters have many uses. Smaller units are perfect for use in the office; larger tower units are able to heat an entire living room or bedroom. Many fan-forced heaters have a cool touch surface and are a safer option when children and pets are involved. Due to fan noise, some may not prefer these for bedrooms. Ideal Locations: Offices, bedrooms, living rooms Radiant & Infrared Heaters Radiant heaters provide immediate heat using infrared rays to warm up objects. These heaters offer direct heat making them perfect for spot heating a portion of the room. They are completely silent and very energy efficient. Infrared heaters have been increasing in popularity because they are able to heat 1,000 square feet as opposed to the 400 square feet of a typical fan-forced heater. Because some are constructed using wood cabinets, they feel more like a piece of furniture rather than an appliance. Because they emit a warm orange light, some may find them not to be suitable for bedrooms. Ideal Locations: Living rooms, offices, small rooms, bedrooms Micathermic Panel Heaters These unique hybrid-heaters release 80% convection heat and 20% direct radiant heat. They are generally lightweight and many models are wall mountable. Like convection heaters, they are silent and put off no light. They use the airflow of the room to circulate heat, which is an advantage to allergy sufferers, as dust is not recirculating through the room. However, they are hot to the touch and not recommended around children or pets. Ideal Locations: Offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, other small rooms Learn More: 4 Benefits of Baseboard Heaters How to Prep Your Furnace for Winter 4 Popular Types of Fireplaces for Small Living Spaces Supplemental Heating: The Easiest Way to Cut Energy Costs in the Fall & Winter
