Feeling the chill this winter? Even the most well-insulated and energy efficient homes can suffer from the occasional cold spot in a room. As luck would have it, it’s often found in the exact location you’re trying to relax in. Maybe a space heater can fix the problem? Maybe not? We asked our resident expert for some insights into the subject.
Q: What is a space heater and what kinds are available?
A: A space heater is simply a small heating device. They can be electrical or combustion powered and are generally designed to heat a small area or room as a supplemental or standalone heater. They can be freestanding or attached to a wall or ceiling.
Electrically powered models are typically for indoor use. Several varieties are available, but all have a heating element that warms the surrounding air, many have a fan to move the heated air into and around the room. On some, the heating element consists of oil that’s heated and passed through coils.
Combustion powered models burn propane, kerosene or other fuel to produce heat. Often they’re used for space heat on an outdoor patio or as garage heaters, but indoor models for room heat are commonly available as well.
Q: Are space heaters safe?
A: In general, yes, space heaters are safe when used correctly. That hasn’t always been the case. Modern space heaters are required to have a safety device installed that turns off power to the heater if it tips over. Most have automatic shut-offs that either limit the amount of continuous run time, or turn the unit off if the thermostat realizes excessively high temperature.
Although space heaters are much safer than they used to be, they have very hot surfaces. Always keep children and flammables a good distance away from them. It’s also good practice to avoid leaving them unattended for more than very short periods of time.
Q: How long can you leave a space heater on?
A: A modern space heater with an adjustable thermostat can be left on indefinitely. Be certain, however, that yours has the required safety devices and has been certified safe before leaving it on for more than a couple of hours. Look for the UL mark, ETL label or CSA International certification.
Keep in mind that space heaters can be fairly costly to operate. Leaving a space heater running while nobody is in the room is likely a waste of money.
Q: Are space heaters energy efficient?
A: By definition of the word, efficient, yes they are. The vast majority of the energy they consume turns directly into heat. However, to heat even a small space, by way of a space heater, takes a large amount of electrical current or combustible fuel. Some space heaters are engineered to use less energy than others though, and they have improved somewhat over time.
Q: Can you save money on heating costs by using space heaters?
A: This comes down to the amount of space you’re trying to heat. A good rule of thumb is that using a space heater to slightly increase the temperature of one room will require less energy than turning up the thermostat for the entire home. However, the list of variables is immense. If more than one room needs to be heated, it’s usually cheaper to adjust the house’s thermostat.
Q: Which kind of space heater is the best?
A: That depends on what your space heater needs to accomplish. From my experience, combustion heaters are best for garage and outdoor patio heat, while electric, oil-filled radiators produce the most comfortable space heat without drying out the air too much. Infrared, electric heaters are currently regarded as being the most energy efficient.
Q: Are space heaters worth it?
A: Sometimes they are. With the exception of a garage furnace, the only option to heat a garage or patio may be a space heater, in which case they’re easily worth the cost.
The story changes for indoor space heaters. Running an electric space heater to increase a room’s temperature by two degrees for eight hours can cost as much as $120 annually, while turning a thermostat up by the same amount can cost around $100 per year. So, other than the cost of the space heater, it’s really a matter of comfort.
If your home isn’t equipped with the most efficient heating system, properly winterizing it and installing a programmable thermostat are usually your best options for long-term energy savings.
You May Also Be Interested In Electric Water Heaters Available On Home Depot
1
Rheem 18kw Tankless Electric Water Heater
Pricing
$439
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor
Flow Rate
3.51 gal (US)/min
2
Rheem 13kw Tankless Electric Water Heater RTEX-13
Pricing
$299
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor
Flow Rate
2.54 gal (US)/min
3
EcoSmart ECO 27
Pricing
$437
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor
Flow Rate
4.1 gal (US)/min
(Note: All prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)
