When homeowners and apartment dwellers start to feel the chill of winter and
the chilling effect it has on their pocketbooks, the first line of defense is always
the tried and true portable space heater.
For the purposes of this guide, I'm going to define a portable space heater as
an electric radiant or electric convection heater, costing less than $100, and
having a maximum heat output of 1500 watts.
99% of all space heaters are rated at 1,500 watts. This is enough power to
comfortably heat 150 square feet. Any space heater with a fan will heat a
room 3 times faster than one without.
Overall, oil filled heaters are deemed the safest and the only type allowed in
college dorms.
The nationwide average cost to operate a 1,500 watt space heater is 13 cents
per hour.
All of the following portable space heater reviews are rated an average
minimum of 4 out of 5 stars by consumer reviewers.
Electric Radiant Space Heaters
Radiant heaters work like the sun by warming people and objects. Radiant
heaters without fans are not designed to heat an entire room, but excel at
providing instant heat for one or two people.
Two examples of radiant heaters without fans are radiant heat panels and
parabolic heaters. The Presto Parabolic Heat Dish is a cost effective choice for
workshops or garages when you want to heat just you and not the entire
building.
Radiant heat panels are constructed with the heating element embedded in
the panel. By virtue of their simplicity, they are safe, reliable and maintenance
free.
The Cozy Legs radiant heat panel, with only 100 watts of heat output is by no
means a whole room heater, but performs admirably when installed under a
desk or hung on the wall to warm a bird cage.
The next group of space heaters are equipped with fans to provide whole
room heat.
Quartz Infrared Heaters
Quartz infrared heaters can cost as little as $50, or as much as $400 for the
SunTwin or EdenPure heaters. The SunTwin brand features copper heat
exchangers for consistent, non drying heat; fan assisted heat for larger
spaces, and a lifetime washable filter.
The less expensive Marvin 1500 watt quartz heater uses replaceable quartz
tubes in front of a reflector and a fan to project whole room heat. Quartz
heating elements reduce positive ions in the air and consume very little
oxygen. Reviews say this heater works extremely well. The security locked grill
swings out for easy quartz tube replacement. Replacement tubes are readily
available for $9.99 each.
Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters come in a wide variety of models: fixed, tower, oscillating and
pedestal. Please read the accompanying ceramic space heater article for a
brief description of each and how they are used.
One of the most popular and inexpensive of these is the Honeywell HZ-315.
Weighing in at only 3.3 pounds, it's the mighty mite of space heaters capable
of quickly heating small to mid-sized rooms.
A specialized version of the ceramic heater is the remote controlled Soleus Air
MS-20A. The cool to the touch exterior, even heat, and wall mounting feature
make it a favorite for nurseries.
Electric Fireplaces
The electric fireplace is a romantic and more expensive version of the typical
space heater. Since most models use a similar 1,500 watt heater, the cost of
individual fireplaces is determined by the cabinet/mantle design and other
enhancements.
Although you could spend $2,300 for a cast marble cabinet, it's hard to beat
the beauty and quality construction (170lb) of the ProCom 177941 electric
fireplace for $450. Price includes the blower, log set and on/off remote control.
If you're serious about buying an electric fireplace, please read the companion
article Electric Fireplace Space Heaters.
Electric Stoves
Similar to the electric fireplace, an electric stove is a radiant, fan assisted
space heater installed in a decorative housing. The most popular model by far
with consumers is the Dimplex CS3311 compact electric stove.
Electric Convection Space Heaters
When you want to heat an entire room, like a family room, a convection heater
will provide warmth to an entire room rather than spot heat for one or two
people. The following heaters are classified as convection heaters.
Oil Filled Heaters
Oil filled heaters are some of the safest space heaters in use today. So much
so, many Universities prohibit the use of any other type of space heater in
their dormitories.
The Delonghi TRD0715T Safe Heat Oil-Filled Radiator has many enthusiastic
users. This oil filled heater is clean, energy efficient, quiet and works well at
heating small to medium sized rooms. Retractable wheels allow you to easily
move or store the device. The exterior of the Delonghi space heater is hot to
the touch, but not nearly hot enough to injure yourself if you bump into it.
Micathermic Heaters
Micathermic flat panel heaters are a lighter and faster heating alternative
to traditional oil column heaters.
The versatile micathermic heater can be used with casters as a floor heater or
hung on the wall like a picture. The ability to hang a space heater on the wall
is an obvious benefit to households with small children or pets.
The space saving profile and waterproof construction of a micathermic heater
also makes it a good choice for taking the chill off the bathroom on a frosty
morning.
Fan Forced Convection Heaters
If you're looking for space heater Nirvana, the Vornado DVTH is most likely to
get you there the quickest. Unlike its predecessor, the Vornado DVH, which
was subject to frequent breakdowns and a recall, the DVTH's Vortex heat
dispersion will safely and reliably heat up to 600 square feet in about 20
minutes.
The exterior is cool to the touch and the tightly scrolled grillwork keeps little
fingers out of harm's way. The fan must be placed on a level floor and is not
intended for use on desks or counter tops.
the chilling effect it has on their pocketbooks, the first line of defense is always
the tried and true portable space heater.
For the purposes of this guide, I'm going to define a portable space heater as
an electric radiant or electric convection heater, costing less than $100, and
having a maximum heat output of 1500 watts.
99% of all space heaters are rated at 1,500 watts. This is enough power to
comfortably heat 150 square feet. Any space heater with a fan will heat a
room 3 times faster than one without.
Overall, oil filled heaters are deemed the safest and the only type allowed in
college dorms.
The nationwide average cost to operate a 1,500 watt space heater is 13 cents
per hour.
All of the following portable space heater reviews are rated an average
minimum of 4 out of 5 stars by consumer reviewers.
Electric Radiant Space Heaters
Radiant heaters work like the sun by warming people and objects. Radiant
heaters without fans are not designed to heat an entire room, but excel at
providing instant heat for one or two people.
Two examples of radiant heaters without fans are radiant heat panels and
parabolic heaters. The Presto Parabolic Heat Dish is a cost effective choice for
workshops or garages when you want to heat just you and not the entire
building.
Radiant heat panels are constructed with the heating element embedded in
the panel. By virtue of their simplicity, they are safe, reliable and maintenance
free.
The Cozy Legs radiant heat panel, with only 100 watts of heat output is by no
means a whole room heater, but performs admirably when installed under a
desk or hung on the wall to warm a bird cage.
The next group of space heaters are equipped with fans to provide whole
room heat.
Quartz Infrared Heaters
Quartz infrared heaters can cost as little as $50, or as much as $400 for the
SunTwin or EdenPure heaters. The SunTwin brand features copper heat
exchangers for consistent, non drying heat; fan assisted heat for larger
spaces, and a lifetime washable filter.
The less expensive Marvin 1500 watt quartz heater uses replaceable quartz
tubes in front of a reflector and a fan to project whole room heat. Quartz
heating elements reduce positive ions in the air and consume very little
oxygen. Reviews say this heater works extremely well. The security locked grill
swings out for easy quartz tube replacement. Replacement tubes are readily
available for $9.99 each.
Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters come in a wide variety of models: fixed, tower, oscillating and
pedestal. Please read the accompanying ceramic space heater article for a
brief description of each and how they are used.
One of the most popular and inexpensive of these is the Honeywell HZ-315.
Weighing in at only 3.3 pounds, it's the mighty mite of space heaters capable
of quickly heating small to mid-sized rooms.
A specialized version of the ceramic heater is the remote controlled Soleus Air
MS-20A. The cool to the touch exterior, even heat, and wall mounting feature
make it a favorite for nurseries.
Electric Fireplaces
The electric fireplace is a romantic and more expensive version of the typical
space heater. Since most models use a similar 1,500 watt heater, the cost of
individual fireplaces is determined by the cabinet/mantle design and other
enhancements.
Although you could spend $2,300 for a cast marble cabinet, it's hard to beat
the beauty and quality construction (170lb) of the ProCom 177941 electric
fireplace for $450. Price includes the blower, log set and on/off remote control.
If you're serious about buying an electric fireplace, please read the companion
article Electric Fireplace Space Heaters.
Electric Stoves
Similar to the electric fireplace, an electric stove is a radiant, fan assisted
space heater installed in a decorative housing. The most popular model by far
with consumers is the Dimplex CS3311 compact electric stove.
Electric Convection Space Heaters
When you want to heat an entire room, like a family room, a convection heater
will provide warmth to an entire room rather than spot heat for one or two
people. The following heaters are classified as convection heaters.
Oil Filled Heaters
Oil filled heaters are some of the safest space heaters in use today. So much
so, many Universities prohibit the use of any other type of space heater in
their dormitories.
The Delonghi TRD0715T Safe Heat Oil-Filled Radiator has many enthusiastic
users. This oil filled heater is clean, energy efficient, quiet and works well at
heating small to medium sized rooms. Retractable wheels allow you to easily
move or store the device. The exterior of the Delonghi space heater is hot to
the touch, but not nearly hot enough to injure yourself if you bump into it.
Micathermic Heaters
Micathermic flat panel heaters are a lighter and faster heating alternative
to traditional oil column heaters.
The versatile micathermic heater can be used with casters as a floor heater or
hung on the wall like a picture. The ability to hang a space heater on the wall
is an obvious benefit to households with small children or pets.
The space saving profile and waterproof construction of a micathermic heater
also makes it a good choice for taking the chill off the bathroom on a frosty
morning.
Fan Forced Convection Heaters
If you're looking for space heater Nirvana, the Vornado DVTH is most likely to
get you there the quickest. Unlike its predecessor, the Vornado DVH, which
was subject to frequent breakdowns and a recall, the DVTH's Vortex heat
dispersion will safely and reliably heat up to 600 square feet in about 20
minutes.
The exterior is cool to the touch and the tightly scrolled grillwork keeps little
fingers out of harm's way. The fan must be placed on a level floor and is not
intended for use on desks or counter tops.
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Alternative-Heating-Info.com
Vented and Unvented Combustion Space Heaters
Decorative Gel Fireplaces
Sam's Guide to Small Space Heaters Part II >
Decorative Gel Fireplaces
Sam's Guide to Small Space Heaters Part II >
Sam's Guide to Small Space Heaters Part I
