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.
Ninety nine percent 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.
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 Soleus Air MS-09 Oscillating Radiant Heater 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.
"Under the desk" type radiant heat panels don't get many favorable reviews for
their intended purpose, but some owners claim they work well when 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 Sun Twin model features copper heat
exchangers for consistent, non drying heat; fan assisted heat for larger spaces,
and a lifetime washable filter.
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.
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.
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 TRH0715 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.
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.
Ninety nine percent 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.
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 Soleus Air MS-09 Oscillating Radiant Heater 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.
"Under the desk" type radiant heat panels don't get many favorable reviews for
their intended purpose, but some owners claim they work well when 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 Sun Twin model features copper heat
exchangers for consistent, non drying heat; fan assisted heat for larger spaces,
and a lifetime washable filter.
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.
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.
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 TRH0715 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
Sam's Guide To Small Space Heaters
Pros and Cons of Fan Forced Space Heaters
Fan assisted heaters tend to dry out the air and stir up dust and allergens to some
degree. This could be problematic for people with asthma or other respiratory
problems.
Otherwise, a fan forced heater will help distribute the heat more quickly. On some
models, the fan can be run independently of the heater for year round use. If dry
air is a concern, a separate humidifier or combination space heater/humidifier should
solve the problem.
Fan assisted heaters tend to dry out the air and stir up dust and allergens to some
degree. This could be problematic for people with asthma or other respiratory
problems.
Otherwise, a fan forced heater will help distribute the heat more quickly. On some
models, the fan can be run independently of the heater for year round use. If dry
air is a concern, a separate humidifier or combination space heater/humidifier should
solve the problem.
