During winter, or cold periods, we crave for some warmth, as we stay in our rooms, a good space heater might just be want you need. Space heaters create an amount of heat for your room, to make it accommodative for you. If you are in search of room heaters, then you are at the right place, in this post we’d x-ray the best space heaters out there.

A space heater is an appliance used for heating an enclosed place. There are many styles and types of portable space heaters to choose from including floor heaters, personal space heaters, baseboard heaters and wall heaters.

Also, A space heater is a device used to heat a single, small area, central heating is used to heat many connected areas, such as the rooms of a house. Space heaters are powered by electricity or a burnable fuel, such as natural gas, propane, fuel oil, or wood pellets. Portable space heaters are usually electric, because a permanent exhaust is needed for heaters which burn fuel.

Small space heaters are typically used when the main heating system is inadequate or when central heating is too costly to install or operate. In some cases, small space heaters can be less expensive to use if you only want to heat one room or supplement inadequate heating in one room. They can also boost the temperature of rooms used by individuals who are sensitive to cold, especially elderly persons, without overheating your entire home.

Space heater capacities generally range between 10,000 Btu and 40,000 Btu per hour, and commonly run on electricity, propane, natural gas, and

Although most space heaters work by convection (the circulation of air in a room), some rely on radiant heating. Radiant heaters emit infrared radiation that directly heats objects and people within their line of sight, and are a more efficient choice when you will be in a room for only a few hours and can stay within the line of sight of the heater. They can also be more efficient when you will be using a room for a short period because they save energy by directly heating the occupant of the room and the occupant’s immediate surroundings rather than the whole room.

Safety is a top consideration when using space heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters, resulting in more than 300 deaths. In addition, an estimated 6,000 people receive hospital emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting the hot surfaces of room heaters, mostly in non-fire situations.

Vented and Unvented Combustion Space Heaters

Space heaters are classified as vented and unvented or “vent-free.” Unvented combustion units are not recommended for use inside your home, because they introduce unwanted combustion products into the living space—including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and water vapor—and deplete air in the space. Most states have banned unvented kerosene heaters for use in the home and at least five have banned the use of unvented natural gas heaters.

Vented units are designed to be permanently located next to an outside wall, so that the flue gas vent can be installed through a ceiling or directly through the wall to the outside. Look for sealed combustion or “100% outdoor air” units, which have a duct to bring outside into the combustion chamber. Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.

Less expensive (and less efficient) units use the room air for combustion. They do not have a sealed glass front to keep room air away from the fire and should not be confused with a sealed combustion heater.

In addition to the manufacturer’s installation and operating instructions, you should follow these general safety guidelines for operating any combustion space heater:

• For liquid-fueled heaters, use only the approved fuel. Never use gasoline! Follow the manufacturer’s fueling instructions. Never fill a heater that is still hot. Do not overfill the heater — you must allow for the expansion of the liquid. Only use approved containers clearly marked for that particular fuel, and store them outdoors.
• Have vented space heaters professionally inspected every year. If the heater is not vented properly, not vented at all, or if the vent is blocked, separated, rusted, or corroded, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) can enter the home causing sickness and death. CO also can be produced if the heater is not properly set up and adjusted for the type of gas used and the altitude at which it is installed.

Electric Space Heaters

Electric space heaters are generally more expensive to operate than combustion space heaters, but they are the only unvented space heaters that are safe to operate inside your home. Although electric space heaters avoid indoor air quality concerns, they still pose burn and fire hazards and should be used with caution.

For convection (non-radiant) space heaters, the best types incorporate a heat transfer liquid, such as oil, that is heated by the electric element. The heat transfer fluid provides some heat storage, allowing the heater to cycle less and to provide a more constant heat source.

When buying and installing an electric space heater, you should follow these general safety guidelines:

• Electric heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. If an extension cord is necessary, use the shortest possible heavy-duty cord of 14-gauge wire or larger. Always check and follow any manufacturer’s instructions pertaining to the use of extension cords.
• Buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if the unit is tipped over.

Types HEATERS

Personal Heaters

Compact and portable, portable heaters are the best way to warm quickly warm up one or two people in a small space. In as little as 10 minutes these heaters will make a small space warm and comfortable. These heaters are designed to sit on the floor, table or nightstand to keep you warm and comfortable.

Room Heaters

Room heaters are often a space-saving box shape that adequately heats up an entire room. Room heaters can be placed in the corner of a room and typically come with a fan to spread a warm blanket of air throughout.

Portable Space Heaters

Take the warmth with you this winter with a heater specifically designed to be moved from room to room. Most portable heaters are small and electric which come in handy when you need to add a little heat to a small room. To heat an ice fishing hut, or the inside of an igloo; When there isn’t an outlet to plug into then a gas models is the way to go. These totable heaters will warm your heart.

What does a space heater do?

At a base level, all space heaters heat the space they are placed in. However, each type will help heat the space in a different way.

1. Ceramic space heaters: A type of convection heater, ceramic space heaters warm the air as it blows over a hot ceramic plate or coils inside the unit. The body of the heater stays cool to the touch, which makes it popular for homes with kids and pets.
2. Forced-air heaters: Also called fan-forced heaters, these convection heaters warm the air and circulate it around the room by fan. The fan allows the heat to be distributed quickly. Forced-air heaters are popular in offices or small workspaces,” said Hyland.
3. Radiant heaters: “Radiant heaters are directional and heat the objects near it or in its path. These are ideal for a living room, bedroom or den and tend to retain heat for longer, even when the power is turned off,” said Hyland.
4. Infrared heaters: “A type of radiant heater, infrared space heaters are generally more effective in warming a person or a small area, rather than a larger space. You might see these in a bedroom or even under your desk, if you’re always cold in the office,” said Hyland.

What are the benefits of a space heater?

A space heater can save you money and energy, because it heats only the room or the space that is being used.

BUYER’S GUIDE OF A SPACE HEATER

Space Heater Size & Coverage

As you being to decide which type of space heater is right for you, take into consideration what size will suit your needs best. Consider if you are going to be using the space heater to heat an office or bedroom, a large family room or great room, or just your feet warm at night. This will give you an idea of what space heater will be ideal for your needs. Be careful to take into consideration that if you buy one that is too large it may waste energy and in turn unnecessarily raise your electric bill.

The standard form of measurement for gas heaters is British Thermal units or (BTUs). When selecting a space heater, look for the wattage necessary to heat your specific area, then simply multiply that number by 3.41 to convert it to BTUs (1 watt X 3.41= BTUs). For Example: If you have an enclosed outdoor patio that measures 15′ X 10′ the Square Footage would be 150 sq ft. An area that is 150 sq ft would require 1250 watts to heat. So take 1250 and multiply it by 3.41 and you will need a heater that provides 4262 BTU’s.

Shop For Safety

Space heaters are, of course, designed to be hot. But they shouldn’t burn you or create a fire hazard.

Look for a sensor that shuts the heater off if it overheats. A switch that does the same if the heater tips over is a welcome plus for taller models, especially if kids and/or pets use the room, too.

Damaged power cords are one of the major causes of fires, injuries, and deaths associated with space heaters. Inspect electric space heater cords for damage regularly and never use an extension cord with an electric heater.

When you  shop for an electric space heater, look for a label from a recognized testing laboratory, such as UL (Underwriters Laboratory), ETL (Intertek), or CSA (Canadian Standards Association), verifying that the heater’s construction and performance meet voluntary U.S. safety standards.

Consider the amount of energy it uses

 Look for a heater that uses 750 to 1,000 watts. “All heaters claim to be the most efficient, but most all use the same amount of energy,” Manfredini cautioned.

Check out these features to help you stay cozy during colder days, and also to use your space heater safely

Thermostat

A thermostat maintains the temperature you set, saving you the hassle of turning the heater on and off as the room temperature varies. Heaters with multiple output settings conserve energy by letting you choose the lowest setting that keeps a room comfortable.

Timer

This lets you set the time the heater operates, so it’s not on when you’re out of the room, saving you money.

Power Cord

Look for a model with a cord that is at least 70 inches long. This gives you more flexibility with placement options and avoiding anything flammable such as a couch, curtains, or your bed without using an extension cord—which is not recommended. Heaters should always be placed on the floor for safety.

Remote Control

This allows for easier operation, because the heater should be on the floor for safe operation and a remote saves bending over.

Handle

If you’ll be moving the heater from room to room, look for a lightweight model with a handle that provides a safe grip. Check the weight on the box.

BEST SPACE HEATERS

These are the 7 best space heaters we found.

1. Lasko Ceramic Heater with Adjustable Thermostat
2. Lasko Low Profile Silent Room Heater
3. Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater
4. Lasko Air Logic Bladeless Electric Tower Space Heater with Remote
5. Crane Fireplace Heater
6. Pelonis Oil Filled Heater

Lasko Ceramic Heater with Adjustable Thermostat

During winter, the one appliance that we always search for once it gets cold enough is a heater. Those cold days are absolutely unbearable, your heating system just can’t get the job done and so using a heater completely makes sense. Then you have to consider what heater you want to purchase as there are so many of them out on the market. There are heaters that use different ways to output heat than others, and there are ones that come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

That said, at times, you just want a small heater for just your personal use, such as having it in your bedroom and keeping the heater close to you. That’s basically what Lasko Ceramic Tabletop is heater is like,

Lasko Low Profile Silent Room Heater

Lasko’s silent room heaters use natural convection to circulate warm air silently throughout your room. The low-profile design makes it blend into your existing decor. Features digital display, adjustable thermostat, and timer functions.

Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater

Mr. Heater has improved the performance of the tip-over safety switch inside your heater. You can now hear the operation of the tip-switch when the unit is shaken, bounced, or tipped upside down. Do not worry, this is only your tip-switch operating as it’s designed

Lasko Air Logic Bladeless Electric Tower Space Heater with Remote

The Bladeless Heater by Lasko features Exclusive Heat Channels™ for long-range heat projection. The space heater’s sleek design fits well into existing home decor and the multi-function remote adds convenience to keeping your space warm and comfortable.

Crane Fireplace Heater

Cool-to-the-touch, the 15-inch high Crane Electric Fireplace Heater offers safe ceramic, fan-forced heating to bedrooms, dens, and offices between 75 – 150 square feet. With downward fan-forced heating, this heater uses 5,118-BTUs of heat, with two heat settings and one glow setting without heat with a turn of the side control knob. At just 13.5-pounds, this black heater is easy to carry around with one carrying handle, while stabilizing with four rubber feet.

Pelonis Oil Filled Heater

Pelonis ceramic heater has an appealing design that takes very little space. It has a remote control to change settings from a distance. It provides quick heating which is suitable for 120-160 sq. Ft area. It has a timer control to turn off the timer automatically after a certain time. There are two wattage settings 900 and 1500 watts which gives heating control. There is a fan to blow air and you can also select fan-only mode. It will provide heat within seconds which makes it suitable to use at home and offices. It is very energy efficient and has an ECO setting to save your energy costs. The automatic thermostat maintains the desired temperature itself. The LED display helps to select the accurate temperature and displays the temperature of the room. It has overheating and tip-over safety feature.

Conclusion

We are through with this review. I’m glad to inform you that these heaters are reliable. You can make this purchase, and smile afterwards, because of the benefits of using any of this heaters