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Space HeatersYou are here: House & Home >> Space HeatersUpdated November 2007Types of electric heatersSpace heaters use a variety of technologies to heat the air, but there are two main types of electric heaters: radiant and convection. Radiant space heaters directly heat objects as opposed to heating the surrounding air, so they are best for keeping one or two people warm. For example, a radiant space heater would be a good choice in an office or workshop where most people are comfortable, but one person tends to be cold. Radiant electric heaters generally use either a ribbon coil or quartz tubes along with a reflective panel to project heat. These models heat without circulating the warmth, but when used long enough, they will eventually raise the air temperature. Radiant space heaters are good for drafty areas because they only heat the area around the unit; that is, you won't lose heat to drafts. The quartz rods or tubes will have to be replaced periodically. Some space heaters have a thermostat, and some have a small fan. Convection heaters are best if you want to raise the temperature in a whole room. This type of electric heater warms the air in the room, not just objects that are directly in front of it. These space heaters use either natural convection (the naturally occurring air currents in a room) or forced convection (a fan) to circulate warm air. Those using natural convection are nearly silent, and experts say they are among the safest types of electric heaters, since the heating elements are enclosed within the heater's housing. Convection heaters with fans make some noise, but they do circulate heat more quickly. Convection space heaters generally have thermostats. Convection heaters use a variety of technologies. The most popular and recognizable convection space heaters are oil-filled and look like radiators. Oil-filled heaters can be heavy, but they are also very stable and operate quietly. They have a permanently sealed oil reservoir that never needs to be refilled. The oil is heated when the unit is turned on. Oil-filled space heaters are very efficient. Although they can be slow to heat up, the oil inside stays warm for a long time once it has reached the desired setting. Some radiant and convection space heaters use a ceramic core. These types of electric heaters are generally compact, but vary in shape. Some are barrel-shaped, while others resemble a baseboard heater. Many ceramic heaters also include a washable filter to reduce air pollutants. Some ceramic-core heaters include a fan. The mineral mica is a recent alternative to traditional heating elements; owners praise the new "micathermic" heaters for their light weight and ability to produce heat quickly. Some of these electric space heaters are very narrow, and some can be wall-mounted. Best convection space heatersWe found some of the best reviews overall for oil-filled electric heaters, which are a good choice for raising the temperature in a whole room. These quiet models don't have a fan, instead using natural convection to distribute heat. The oil and heating element are fully enclosed, so the exterior remains fairly cool compared to other types of space heaters. Some have casters for ease of movement from room to room. We found good reviews for oil-filled heaters, including the DeLonghi TRD0715T (*est. $70) , which has 1500 watts (5120 BTU) of power, a 24-hour timer, thermostat, knob controls and three heat settings (600, 900 and 1500 watts). The DeLonghi TRD0715T is taller and heavier (32 pounds), with casters for mobility. This space heater gets some of the highest ratings from owners. The DeLonghi TRN15F1T (*est. $85) is a more compact, oil-filled radiator-style space heater that can be used in any room, even the bathroom, because of its GFCI plug. The DeLonghi space heater uses radiant convection heat, and has vertical thermal chimneys at the top of the unit that allow heat to flow into a room while keeping the surface temperature of the unit low. This model has an adjustable thermostat and an antifreeze setting. While reviews for the larger DeLonghi TRD0715T have been good, reviews of the smaller TRN15F1T at Amazon.com have been mixed, with many purchasers complaining of mechanical problems. One of the newest space heater designs uses the mineral mica as a heating element instead of oil fuel. The DeLonghi SafeHeat Flat Panel Micathermic HHP1500 (*est. $95) electric space heater has received excellent reviews in both professional reviews and in owner reviews. Critics say the lightweight DeLonghi mica heater is lightweight, and it can heat a room quickly while making no noise. The DeLonghi HHP1500 has two heat settings and knob controls, a thermostat, and can be wall mounted -- a real plus if you’re short on space or want to keep the space heater far away from children or pets. If the unit becomes too warm, it automatically shuts off. This DeLonghi space heater comes with a tip-over switch, turning off the heater when it is knocked over. This new space heater gets great reviews -- and we've included it in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers as the best convection space heater. If you prefer the look of a baseboard-style heater, we found mainly positive reviews for the Honeywell HZ519 Low Profile heater (*est. $70). Reviewers say this unit runs quietly and can sit unobtrusively alongside a wall. Keep in mind that Honeywell makes a less expensive baseboard-style heater, the HZ515 (*est. $30) , but the reviews we read for this model are much more mixed. Owners say it's not as reliable as the pricier Honeywell space heater. Although convection heaters without fans are quiet, units that do have fans circulate heat more quickly. They have an added advantage in that you can also use most of them as fans, without turning on the heat. We found some good reviews for the Pelonis Disc Furnace HC-461 (*est. $130). This squat cylindrical space heater has a fan the blows air through honeycomb ceramic discs, but reviews say it's not too noisy. When it comes to heat output, the Pelonis HC-461 is among the most reliable on the market. An electronic thermostat keeps the temperature at a desired level. Like many other space heaters, the Pelonis HC-461 comes with a tip-over switch and overheat protection; its 85-inch power cord, however, is very long compared to others, making this a good choice for large rooms are areas where you aren't close to a power outlet. One problem is that this model is very hard to find in stores. This space heater is expensive compared to others that perform about as well. For example, the Honeywell Mini Tower 360 Surround HZ-2200 (*est. $30) gets good reviews and costs much less. This small cylinder-shaped heater looks a little nicer and less obtrusive than most, even though its fan is a bit noisier. The 90-foot power cord is a plus. Owners say this space heater works well in a small office or under a desk. Radiant space heatersRadiant space heaters are best for heating individual people or small areas, as opposed to a whole room. Most radiant heaters have a fine-mesh grille in front of the heating element to keep children and pets from injury. However, some older radiant heaters may have more exposed heating elements, so take a close look at any model you're considering. Radiant space heaters do produce some noise, making them a potentially less desirable choice for a bedroom. Among radiant space heaters, the Holmes Quartz Tower HQH319 (*est. $75) gets good reviews. The Holmes HQH319 space heater uses quartz tube elements to heat a room, and comes with 750- and 1,500-watt settings. Reviewers at Amazon.com praise this model for its design, quiet-yet-effective fan and one-touch thermostat. The Holmes HQH319 has a sturdy feel and comes with a carrying handle; safety features include a heavy-duty power cord, tip-over switch and overheat protection (heat shuts off when a sensor is tripped). We didn't find the same good reviews for many other radiant space heaters. The Soleus MS-12 reflective heater (*est. $25) doesn't use quartz tubes. Rather, this model reflects heat produced by its infrared element. It does not have a fan. While many owners say this small heater works very well, others comment that it is distractingly bright because of the reflective surface. A few Amazon reviewers complain that this model quit working properly not long after purchase. We also read some negative comments regarding Soleus customer service. Important Features: Space heatersHere's what experts say to look for in a space heater
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
* Also see our Comparison Chart.
We didn't find a lot of professionally written reviews for space heaters, but we found many owner-written ones at Amazon.com and Epinions, which are a good indicator of ease of use and overall product reliability. We saw good reviews for many space heaters, but the new DeLonghi HPP1500 mica-based convection heater seems to be pleasing the most owners.
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Garage heatersKerosene and propane heaters are often used in large areas like garages. These units put out much more heat than portable electric heaters, but because they are unvented, they aren't good choices for general living space. Because these heaters use an open flame and consume oxygen, they are best for well-ventilated areas where children and pets are unlikely to be present. Kerosene heaters are filled with K-1 clear kerosene fuel. The unit has a wick that is lit with a match. With more expensive kerosene heaters, a safety feature automatically extinguishes the flame if the unit is knocked over or bumped. Some models have devices such as battery-operated or push-button ignition that lights the wick without needing matches. Kerosene heaters should only be filled with K-1 kerosene. Using any other liquid fuel is dangerous. Gas heaters that use natural and liquid propane gas are very efficient and very popular as ways to lower utility bills and heat a garage. Mr. Heater makes a wide variety of propane and kerosene heaters for garages, including cylindrical models with a powerful fan. This type of garage heater can easily put out 30,000 to 170,000 BTU of heat. Prices start at about $150. Patio heatersFunctionally, patio heaters are not much different from garage heaters, but they look a lot nicer. Most of the newest patio heaters look like a tall floor lamp. Many use the same type of propane gas cylinder you use for your gas grill. Professional models cost thousands of dollars, but residential models are now available for much less. Examples are the Endless Summer Residential Patio Heater (*est. $300), which produces 40,000 BTU, and the Garden Sun ST-SS Classic Outdoor Patio Heater (*est. $390), which produces 45,000 BTU and can accommodate a 30-pound propane tank. Although there are not a lot of reviews for these heaters, one buyer at Amazon complained that the Endless Summer model was difficult to assemble. James Dulley’s Sensible Home has Bulletin #775 (http://www.dulley.com) that recommends heaters for outdoor decks and patios. The bulletin lists several manufacturers of outdoor heaters ranging in price from $230 to $1,600. Wood burning heaters are an inexpensive way to heat a deck or patio. If you do not plan to move the heater, then natural gas is also less expensive than propane. The Ember-Guard Classic (*est. $300) manufactured by Condar Company (www.condar.com), and the Patio Fireplace (*est. $250) manufactured by Heat-N-Glo (www.heatnglo.com) are two examples. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is a government agency focused on protecting people from injury or death from consumer products. The website offers a good article entitled "What You Should Know About Space Heaters." Underwriters Laboratories (www.ul.com) is a nonprofit, independent testing organization that certifies products for safety. Safety measures for using heaters can be found here. There is a good article on portable heaters at Epinions. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a good article on the various types and features of space heaters. Manufacturers' websites have detailed specifications and model information: Advertisement
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