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Space Heater Buying Guide
Space heaters are the tool of choice for consumers looking to fight rising energy costs and lower their carbon footprints. Many consumers choose a space heater that is inadequate for their needs or expect more from a space heater than it can deliver. Understanding the types of space heaters—and what a space heater can and cannot do—will help you find the space heater that’s right for you and Pronto’s Space Heater Buying Guide make that process even easier.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Consider the space
Room size can affect the efficiency and performance of space heaters, particularly convective space heaters. Know the size of the room you wish to heat, and choose a space heater built to handle a slightly larger space, if available.
Choose the right type
Radiant space heaters provide directional warmth that’s ideal for personal use. To warm a room, choose a convective space heater. Parabolic space heaters are best for providing directional heat in an unheated area.
Shop for safety
Automatic shutoff is important if you’ll be using a space heater in a bedroom. Look for solid bases that don’t tip easily and tight grills that keep flammable materials, paws, and hands out. Check the surface temperatures on different space heaters to find the one that’s best for your lifestyle.
Features add to efficiency
Spending more on space heaters with thermostats and variable wattage will save you money on fuel in the long run. These space heaters give you greater control over temperature and electricity use, providing the most flexibility in variable climates. Newer ceramic and mica space heaters are among the most energy-efficient space heaters available.
Have reasonable expectations
Space heaters provide warmth in a small area, which can help you lower your fuel bill. Space heaters will do the work of a furnace on chilly nights and will let you keep the heating system lower in deeper cold.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like the Bionaire Total Heat Console Convection Heater, 500- & 1500-Watt for combining safety, function and form. This space heater’s surface is Cool-Touch for optimum safety and quicker to heat than oil-filled heaters. Its lightweight design (16lbs) makes it easily portable and it comes with an adjustable thermostat, two-speed Comfort Control fan and power indicator light, auto shut-off, manual user reset and three-prong plug.
experts say
Good Housekeeping—If you're especially noise sensitive, check out the Bionaire BH3900-U - you can barely hear it. Larger than other models the GH Research Institute engineers tested, the Bionaire is still portable, thanks to a set of wheels and a carrying handle.” Source: Goodhousekeeping.com
Energy Efficient Home—“Ceramic heaters come in a wide variety of models: fixed, tower, oscillating and pedestal. One of the most popular and inexpensive of these is the Honeywell HZ-315 Space Heater. Weighing in at only 3.3 pounds, it's the mighty mite of space heaters capable of quickly heating small to mid-sized rooms.” Source: Energyefficienthomearticles.com
Popular Mechanics—“A well-placed electric space heater can reduce fuel bills, but safety is always a concern. The Holmes Ultra Quiet Ceramic Heater with ViziHeat has orange bars that appear when the grill heats up, and stay visible until the unit has fully cooled down.” Source: Popular Mechanics
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Space Heaters) |
| $ | From $20-50, you’ll find ceramic space heaters, metal radiators, and some tower space heaters. These space heaters lack fans and provide quiet warmth in a small area. Look for outer casings that stay cool on radiant space heaters. Ceramic space heaters may be your best value in this price range. |
Compare prices at 27 stores $19 - $36 |
| $$ | Safety features and adjustable thermostats should be the first items on your checklist for space heaters priced between $50-150. These space heaters can warm a room, but be sure to check their output against the size of the room where you’ll be using them. Radiators are a good choice for general warming at this price range, but the best energy efficiency will come from radiant space heaters with adjustable thermostats. |
Compare prices at 17 stores $55 - $85 |
| $$$ | Space heaters retailing for $150 or more are best for warming an entire room. For personal use, a lower priced space heater may deliver better performance. Most space heaters in this range offer dual heating elements and fans, which can get noisy. Automatic shutoff and motion alarms are a must if you’re spending this much. Look for thermostats and adjustable wattage consumption for the best energy efficiency. | |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Ceramic
A new space heater technology that generates warmth by passing an electric current through a ceramic plate. These space heaters are lighter and smaller than other models and deliver excellent energy efficiency.
Convective
A space heater that warms the air in a room through direct contact with exposed heating elements. Convective space heaters may include fans for greater air circulation.
Kerosene
A space heater that burns kerosene fuel with an open flame to generate warmth. Kerosene space heaters must be refueled periodically and are best suited to outdoor use.
Parabolic
A radiant space heater shaped like a fan that delivers strong and highly directional heat to a small area.
Quartz
An electric space heater that generates warmth by passing an electric current through quartz tubes. The tubes in these space heaters must be replaced periodically, so you should include the cost of replacement tubes over three years to calculate the lifetime cost of ownership.
Radiant
A space heater that provides directional heat by warming a heat-conducting surface, typically a sheet of metal. These space heaters are best for personal use or warming a small area.
Radiator
A convective space heater that generates warmth by heating oil stored in metal tubes. These space heaters take more time to work but are best for heating a room.
Tower
An electric space heater with a tall, thin rectangular case. These radiant space heaters provide directional heat and are better suited for personal use than for warming a room.
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