space and portable heaters

Space and portable heaters can run on electricity or on gas and similar combustion fuels.

Both - electric and combustion fuels - have advantages and disadvantages.

When to consider space and portable heaters

Central heating can be too costly to operate or too costly to install… And if you have relatively small or even moderate heating needs (due to a well insulated and well air sealed home, or to your climate), portable and space heaters make sense.

See: Space home heating

Safety Issues

Space and portable heaters can be a source of safety hazards. Avoid unvented heaters.

See: Space Heaters and Safety Concerns

The electric space heaters offer

There are a large set of electric space heating solutions: baseboard, wall heaters, thermal storage, oil-filled, fan, ceramic...

Many space heaters use direct electric resistance elements, others incorporate oil or other heat transfer liquid, or mica and ceramic elements heated by electricity...

The combustion Heater Offer

Natural gas-propane heaters and kerosene and other liquid-fuelled heaters are powerfull units, often economical. But they pose huge safety concerns.

Certified space heaters

When shopping space heaterr, prefer safe and qualified models. Look for the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) labeling. Energy Star and the European eco-labeling do not include, at present, portable and small heaters in their certified products….

Thermostats

Heaters controlled by a thermostat are a good option. They may avoid energy wastes or the overheating of the room. Make sure that your heater is thermostatically controlled.

See: Thermostat basics

Size

Oversized heaters will waste energy and may overheat the air… The size of the heater should be selected for the specific room you want to heat. Most heaters come with a sizing table, that you should take into account.

See: Heaters capacity

Portable location

Be careful when locating a space heater: it should be placed on a level surface and away from curtains, not in front of pieces of furniture and obstructing family traffic, etc.

See: Space Heaters and Safety Concerns