Vinnit asked:


Room heaters also known as space heaters are a good option to go for in case a central heating system is insufficient or is too costly to install or operate. As the name suggests room heaters are meant for heating rooms and small closed spaces. They are easy and economic way of boosting and regulating the temperature of rooms used by individuals who are sensitive to cold, especially elderly persons, without overheating your entire home.

Most commonly used room heaters use electricity as a fuel but there are some that operate on propane, natural gas, and kerosene. The general capacity of a room heater ranges between 10,000 Btu to 40,000 Btu per hour. You can choose a convection heater or a heater based on radiant heating. If it is a small room, being used for few hours then go for radiant heaters since they avoid the energy needed to heat the entire room by instead directly heating the occupant of the room and the occupant’s immediate surroundings.

Electric heaters are the most common type of heaters used for room heating. Although these are generally more expensive to operate than combustion space heaters, they are the only unvented space heaters that are safe to operate inside your home. Even after being safer than the combustion heaters these electric heaters posses’ threat of fires hence must be used with proper care.

The non radiant heaters use a heat transfer liquid such as oil that is heated by an electric source. It is a more constant source of heating as the heat transfer fluid provides some heat storage, allowing the heater to cycle less. Thus these types of heaters are suitable for bedrooms and places requiring steady heating.

There are certain safety considerations to be taken care of while buying and installing an electric space heater. Firstly, make sure that electric heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. If an extension cord is necessary then use a heavy-duty cord of 14-guage wire or larger. For portable electric heaters, buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if the unit is tipped over.

Lastly buy the heaters with ISI mark to ensure the safety and authenticity. It is always good to go for energy efficient Room Heaters. They are a little expensive than the traditional heaters but they help you saving in long run by cutting down your electricity bills.

Grant Eckert- asked:


Having a portable heater can be very useful, and some of these uses might be things that you never even stopped to consider. From supplemental heat to plant care, you can find a variety of interesting ways to use a portable heater that will make it indispensable in your home. If you haven’t ever thought of ways that you could use a portable heater, here are several things that a portable heater would be perfect for.

Bathroom Heaters

It generally seems that the coldest room in most houses during the winter is the bathroom. Porcelain bathtubs, linoleum or tile floors, and a generally more humid environment than the rest of the house can cause the bathroom to feel several degrees colder even when the rest of the house is reasonably warm. By putting a small portable heater in the bathroom you can provide instant heat when you need it most.

Heat for Flowers, Plants, and Pets

Winter can be hard for flowers, plants, and small pets… they can’t just move to a warmer part of the house or turn up the thermostat if they get cold. By using portable heaters you can help to make sure that the air temperature around your plants and furry friends doesn’t get too cold, which can lead to wilting in the plants and health problems for animals. Even larger animals like dogs and cats can appreciate a small heater placed near their preferred sleeping spots on cold days.

Outdoor Heat Sources

If you and your family like outdoor activities, having a propane portable heater can make them much more enjoyable when the weather turns cold. The heater can be placed wherever you need a little extra heat, or a group of heaters can be used to create a “warm zone” that can surround a picnic area or spectators’ chairs. You can also use portable heaters like this to help you stay warm while stargazing or watching the several meteor showers that tend to occur in autumn and winter.

Shop or Workplace Heat

Portable heaters aren’t just for fun and games, of course; you can also use them in your shop, garage, or workplace to give you a little extra heat when and where you need it. Shops are usually large enough that trying to heat them with a central heating unit is a nightmare, since most of your heat will end up rising to the ceiling while leaving you and anyone else with you in a chill. Portable heaters generally have directed heat, and you can even buy heaters with larger blowers on them that will send quite a bit of heat to exactly where you want it. Instead of having to try and keep the entire shop or garage warm, you can focus only on the specific parts of it that you’re using; if you move to another part of the shop, then you can move the heaters so that they’re warming your new location instead.

Supplemental Heat for Furnaces and Fireplaces

Not everyone has central heat and air… many people still use wood stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces to provide their heat. Unfortunately, these heat sources might not reach all parts of the house. Portable heaters can be used to supplement heat sources such as furnaces and fireplaces, providing a little bit of extra heat in those areas of the house where the main heat source just doesn’t reach. You can even use a single heater for several parts of the house, as all you’ll have to do is carry it with you when you go from one location to another.

Emergency Heat during Power Outages

The problem with a lot of heat sources is that they rely on electricity to function. When the power goes out, not only is there the inconvenience of not having lights, television, and computers, but if the power outage lasts for too long the house can start to get cold as well. This is where propane and kerosene portable heaters can come into play.

Many people choose to buy portable heaters as an emergency heat source in the winter, making sure that they buy a heater that uses some sort of fuel instead of electricity. These heaters can produce a lot of heat, and that heat will stay in the area around the heater. If you’re caught in a power outage that seems like it’s going to last for a while, you can keep your family and pets warm by using a heater and then put the heater back into storage once the power has been restored.

Grant Eckert- asked:


Having a large heating system can be great for warming a house, but if you only want to heat certain areas or if you’re away from your main home then they don’t do much good. Instead, you’re going to need to use a portable heater that can be brought to exactly where you need it and will produce just as much heat as you want. Many of these portable heaters can be used in shops, on job sites, in the garage, or even when out camping or otherwise away from home.

The trick, of course, is finding the portable heater that will do exactly what you want it to do without having to mess with things that you don’t. There are a number of things that you should consider in order to make sure that you get the best heater for your needs, including how easy it is to move and the type of fuel source that the heater uses. To help you choose the portable heater that meets your needs, here are a few suggestions of what to look for.

Portability

Obviously, one of the main advantages that a portable heater has is the fact that it’s portable. A heater may not be as easily portable as you would like, though, and depending on your intended use this may be a problem. Stop to consider how often you’ll likely be moving the heater and whether it can be easily moved to a new location if necessary. If you’re planning on using the heater in the same location much of the time then portability isn’t a major concern, but if one of the selling points of the heater is the fact that you can take it with you then you’re going to want to make sure that it’s easy to transport.

Electrical or Fuel Needs

Your heater will require fuel or power in order to produce heat, and this should be taken into consideration as well. If your portable heater is going to be used around the house or in places with ready access to electricity then a corded electrical heater might serve you well. At the same time, you’ll definitely want to have a heater that uses propane or some other fuel if you’re going to be using the heater in outdoors locations or in places and situations where you won’t have access to electricity. Make sure that the heater you choose will work where and when you need it to, and that the cost to keep it running won’t be more than you’re willing to pay.

Setup Concerns

Another consideration with portable heaters should be how easy or difficult the heater is to set up when you want to use it. Many heaters simply need to be placed where you want them and turned on or started, but others may require some form of mounting or other types of stabilization. You’re going to want to make sure that any setup required, either for the first usage or every use, is easy enough to do that you can accomplish it in a reasonable amount of time. This includes the physical setup of heater, the connecting of a fuel source, the time it takes to get the heater started, and how long it takes the heater to start producing heat.

Heat Production

Make sure that the portable heater that you choose can produce as much heat as you need it to. Most heaters will have a suggested area that it can heat printed on the box, as well as a BTU rating that tells how much heat it actually produces. This will let you know whether a particular heater will be able to do the job that you need, or whether you’ll need more than one heater. You should also remember that if it produces too much heat for the area you’re heating then you might have to adjust the temperature on the heater numerous times in order to keep the air temperature from being too warm or too cold.

Storage

Unless you live in the tundra, there’s a good chance that you’re going to need to put your portable heater into storage for at least a decent portion of the year. Take into consideration how easy or difficult it will be to store the heater you choose and whether you’re likely to damage it if it’s stored incorrectly. You should also determine exactly how much storage space the heater will take up and make sure that you have somewhere at home, in your garage, or at your workplace where the heater can be stored.

Brian Jenkins asked:


In large homes or houses without a heating system, portable heaters are useful for keeping small spaces warm. Instead of providing heat to the entire house, the homeowner can use a heater in a single room. Not only do these appliances save energy and money, but they also disperse warm air more quickly than larger systems.

There are many different choices in portable heaters. There is a wide range available, and the most expensive is not necessarily the best option. They come in many different styles, and some even use different methods in order to provide heat. A buyer can make the right purchase by carefully weighing their options before picking an appliance.

Important Options

All portable heaters for indoor use are electric. Heaters that use other types of fuel must be connected to vents, so they cannot be moved. One of the benefits of purchasing an electric heater is that it can be placed in any area with an outlet. Some models are designed to imitate wood-burning stoves and combustion heaters.

There are several different ways an electric heater can disperse heat. Many have fans that blow air over hot coils and out into the room. These are great for providing heat to the whole room all at once. Others radiate warmth from the unit in the direction it is facing. The user has to stay close to this kind of heater, because the heat is concentrated in a small area. This kind of heater is best suited to garages or other spaces that are too large to warm, but are in need of some heat.

Some models have extra features that are meant to help keep the room warm or expand functionality. Many use thermostats that allow the user to control the amount of heat given off by the heater. Special units that already use ventilation systems offer air-filtering options. This feature can prevent the heater from burning dust or hair that collects in the coils. This also cleans the air as it warms and leaves the room smelling fresh.

When choosing a space heater, safety is most important. Many models have safety mechanisms that prevent burns and fires. A tip-over switch detects when the space heater has been knocked over and automatically turns it off. Similar switches can cool the coils when they are touched or cut power to the entire unit when it is being covered by something.

The Best Portable Heaters

A good portable heater does not need all of the options available above, but it may be wise to make a list of the most desirable options before making a decision. There are a lot of quality space heaters in the market, so take the time to narrow down the field before going shopping.

Homeowners who are looking for a large heater should look into a model like the DeLonghi SafeHeat. At around $200, it provides even heat for a larger space without being bulky. It evens has safety features and splash resistance for use in the bathroom. This heater is capable of warming your room while reducing your electric bill.

Electric stoves like the Newair AH-510E Electric Fireplace Heater start at the same price and provide heat, but add the charm of a fireplace. This model has a timer and the coils glow like little flames. Although it may not be as portable as some other electric options, a fireplace heater can be moved more easily than vented stoves.

For a smaller, cheaper option, try the World Marketing Electric Convection Heater. It heats quickly and provides variable control of the temperature and fan. It also has a tip-over switch. This little heater even comes in under $30.

Those looking to add an attractive but expensive heater to their home should consider the Honeywell HZ519 Digital Low Profile Silent Comfort Heater. It is a long, slender unit that sits low to the ground and silently heats the room. It features a digital thermostat, a timer that allows for automatic shut-off, and several safety switches. At $1000, this unit has just about everything one could wish for in a heater.

Although these heaters have different prices and options, they can all help comfortably warm any space during the winter. The best part is that they are all completely portable, so they can be moved from one room to another. Just remember to never leave them on and unattended.