Winter is cold. You’re probably freezing in your home office while the rest of your family sits inside perfectly nice rooms. Or maybe your heating bill keeps creeping up each month no matter what you do. Thankfully, space heaters exist. Space heaters are small devices you can use to heat a single room.
What are Space Heaters?
Space heaters are small heaters that allow you to heat a single room rather than your whole house. They work by producing heat through convection, radiation, or blowing air over heated coils. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so choose one that works for your space and needs.
Here’s how space heaters work. Space heaters / storage heaters can heat a small area using one of three methods. They may utilize convection to heat the air in your room, radiation to send out heat waves, or a fan to blow hot air around.
Convection heaters draw cool air into their machines and blow the warmed air back into the room. The warm air rises, producing heat throughout your space. Oil-filled radiators and ceramic space heaters fall into this category.
Radiant heaters emit infrared heat that warms up your skin and objects directly around it. You will feel heat instantly when you stand in front of one of these space heaters. These work best when you need something to heat you quickly.
Fan heaters blow air over heated coils to produce warmth. This creates a forced-air environment that pushes hot air into the room. These types of heaters can warm your space faster than other models.
Types of Space Heaters
Each type of space heater uses different technology to produce heat. Here are the most common types of heaters on the market.
Ceramic heaters produce heat by warming up ceramic plates. These often have a fan to blow the heat out into the room faster. They remain cool to the touch on the outside.
Oil-filled radiators look like miniature versions of old radiator systems. These have oil inside that heats up and slowly releases heat into the room. These units are quiet and take a while to heat up.
Infrared heaters are great when you need quick heat. They produce heat right away, so you’ll feel warm almost instantly. They’re ideal for use in workshops, garages, patios, or outdoor spaces. The heat they produce will only warm you and objects in the direct path of the heat.
Micathermic heaters combine two forms of heating. They heat up quickly and use both convection and radiant heat. These heaters tend to cost more but offer you great value.
How To Use A Space Heater
Space heaters are ideal for certain situations. When used correctly, you can heat rooms while saving money on energy bills.
Space heaters are ideal if you only need to heat one room. Work from home? Instead of heating your entire house, just heat your office. You can keep your thermostat low and use a space heater to keep warm in your office. Your energy bill will decrease since you’re no longer heating your entire home.
If you live in an older home with drafty windows or poor insulation, space heaters can help. Use a space heater to target rooms that don’t get as much heat from your duct system. This allows everyone in the house to stay warm without turning up your thermostat.
Space heaters can also help you heat rooms quickly. Need to heat up your bathroom before jumping in the shower? Want to warm up your bed before you get into it? A space heater can provide you warmth instantly.
You should also only use space heaters during spring and fall. If you don’t live in an area with extreme winters and summers, you may only need a space heater during these seasons. Rather than turning your heater on for just a few hours, you can place a space heater anywhere you spend most of your time.
Safety Tips
Because space heaters are small and easy to move, they pose a fire hazard. In fact, space heaters cause around 25,000 fires each year.
Maintain clearance around the heater. You should always give a space heater about three feet of space on all sides. Eliminate fire hazards by keeping your heater away from curtains, furniture, bedding, or paper.
Never leave a space heater on unattended. You should always turn off your heater before leaving the room or going to sleep. By doing this, you eliminate risk to your home when you’re not in the room to monitor the heater.
Plug space heaters directly into the wall. You should never use an extension cord or power strip with a space heater. They can overload and cause a fire. By plugging it directly into the wall, you lessen your fire risk.
Look for safety features when purchasing your heater. Newer heaters come equipped with sensors that turn the heater off if it’s tipped over. You should only purchase heaters with this safety feature, as older models do not have this technology. Many heaters have automatic shut-off should they overheat.
Only place heaters on flat surfaces. You don’t want your space heater to fall off a table or bookshelf and break. Not only do you have to buy a new heater, but it could start a fire if it lands on something flammable. Place your heater on the ground where it can safely sit without tipping over.
What To Look For In A Space Heater
Now that you know the types of space heaters and how they work. Let’s talk about what you should look for when buying your own space heater.
How big is the area you need to heat? Purchase a small heater for small rooms like bathrooms and offices. If you need something for a larger room, make sure the space heater is powerful enough to heat your space. Check the box for how many square feet it can heat.
How energy efficient is the heater? Look for heaters that come with a thermostat and timers. You can set these heaters to turn off when you don’t need them. Not only will this save you money, but you won’t have to remember to turn it off.
How much noise does the space heater make? Oil-filled radiators are silent, but fan heaters will make more noise. If you’re planning on using the space heater to sleep or work, take this into consideration.
Will you need to move the space heater around? If you plan on moving your heater from room to room, pick up a lightweight model. Some space heaters come equipped with handles for easier mobility. You can even buy ones with wheels that roll smoothly.
The Takeaway On Space Heaters
Space heaters can help you heat rooms instead of your whole house. Not only will this save you money, but it can also keep you heated in rooms that don’t get as much heat. There are three types of space heaters: convection, radiant, and fan heaters. When using a space heater, always make sure it’s in a safe location and never leave it unattended.
FAQ’s
1. What exactly is a space heater and what is it meant to do?
A space heater is designed to heat one room, not your entire house. Think of it as targeted warmth. Instead of cranking your central heating just to stay warm in your office or bedroom, a space heater lets you heat only the space you’re actually using. That’s where the real savings come from.
2. How do space heaters actually produce heat?
Space heaters work in a few different ways, but the goal is always the same: warm you up fast. Some heat the air and circulate it around the room (convection), some send heat straight to your body like sunshine (radiant), and others use fans to push warm air outward. Which one feels best depends on how and where you’re using it.
3. What’s the difference between convection, radiant, and fan heaters?
Convection heaters warm the air and slowly heat the whole room — great for steady comfort. Radiant heaters warm you directly, which is why they feel hot almost instantly when you stand in front of them. Fan heaters heat up fast and spread warmth quickly, but they can be a bit noisy and dry out the air. Each has its place.
4. When does it actually make sense to use a space heater?
Space heaters shine when you’re spending time in one specific room. Working from home, getting ready in the bathroom, or sitting in a chilly bedroom? That’s when they really earn their keep. They’re also great for older homes where some rooms never seem to get enough heat from central systems.
5. Can using a space heater really lower my energy bills?
Yes — if you use it the right way. The biggest mistake people make is heating empty rooms. If you keep your thermostat a bit lower and use a space heater only where you’re sitting or working, you can noticeably cut your heating costs. It’s about heating smarter, not harder.
6. Are space heaters safe to use every day?
They can be, but only if you respect them. Always keep them at least three feet away from anything flammable, plug them directly into the wall, and turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Modern heaters with tip-over protection and overheat shut-off are much safer, but common sense still matters.
