1. Saving Space
If a couple of rooms in your home are always chilly, consider purchasing an electric space heater.
Space heaters often are a more energy-efficient way to improve your comfort than turning up the
thermostat, since they get warmth to places where you need it most. When shopping for an electric
space heater, keep in mind that significant differences exist among heating element designs,
heat/temperature controls and heat distribution methods. All of these can have a tremendous
impact on space heater safety and your family’s comfort level. For example, a heater’s shape can
impact its tip-over resistance and area of coverage.Before buying, think about how the heater will
be used most often. This will determine the best heating element design, whether it be convection
(fan), low-temperature radiant (oil-filled) or high-temperature focused radiant. You will probably
use different models in various rooms depending on your activities. To heat a large area, standard
convection, baseboard or tall oil-filled radiator types are effective. They circulate air
to heat an entire room. For smaller areas or a specific spot, such as an easy chair or computer
stand, a high-temperature radiant heater focuses heat more effectively without
wasting excess energy to heat the entire room.
It’s Elemental
Within these basic types come many variations and features. Some newer convection models use
either non-glow or ceramic elements, both of which reduce your chances of getting burned. Even
though the elements do not glow red, they are still effective for heating room air. Ceramic heating
elements are unique in that they self-regulate heat output. As the room air gets warmer, so does the
safe ceramic heating element — its electrical resistance increases, reducing current flow and
producing less heat. The newest ceramic heaters even have programmable heating controls and
use digital displays for simple adjustment. For the most precise temperature control in a room,
select a convection heater equipped with a true temperature dial. Instead of the unit just switching
on and off when the temperature setting is reached (as most space heaters do), it stays on but
automatically reduces heat output. If the room begins to cool down, heat output increases. This
maintains very even room temperatures. Quartz heaters use elements that glow red to target a
specific area. Most have two, long glass heating elements to provide three heat outputs (typically
600 watts, 900 watts and 1,500 watts.) Some models also include a tiny, quiet fan to gently
circulate and mix room air. Select a quartz heater with a childsafe, snap-off grill that allows you to
replace bulbs and clean reflectors for higher efficiency. (The plug tongs are used as the key to
open the grill.) Before heading to the checkout counter, read packaging information for these
features as well — adjustable thermostat, several heat settings, automatic freeze guard (to turn the
unit on when your house gets very cold) and timers. Technically, all electric heating elements are
100 percent efficient, so do not let marketing hype fool you. All electricity consumed by a space
heater is converted into heat, as opposed to a furnace where some heat is lost up the flue.
