Which Is The Best Space Heater?

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Every year when the heating season gets into full swing I can count on numerous emails asking “Which is the best space heater?” I would love it if I could reply: “Buy the new XYZ Perfect Space Heater. It’s safe, reliable and quiet; will heat your entire home for pennies a day, and costs only $22.”

For anybody in the space heater business, this is probably the Holy Grail. But until they find it, the best space heater will be the one that fulfills your expectations.

I don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, but I can tell you exactly what to expect from a typical electric space heater.

Every electric space heater I know of has a maximum output of 1,500 watts. This is roughly equivalent to 5000 Btu’s. A rule of thumb for space heaters estimates 35 Btu’s of heat for each square foot of living space you intend to heat. So a 1,500 watt/5,000 Btu space heater should comfortably heat 140-150 square feet; or a 10′x15′ self enclosed room like a bedroom or den.

Just about any space heater would be adequate for this application. One exception would be a radiant parabolic heater. This type of space heater was designed to heat just you, not an entire room.

Rooms that are not self enclosed and connected to a hallway, staircase or another room will dilute the effectiveness of most space heaters. Once again, there is an exception to the rule. Many reviews by owners of the Vornado fan equipped space heater claim heating capabilities of up to 600 square feet.

But there’s a trade off. A fan equipped space heater will heat a room more evenly and quickly than an oil filled radiant heater, but the fan also kicks up dust and allergens and dries out the air.

Another definition for “best space heater” could be “safe space heater.” Any longtime manufacturer of space heaters is acutely aware of the potential danger electric space heaters pose to children and pets and has for the most part designed them accordingly.

One glaring exception is that rectangular shaped metal box with glowing red wires that looks more like a toaster than a space heater. I wouldn’t have one of these in my home if they were giving them away. If you want your space heater to be super safe around kids or pets buy one designed to hang on the wall.

Overall, electric space heaters have a good safety record. Every electric space heater related fire I’ve read about resulted from violating the basic rules of space heater safety such as over-loading the wall outlet, use of a thin extension cord instead of power strip, or locating the heater too close to walls (drapes), furniture and decorations.

Two or more space heaters may be necessary to supplement your home’s heating system. If this is the case, it might be a good idea to figure out how multiple space heaters will affect your electric bill. In the Boston area, where electricity sells for 14.4 cents per kWh, it costs about 22 cents per hour to run a 1,500 watt space heater.

Ultimately, the “best space heater” is the one that matches all the characteristics and features you’re looking for with your space heating needs.

Continue reading more about the best space heaters at Alternative-Heating-Info.com.