Space heaters keep getting better all the time. If your memory of small portable space heaters was formed (negatively) years ago, you might want to take another look. Some small, electric space heaters can create a surprising amount of heat without draining the budget.
Electric heat generally costs less up front, for the heater and installation, but you pay more over the long term due to the cost of electricity. However, when they aren’t being used, electric heaters don’t cost anything, making them a good choice for spaces that aren’t in use regularly.
Electric space heaters don’t require filters, ducts, blowers or exhaust flues, so maintenance and installation are easy. Here are some leading types of electric space heater.
Radiant Panels
Radiant heat warms objects rather than the air, making them very useful in garages and workshops. Think of how the sun’s rays can warm you on a cool day and you’ll understand the principle.
Radiant panels are quiet and can heat up a cold space in less than thirty minutes. They can be mounted on the ceiling or the wall. Some products are only about an inch thick, so they take up little space.
Panels tend to cost between $200 and $500. You will probably want to hire an electrician for an hour or two to wire the panel and thermostat. Manufacturers of radiant panels include SSHC (Enerjoy panels) and Calorique.
Fan-Forced Heaters
Portable fan-forced heaters spread heat with built-in fans that blow over a heating element. Just plug them in near where you want the most heat in the room. They are lightweight and easy to move to another area when needed. These products are best used in small workshops, garages or offices. Honeywell’s Cool Touch oscillating heaters (compare prices) are competent examples of this type of electric space heater.
Halogen Heaters
Often referred to as quartz/carbon heaters or simply radiant heaters, these are portable units heat like the radiant panels discussed above. Heat is generated with energy-efficient halogen bulbs, which warm objects rather than the air. They offer tilting heads and quiet oscillation to provide to relatively small rooms or, ideally, to a someone working at at desk or workbench, where the heater can be placed nearby.
Examples of this type of electric space heater include Optimus Oscillating (compare prices), WindChaser Parabolic (compare prices) and Soleus Oscillating (compare prices).