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When should you use a space heater?
Small space heaters are typically used when the main heating system is inadequate or when central heating is too costly to install or operate. In some cases, small space heaters can be less expensive to use if you only want to heat one room or supplement inadequate heating in one room.
Can a space heater heat a room?
An electric space heater can reduce your utility bills, but only if you lower the thermostat on your central heating system. Homes typically have central heating systems with a capacity of 50,000 to 100,000 Btuh, so obviously a single space heater can’t heat an entire house.
How does a space heater work?
Space heaters heat you and the room they occupy in two ways: through radiant heat and convection. Radiant heat is like the warmth you feel when sunlight hits your skin. The closer you are to the space heater, the more of the radiant warmth you’ll feel. Convection happens when air surrounding the heater is heated.
Do space heaters use alot of electricity?
The electric space heaters tested at Consumer Reports use 1,500 watts to fully power. Since you should never use a space heater while sleeping, it would cost $2.82 a day to use a space heater 16 hours a day, based on the national average electricity rate.
What are the dangers of space heaters?
Are Space Heaters Safe?
- Like any electrical device, they pose a shock hazard.
- Space heaters use a lot of electricity. They can easily overload circuits, causing a power failure or fire.
- Some parts of the heater can become really hot.
- Some space heaters, especially taller ones, can tip over, posing a fire hazard.
Is it cheaper to use a space heater or electric heat?
The short answer is that it depends on how much of your house you’re heating. In general, if you only need one or two rooms to be warm, space heaters will use less energy than central heat. If you want to heat up the whole room, opt for a convection heater, which warms up the air, suggests the US Department of Energy.
When does it make sense to use a space heater?
When Jack Frost comes nipping at your nose, it’s time to turn up the heat. For many people, this just means raising the temperature on the central heating system’s thermostat. In many cases, though, you only need heat in a small area for a brief time, and it makes more sense to use a space heater than to heat the whole house.
What kind of space heater do I need for apartment?
Fan heaters come in one type: with a fan. The fan blows air over the metal coil which pushes heat into the room. For apartment renters, this can be a good choice. Check out our best space heater for apartments here to find out more. These units are also good for bathrooms for quick heat.
How does a propane space heater heat up a room?
The way a propane space heater works to heat up a room is similar to an infrared heater: it emits electromagnetic waves into the air to heat up objects close by. This design makes them a good choice for outdoor areas like a patio. Check out our patio heater reviews for more details.
How does an infrared space heater work?
Unlike ceramic and oil-filled ones, infrared space heaters emit electromagnetic waves to heat objects and living beings nearby. It’s a similar process to how the sun heats up our planet. Hence, infrared heaters can’t heat up the entire room.