Heaters
When your home or office is chilly, it’s only natural that you’ll want to bundle up with a scarf or sweater and crank up the heat. But, sometimes, these solutions aren’t an option, and you have to get creative in order to stay warm. One solution that you may seek out to warm up small areas is a room heater. Room heaters, also known as space heaters, are powerful machines that can turn any cold room into a warm and toasty oasis. Learn more about space heaters below.
What Is A Space Heater?
Room heaters are compact and portable heaters that quickly heat up small indoor or outdoor areas using either electricity or gas. Space heaters are an efficient way to warm up a room without having to turn up the thermostat for the entire home or office, which can use a ton of energy. In fact, in some spaces you can use a space heater as your main source of heat, which can help you save significantly on your energy bill.
Space heaters come in many types and varieties. The two main types are radiant heaters and convection heaters. Radiant heaters are ideal for warming objects and people that are directly in front of them rather than actually warming the entire room. Convection heaters, on the other hand, warm rooms by heating the air inside of it.
Space heaters are commonly bought alongside office fans, humidifiers, air purifiers and other appliances to keep your space comfortable. They’re ideal for any small space, just remember to keep them away from flammable materials, children and pets. Also, keep in mind that you need to properly position your room heater to avoid moisture or heat damage.
What Brands of Space Heaters Are Available?
The top room heater brands that Staples carries include Hanover, TPI, Lasko, Optimus, Enerco and many others. These brands manufacture a range of space heaters including indoor and outdoor heaters, electric to kerosene powered heaters and ceramic to infrared type heaters.
What Are Major Considerations When Buying A Room Heater?
With many options, it's hard to narrow it down. Consider these features to make your decision:
- Heater capacity - For larger spaces, a heater with a larger capacity may be more efficient.
- Room size - Consider choosing a smaller room heater for a small office to save on energy.
- Noise - If you’re buying a space heater for the bedroom, consider choosing one that is quiet so it won’t disturb your sleep.
- Energy-efficiency - Choosing the right heater for your space will save on unnecessary energy charges.
- Heat-up time - Keep in mind that some heaters may take longer to heat up, but this heat tends to linger longer in the room.
Space Heater Safety Features
Space heaters come with a variety of safety features that make it easy to operate them without having to worry about any unwelcome incidents. Some heaters come with cool-to-touch materials, while others have an internal switch that turns the heater off automatically if it’s knocked over accidentally. Some come with overheat protection that monitors the temperature and turns the device off when it reaches unsafe temperatures.