Electric Space Heaters
During winter months it can be difficult, and expensive, to heat a home or office to comfortable temperatures. Save yourself the headache, and the increased heating bill, by purchasing electric space heaters from Staples. Learn more about the types, uses and safety features available below.
What Is an Electric Space Heater?
An electric space heater is a small appliance used to increase the temperature of a room or small area. They’re portable, so they can be moved around in order to provide a boost of warmth where needed. Simply plug it into a wall outlet and warm up during the colder winter months!
What Types of Electric Space Heaters Are There?
Electric space heaters can be broken down into two main varieties: infrared space heaters and convection heaters. Here is a break down of the differences between these two types of heaters:
Convection Heaters
Convection space heaters work by pulling the air from the room, heating it and then re-circulating it back into the space. They are a great choice for maintaining a consistent temperature. However, they take longer to heat up an area, and are not the best choice for poorly insulated spaces.
Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters, sometimes referred to as radiant heaters, produce infrared radiation, which works a bit differently than heating by convection. Instead of circulating warm air throughout a space, they provide much more concentrated heat by directing air to any object in its path. Because of this, infrared space heaters are a great option for spaces that are not well insulated. They are also considered to be energy efficient, since they are not providing heat for an entire space.
What Features Do Electric Heaters Have?
Like with most appliances, electric heaters have a range of features available. Many models have safety features like an automatic shutoff or an overheating sensor. Built-in thermostats let users control exactly how warm the area gets. Models with timers enable you to set a schedule for your electric heater, so you don’t have to worry about it running when you are gone or waiting for it to heat up when you return. An electric space heater with a long power cord can be valuable if you are looking for more flexibility when finding a place to put the unit.
Are Space Heaters Safe to Use?
When used properly, electric space heaters are completely safe. Follow our space heater best practices below to ensure safety during use:
- Always plug directly into a wall outlet. Using extension and power cords may overheat the space heater and could even cause a fire.
- Never leave space heaters unattended, especially around children.
- Place your space heater in a flat and even area to reduce the risk of it tipping over. Apply the three feet rule; don’t place it near any other objects within a three foot distance.
- Never place your electric space heater on carpet to reduce the risk of overheating and possible combustion.