Space Heaters
Electric and Gas-powered Heaters
Space heaters are portable or built-in appliances which are used to heat
a room or other small area. Indoor heaters are most often powered
by electricity or natural gas, while outdoor and construction site heaters
often use propane, kerosene, or diesel fuel.
Four basic types of space heater are available on the market. Each is best suited to certain applications, although all provide heat and can be used for a variety of heating requirements.
- Heater fans provide fast, even heating of an entire area.
A fan forces heated air across the heating element into the room,
and causes warm air to circulate throughout the room.
- Ceramic heaters are ideal for home and office use. These
heaters use a ceramic heating element and a fan to distribute warm air
efficiently.
- Radiant heaters provide focused spot heating quickly. They
warm people and objects rather than the whole room, and are best suited
for drafty areas or large rooms with high ceilings. Some radiant
heaters use infrared heating elements.
- Convection heaters work well for long-term, whole room heating. They are virtually silent and evenly heat the entire room.
An electric fireplace is a type of space heater which lends a decorative element to a room and emulates the ambience of a traditional fireplace.
Many space heaters need to be properly vented, and when this is the case
it's important that the heater and flue are professionally installed
according to local codes. Space heaters that aren't properly vented
can cause carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide to leak into the air,
resulting in serious — sometimes fatal — health effects.
Regardless of what kind of heater you choose, you'll want to ensure its safe use. First of all, make sure that any heater you choose has been tested and approved by a recognized testing laboratory. Not only will this ensure that the heater you buy meets certain safety standards, but also that proper use and care information is included with your space heater product.
To avoid burns and ensure the safety of children and pets, make sure the
heater you select has a guard around the flame area or heating
element. You'll also want to make sure that the heater you choose
is the correct size for the area you're heating. Heaters that are
too small won't provide adequate heat, while heaters that are too large
can deposit excessive pollutants into the surrounding air.
Be sure your home has at least one smoke alarm on each floor, and outside of the bedrooms. A carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher are also necessary to have in the vicinity of your space heater.
SpaceHeaters.us features a convenient directory of popular space heater dealers, manufacturers, and consumer information where you can shop, compare specifications, and read about heater safety. Once again, remember that space heaters can be hazardous if not operated and maintained correctly.
Shop for Space Heaters
- Heater Shop
Offers electric heaters, propane heaters, natural gas heaters, diesel heaters, and kerosene heaters. Find portable heaters, garage heaters, patio heaters, and heavy duty commercial heaters.
www.HeaterShop.com
Space Heater Manufacturers
- Honeywell Home Environment Products
Offers fans and heaters which lead their categories with advanced styling and innovation. The Honeywell trademark is used by Kaz, Inc. under license from Honeywell Intellectual Properties, Inc.
www.HoneywellConsumerProducts.com - Pelonis
The inventors of the ceramic disc furnace offer a wide range of innovative heating appliances, ceiling fan/heater systems and heater light kits.
www.Pelonis.com - Holmes Products
Holmes is a leading brand of electrical space heaters. Choose from a variety of styles and elements including heater fan, ceramic, radiant, oil-filled and utility heaters.
www.HolmesProducts.com - Bionaire Heaters
Offers several types of heaters, including heater fan, ceramic heaters, radiant heaters, and convection heaters.
www.Bionaire.com - Coleman Heaters
Features catalytic heaters you can use in your tent, garage, shop, ice shanty or even the house if the power goes out!
www.Coleman.com - Mr. Heater
This leading manufacturer of quality portable heaters makes radiant, forced-air, and convection type heaters in various models for propane, kerosene, or natural gas fuels. Common applications for these heaters include outdoor recreation, construction and job sites, industrial uses, and emergency uses.
www.MrHeater.com - Universal Heaters
This California-based firm offers a selection of industrial strength portable heaters.
www.Universal-Heaters.com
Heater Installation and Service
- Electric Heater Repair
Find an electric baseboard or wall heater service professional in your area.
www.ServiceMagic.com
Space Heater Consumer Information
- Electric Space Heaters
Safety tips for selecting and using an electric heater. From the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
www.CPSC.gov - What You Should Know About Space Heaters
Safety information that can assist consumers in purchasing, operating, fueling, and maintaining space heaters. From the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
www.CPSC.gov - Air Heaters
Air heater safety precautions recommended by Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
www.UL.com - Bionaire Heater Safety
10 tips for safe use of your portable space heater from Bionaire, in conjunction with AHAM, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
www.Bionaire.com
Related Heating and Cooling Sites
- Hot Water Heaters - tankless and tank-type water heaters.
- Room Air Conditioners - portable air cooling appliances.
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