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What You Should Know About Space Heaters

Best Space Heater — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:46:38 +0000

Space heaters are one of the most useful tools for keeping costs low during cold winter nights. The best space heaters enable the user to turn off the heater for the whole house, and just heat one or two rooms at a time. They are very useful, but it can be hard to decide which type to purchase and use.

When purchasing a new space heater there are several different criteria to use in decision making before you can choose the best space heater for you. These categories are:

Size
Heat output
Budget
Safety
Temperature
Labels

The size of the space heater is very important. The larger the room, the larger you want the heater to be. There is a formula for figuring out how many BTUs you need your heater to produce:

Multiply the height times the width times the length of the room.
Then multiply that number by 3.
That number is how many BTUs you need to heat the room effectively.

The best space heater for each room will have the right amount of BTUs for the space.

When you go to the store to look at space heaters ask someone at the store if they can turn on the heaters for you. That way you can see how far the heat is produced, and how hot the surfaces get. The best space heater models also have temperature control so that you can set a temperature for the room and the heater will keep the room at that temperature. This will save money because the heater will not have to run constantly.

Decide how much you want to spend on your space heater. The cheapest space heaters are electric. More expensive heaters are made from propane and natural gas. When you know your budget beforehand then it will be easier to make your final decision. It is also important to check the labels on any heater before purchasing. Try to get a heater that has an energy saver label on it. You also want a heater that has a UL label, which means it has been inspected by the Underwriter’s Laboratories.

Safety is also extremely important when choosing a space heater. Since the heater will most likely be on while you are asleep, it is crucial that the heater is completely safe. Some safety categories to watch out for are:

Make sure the heater is placed at least three feet from any other objects at all times.
Keep the heater away from water.
Unplug the heater when not in use.
Do not use around combustible materials such as gas, oil, or fires.
Do not use a space heater with an extension cord. This raises the chance of fire.
Keep children and babies away from the heater.

The final aspect to consider when purchasing a space heater is design. There are many different designs of heaters, and there are also many different types of heaters. The different heat sources of the heaters have a lot to do with the design. Electric heaters come in many different designs. Some of the most common shapes are square or circular. Propane and natural gas heaters are usually rectangular. They are usually smaller than the electric heaters. Infrared heaters are also usually rectangular or square. Most space heaters are designed more for function than beauty, so there are not very many models that are attractive. Oil space heaters usually look like an accordion. Most original heaters were run by oil.

Using the tips in this article should help you determine what the best space heater is for you and your family. Remember to always use the heaters safely and in the way they were built to be used.

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Can a space heater be placed next to a wall?

Best Space Heater — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:03:45 +0000

It can be difficult to figure out how close to a wall or other furniture you should put your space heater. Placing your space heater in the middle of the room doesn’t make sense because 1) it will look bad, and 2) you will always be bumping into it.

So, where is it safe to put a space heater?

The answer is that it depends on the exact heater you have, and that you need to read the documentation specific to your heater. There should be “safety” labels and pictures on the box of the heater when you buy it, in the user manual, and even on the heater itself.

The user manual is the best place to look, because it should give you exact guidelines for how far it needs to be from wall. Keeping it away from curtains, furniture, and bedding is also a good idea.

You should also be careful about leaving it running when you are not home. I’ve seen heaters with a safety feature where they automatically shut themselves off if they get knocked over and over heat. I would definitely buy one with that feature.

The room is small, so I don't want to put it in the middle of the room where it can be bumped into. Can it be used next to a wall as long as there are no curtains furniture or bedding next to it?

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Can You Get a Rash from Using a Space Heater?

Best Space Heater — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:08:47 +0000

Could a space heater near your feet be causing a rash? Lots of people who keep a space heater under their desk find that their legs get itchy and develop red bumps. They can be in one place, or all over the legs and feet.

This is probably heat rash, which is caused by excessive heat on or near the skin. Heat rash will generally go away on it's own, as long as you move the heater away from you. If it doesn't, you should check with your doctor.

There's some other great information on heat rash at the Mayo Clinic

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