Heater Buying Guide

The rising costs of heating oil, natural gas, and electricity are understandably pushing Americans to look for more economical ways to heat their homes this winter. Using a portable heater to save money and energy can be just the solution. Although purchasing an additional heating appliance sounds like a redundant and more expensive choice, the truth is running a portable heater in the rooms you use most frequently and keeping your thermostat at a lower overall heat setting can save quite a bit of energy and cut utility costs.

There are a range of portable heaters on the market today, and they all differ primarily by type, temperature controls, safety features, and price. With so many options available and points to consider, choosing the right unit can become an overwhelming task. Use this guide to help you sift through your choices and, ultimately, help you decide on the right portable heater for your needs.

For easy accessibility to the topics in this article, use our topic list provided below:

Types of Portable Heaters
Portable Electric Heaters
Portable Gas Heaters
Size of Heater
Temperature Controls
Safety Features
Power Consumption
Noise Level
Cost Analysis
Patio Heaters

Types of Portable Heaters

Portable heaters, also known as space heaters, can be divided up into two basic groups: electric and gas. Electric space heaters warm their surroundings by converting electrical energy into heat. Portable gas heaters operate by burning fuel such as propane, kerosene, butane, or natural gas. There are a myriad of advantages and disadvantages to each type.

Electric space heaters are typically more expensive to operate than gas heaters when you calculate their monthly operational cost (see equation under “Cost Analysis“). However, gas heaters are a more expensive purchase. Portable gas heaters are more dangerous than electric space heaters when used indoors. They must be used in spaces that have adequate ventilation or you could be at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. On another point, portable gas heaters heat up quickly while portable electric heaters can take a few minutes to reach their full heating capacities. At the same time, portable electric heaters operate more efficiently than gas heaters, which lose desirable heat during the combustion process. The decision between a gas and electric space heater will have to involve a tradeoff. Because portable gas heaters can often have a negative effect on your indoor air quality, Sylvane recommends using portable electric heaters indoors.

Portable Electric Heaters

Portable electric heaters are considered to be 100% energy efficient, since they do not lose heat through ductwork or combustion as with central heating units and portable gas heaters. This means that all of the warmth generated by an electric heater unit will radiate into the room or space, keeping it warmer and more comfortable for longer periods of time. Electric space heaters can be categorized into 4 groups based on how they heat the air.

Radiant space heaters incorporate an electric ribbon or quartz tube heating element that emits infrared radiation to heat a small space quickly. These units are best for spot heating because they deliver more focused warmth to areas in the heater’s line of sight. For example, imagine standing in direct sunlight and feeling the warmth hit your body. This is technically radiant heat. A radiant unit will provide nearly instant warmth while you sit in your favorite chair, at your desk, or at a workbench. However, because of its direct heating configuration, this type of heater will take a longer time to heat an entire room evenly.

Convection space heaters employ a permanently-sealed heat transfer liquid, such as oil, and an electric coil or wire heating element to heat the air up quickly and disperse it evenly throughout a room. The opposite of radiant heat, convective heat occurs when you stand in the shade on a warm day. You don’t feel the heat of the sun’s rays beating down on your body, but you do feel overall warmth created by hot air rising from the ground. Convection space heaters can produce fan-forced or natural heat. Fan-forced units incorporate small fans to help circulate the air in the room. Portable convection heaters are best for long-term, whole-room heating. Consider using this type of heater in the rooms you use frequently during the day.

Ceramic space heaters are convection heaters that feature a ceramic disc heating element and a fan to distribute heated air evenly and efficiently. Some models oscillate or swivel from side to side to help produce a better directional heat flow in the room. The ceramic heating disc is usually hidden inside the body of the heater to reduce the risk of fire if the heater is tipped over. Moreover, many ceramic heaters remain cool to the touch, reducing your risk of being burned. For these reasons, these units are considered safer than other portable heater types, and are good choices for use in a child’s room or areas where pets move about often.

Micathermic space heaters use a newer heating technology that combines the processes of both convection and radiant heat. They weigh about 50% less than traditional oil column heaters and can heat a large area twice as fast. The fanless technology of portable micathermic heaters ensures that the moisture level of the heating area is maintained, which reduces the incidence of dry spots in the room and dehydrated skin. In addition, the absence of a fan means this type of heater will not re-circulate dust and other allergens throughout a room, a great benefit to allergy- and asthma-sufferers.

Portable Gas Heaters

Portable gas heaters can be fueled by natural gas, butane, propane gas, or kerosene, and are available in two basic types – vented and unvented. Unvented gas heaters are not recommended for use inside the home. They can introduce unwanted and unhealthy combustion products into a living space, such as poisonous carbon monoxide, respiratory-aggravating nitrogen oxides, and polluting water vapor. These heaters can also reduce the level of oxygen in space. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, at least 5 states have banned the use of unvented natural gas heaters indoors, and most states have banned indoor use of unvented kerosene heaters, which can easily spark fires.

Vented gas heaters are designed to be permanently located next to an outside wall, with a flue gas vent installed through the ceiling or wall, leading to the outside. The safest type is one that features 100% sealed combustion or is listed as a “100% outdoor air” unit. A sealed combustion heater features a duct that brings outside air into the burner and a sealed glass cover to keep room air away from the fire. These gas heaters are also less likely to back-draft, which can negatively affect your indoor air quality.
Because of their quick and even heating capabilities, portable gas heaters are good choices to have on hand during winter power outages. However, they are generally unsafe to use regularly indoors. They carry a high risk of starting house fires and can reduce the quality of your indoor air to sometimes fatal levels.

Size of Heater

To ensure safety and energy efficiency, be sure to buy a portable heater that is rated for the approximate square-footage or dimensions of the room or space you will be using it in. A portable gas heater that is too large for a particular space, for example, might exhaust too many unhealthy air pollutants. An electric space heater that is too large for a certain area will consume lots of energy and lead to higher utility bills. On the contrary, buying a portable gas or electric heater rated for a small space to cover a large area increases the risk that the unit will overheat because it has to work harder to heat the space.

Look for a heater’s square-footage rating or room dimension rating listed in its product specifications. You can also figure out how big of an area a portable heater will heat using its wattage output. As a rule of thumb, you will need roughly 10 watts of heating power for every square foot of floor area in the room. Most portable electric heaters put out a maximum of 1,500 watts. This means that a 1,500-watt heater can be the primary heat source for an area measuring up to 150 sq. ft. If it is used as a supplemental heating source, however, the heater will cover a much larger area.

Temperature Controls

Once you have selected the type and size of portable heater that is right for you, you’ll begin weighing the importance of a heater’s convenience features. Temperature control is one feature that has advanced so much overtime that it is now automated in many portable heater models. If you want to forget about the hassle of maintaining the perfect heat setting and save on energy costs in the process, look for a portable heater with a programmable thermostat. This feature allows you to program your desired heat setting using the heater’s manual or analog controls, and the unit will automatically cycle on and off to maintain your desired room temperature. Both digital and analog controls simplify the temperature-setting process. While both types are effective, a heater equipped with digital controls generally provides more precise temperature measurement and control.

Some heaters also feature programmable timers that allow you to further program the unit to turn on and off at certain times throughout the day. For example, if your bedroom feels chilly first thing in the morning, you can program a portable heater to turn on and begin heating the room shortly before you wake up. If you are not home during the daytime, you can program the heater to automatically shutoff around the time you leave the house and turn back on when you return. This feature can also help you save energy because the heater will not operate continuously and eat up energy dollars. Some heater units also feature multiple heat settings to help you choose the most appropriate and comfortable temperature for your space.

Safety Features

Arguably the next most important consideration is safety. Portable heaters, whether electric or gas, can quickly become fire hazards if they are tipped over or placed in close proximity to flammable objects. In addition, if they are not certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NTRL), there might be a chance that they contain faulty and hazardous electrical components. Many manufacturers routinely seek out NTRL safety certifications – such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories), CSA (Canadian Standards Association), ETL (Intertek), and others. Manufacturers are also equipping their heaters with advanced safety features to greatly reduce the risk of fires.

Some portable heaters feature tip-over protection in the form of a switch that automatically shuts the unit off if it is accidentally knocked over. In portable gas heaters, which heat by an open flame, this is an invaluable safety control. But portable electric heaters need it as well. Their internal heating elements can often grow hot enough to ignite combustible objects located nearby. Choosing a portable heater with a tip-over switch is extremely beneficial in preventing household fires caused by these units. Moreover, this feature comes in handy if you will be placing the heater in areas frequented by active children or rambunctious pets.

Portable heaters equipped with heat-resistant exteriors can eliminate the risk of burn injuries caused when touching the unit. These models feature non-flammable, cool-touch cabinets that never grow hot enough to burn anyone who touches the unit. Many Soleus Air heaters are equipped with this feature. Portable heaters that feature front grilles may also include touch sensors that automatically shut off the unit if someone touches the grille.

An overheat protection switch is another helpful safety feature. This switch acts as a sensor, detecting when the heater’s internal components reach an unsafe temperature. When that pre-determined temperature is reached, the unit shuts off automatically.

Heaters equipped with external design features such as caster wheels and easy-to-grip rounded edges reduce the risk of injury when moving the portable heater from room to room. Lightweight units make moving the heater easier on the muscles.

Before purchasing a heater, it’s also a good idea to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure it will not be invalidated in the case of a fire that is accidentally sparked by one of these units. If you rent, examine your renter’s insurance policy for the same information.

Power Consumption

Along with multiple heat settings, some portable electric heaters offer multiple power levels. These levels are generally measured in watts and amps, and can help you further customize your heater’s power output. Many DeLonghi portable heaters feature multiple power levels, including an Auto level designed for energy-efficient operation. This level automatically sets the heater on the lowest effective output power based on the room’s ambient conditions.

Although not always listed in specification lists, a BTU, or British Thermal Unit, rating is another useful piece of knowledge when comparing the energy output of portable heaters. A BTU measures the heating capacity of various fuels, heating units, and cooling systems.

Manufacturers of portable gas heaters list a BTU rating more often than those of portable electric heaters. If a heater’s BTU rating is not listed, you can easily calculate it using the unit’s wattage measurement. To determine the BTU output of a heater, use this equation:

Heater Wattage Rating X 3.413 (the number of BTUs that equal 1 watt) = BTU Output

The higher the BTU rating, the better a unit’s heating performance.

Noise Level

As a general rule of thumb, fan-equipped portable heaters are noisier than fanless units, but not by much. Fanless heaters exhibit nearly silent operation. Look for a decibel rating listed in the heater’s specifications when comparing units. The higher the rating, the louder the heater operates. Most of today’s advanced portable heaters – even those equipped with fans – are still much quieter than older models. Many Vornado heaters are whisper quiet even with internal fans circulating air throughout a room.

Cost Analysis

Before choosing a portable heater, it’s a good idea to figure out the monthly cost of operating the unit to determine if it is economical for your budget. This requires some simple math. To calculate the daily cost of operating a space heater, use this equation:

Kilowatts Used Per Hour X Cost Per Kilowatt Hour of Electricity (kWh) X Number of Hours in Operation Per Day = Daily Operational Cost

To figure out your kilowatts used per hour, divide the wattage of the heater by 1,000. Your cost per kilowatt hour of electricity should be listed on your electric bill. So for example, a 1,500-watt portable space heater that runs for 12 hours per day at a rate of $0.10 per kilowatt hour will cost $1.80 per day. That’s about $54 per month.

1.5 Kilowatts Used Per Hour X 0.10 kWh X 12 hours = $1.80 per day

$1.80 X 30 = $54 per month

Determining the operational cost before purchasing a portable heater will help you visualize the energy cost-savings – or perhaps the added cost – associated with it.

Patio Heaters

Portable patio heaters are effective and stylish additions to an outdoor patio when you want to continue enjoying it throughout the chilly winter months. These heaters, which heat using kerosene, natural gas, butane, or propane, have umbrella-style designs that sit on poles measuring anywhere from 3 to 7 ft. in height. They can generally warm a 20-foot diameter area about 10 degrees. Most have heating capacities rated in BTUs.

Look for models that carry a certified safety seal and feature multiple safety controls such as tilt protection switches, sealed burners, open flame controls, electronic ignitions, and emergency shutoff valves. Portable patio heaters that use bottled fuel are more flexible because you can fill and place them anywhere, not just near the connection of your home’s natural gas line. However, heaters that heat by natural gas might be more economical because they will use your existing fuel connection. Models equipped with infrared heating elements and aluminum reflectors produce the most even heat by guiding the warmth in a downward and outward fashion.

Portable patio heaters are available in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors that can add to the aesthetic design of your patio. Endless Summer heaters feature modern stainless steel designs, high BTU outputs, and multiple safety certifications. Many patio heaters also double as insect repellants, producing an amber-colored heat glow that keeps annoying insects away.