| Space heaters come in electric, infrared, ceramic, | | | | your kitchen counter tops are cool to the touch. |
| baseboard, quartz, micrathermic, natural gas, | | | | This is convection type heating. |
| kerosene, propane and probably some more. It | | | | For you to feel comfortable there are three |
| can be very confusing. However, there are really | | | | critical elements. They are heat, humidity and wind |
| only two basic types; convection and radiant. | | | | speed. Heat is somewhat obvious. However, if the |
| Which type you need is dependent upon your | | | | humidity is low your skin will evaporate moisture |
| circumstances. | | | | which makes you feel cooler and if the air is |
| Radiant space heaters use light waves to heat an | | | | blowing you will lose heat faster. This is evident on |
| object and then the object heats the room. This | | | | a cool day when you know you need an extra |
| is much like the sunshine you feel on a cool day. | | | | layer if the wind is blowing vs. a still day at the |
| The sun warms you but you can feel the cool air | | | | same temperature. |
| surrounding you. As soon as the sun goes down | | | | Radiant space heaters do not lower the humidity |
| the temperature feels like it falls very quickly. | | | | or create wind speed. This is their strongest |
| Infrared, quartz and halogen type heaters fall into | | | | attribute. However, since they heat objects, then |
| the radiant space heater category. | | | | the objects heat the room they are slower to |
| Convection type space heaters warm the air | | | | raise the overall temperature although you may |
| which in turn warms you. Included in this category | | | | feel comfortable with a lower room temperature. |
| are baseboard electric heaters, oil or water filled | | | | If you or a small area is all that is need to be |
| radiator style heaters and basically any type | | | | heated then a radiant space heater is the best |
| space heater that burns a fossil fuel directly. | | | | choice. If you have a large living room to be |
| Imagine standing in front of your home's | | | | heated for a shorter period of time then a |
| centralized heating system outlet and feeling the | | | | convection space heater may be the best choice. |
| warm air rush over you but at the same time | | | | |