| Mall space heaters are normally used when the | | | | uses a blower to push heat out from the heater. |
| main heating system is not quite enough or when | | | | The fan blows air across the pipes that contain |
| central heating is too costly. If you have a room | | | | the heated oil. This heats the room more quickly |
| that just doesn't seem to stay warm on some of | | | | and evenly, even though you really cant feel the |
| winters colder nights this device will help. Some | | | | same type of heat as the conventional type of |
| units may or may not save you money | | | | heaters. They are economical, in the fact that |
| depending on how you use them and what type | | | | they rely on energy to heat their internal oil, then |
| of heater you buy. If you are using it to help heat | | | | once warm, it can use the warm oil to continue |
| a room were there isn't enough heat coming | | | | to heat the room. |
| from the vents from your furnace and want to | | | | Radiant Space Heaters are fast and quick to heat. |
| keep that particular room warmer it is ideal. If | | | | As soon as they are turned on, they immediately |
| you need to put one in each room in your home | | | | radiate heat to whatever is within its path. They |
| you need to look into buying a heat pump or | | | | are not normally used for heating an entire room, |
| central heating. Space heaters are normally judged | | | | as they heat objects rather than the air. Many |
| or bought by how many BTU's (British Thermal | | | | radiant heaters also go by different names; |
| Units) They normally have a range starting from | | | | ceramic, infrared, quartz & halogen light |
| 10,000 Btu's to maxing out right around 40,000 | | | | space heaters are all types of radiant space |
| BTu's. With the lesser Btu's being the least | | | | heaters. These units can be easily moved from |
| expensive. | | | | place to place. |
| There are several types of units that you can | | | | The Unites States Department of Energy |
| buy. Convection space heaters which generate | | | | recommends these precautions when using a |
| heat like an electric range does. This heat energy | | | | space heater."Only purchase newer model heaters |
| is then distributed through the room through | | | | that have all of the current safety features. Make |
| convection, along with conduction and forced air. | | | | sure the heater has the Underwriter's Laboratory |
| This is great for a room that needs a, quiet and | | | | (UL) label attached to it. Choose a thermostatically |
| economical heat source. These units do not heat | | | | controlled heaters, since they avoid the energy |
| a room quite as quickly as some of the other | | | | waste of overheating a room. Select a heater of |
| types of units, but will sustain its heat for long | | | | the proper size for the room you wish to heat. |
| period of time. | | | | Do not purchase over sized heaters. Most heaters |
| Fan Forced Convection Heating types of units are | | | | come with a general sizing table. Locate the |
| similar to the convection type however they have | | | | heater on a level surface away from foot traffic. |
| a fan to gently push out heat, they are a bit | | | | Be especially careful to keep children and pets |
| more noisier than regular convection, however | | | | away from the heater." |
| can heat a room quicker because of the fan. This | | | | Using electric space heaters are normally more |
| is the most popular style of heater that is sold | | | | expensive to operate than combustion space |
| today. It can be carried from room to room and | | | | heater types. They do not have the Btu's that a |
| are normally very portable. | | | | combustion heater offers either. However they |
| Oil filled heaters come in two different types | | | | offer more value because they do not have to |
| active and passive. Passive forms of oil heaters | | | | be vented outside and do not have to be |
| are the most common. They look like the old | | | | refueled. When buying and installing any type of |
| radiators found in older homes and apartment | | | | heater, you should follow these general safety |
| buildings. They work by heating an element at the | | | | guidelines:Electric heaters should be plugged directly |
| bottom of the heater which warms the oil, as it | | | | into the wall outlet. When using extension cord be |
| circulates through the heater. Passive radiator | | | | sure it the heavy-duty type of cord that has at |
| style heaters give off a consistent even heat and | | | | least 14-gauge wire or better. |
| are very quiet. The problem with this type of unit | | | | For portable electric heaters, buy a unit with a |
| is that you need to be close to the unit to | | | | tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts |
| actually feel the heater working. Active forms of | | | | off the heater if the unit is tipped over. This is an |
| oil heaters run the same way as the passive | | | | awesome feature so be sure to check the |
| radiant type however instead of relying on the | | | | products labeling to be sure your unit has this |
| heat to slowly radiate out from the oil heater, it | | | | feature. |