| For a variety of reasons, consumers are often | | | | extremities comfortably warm. |
| disappointed by the performance of their newly | | | | Another interesting use for under the desk radiant |
| acquired small space heater. | | | | heat panels is hanging them on, or near, a bird |
| It's easy to achieve comfort, and avoid | | | | cage to keep your feathered friends warm. |
| disappointment, by answering the following | | | | Do Have Children or Pets? |
| questions before you buy. | | | | Space heater safety takes on added significance |
| How Many People Do You Want to Make | | | | when you have inquisitive toddlers and/or nosy |
| Comfortable? | | | | pets running around. |
| This might sound obvious, but there is a multitude | | | | 15 years ago, an oil filled heater was my first |
| of small space heaters designed for different | | | | choice. I never had any problems with this type |
| purposes. | | | | of heater or how my kids interacted with it. |
| If you are the only person requiring additional | | | | Today you can purchase micathermic flat panel |
| heat, a radiant heater will be more effective than | | | | and ceramic space heaters that can be hung on |
| a convection heater. Radiant heaters warm people | | | | the wall, away from little hands and cold noses. |
| and objects first, not the air. When you turn on a | | | | Does Anyone in Your Family Have Allergies or |
| radiant heater, you will feel instant, focused | | | | Respiratory Problems? |
| warmth. | | | | If this is the case, you should be aware that fan |
| A convection heater works by warming the air, | | | | assisted heaters tend to stir up dust and allergens. |
| which in turn eventually warms you. Most | | | | You can get around this problem by purchasing a |
| convection heaters take 20 minutes or more to | | | | micathermic or oil filled heater. Quartz infrared and |
| heat an average sized room. However, in a room | | | | radiant heaters without a fan will also eliminate this |
| occupied by 3 or 4 people at that same time, like | | | | problem. |
| a family room, a convection heater provides even | | | | Space Heater Safety |
| heat enjoyable by all. | | | | Never buy a space heater that isn't UL listed. |
| How Much Space Are You Heating? | | | | Take time to read the manufacture's safety |
| Since most space heaters max out at 1500 watts | | | | instructions. If you must use an extension cord, |
| (5120 BTUs), they won't heat much more than | | | | or your computer is plugged into the same circuit |
| 150 square feet. The results you get from any | | | | as your small space heater, use a power strip |
| space heater will vary according to room ceiling | | | | surge protector. |
| height and the quality of a home's insulation. | | | | Place your space heater on a level surface away |
| A drafty room with 8 foot ceilings will not reach | | | | from combustibles and don't use it to dry clothes. |
| the same degree of comfort as a room with 7 | | | | Don't leave your small space heater running if |
| foot ceilings in a well insulated home using the | | | | you're not at home. If you want your space |
| same heater. | | | | heated room to be comfortable when you get |
| If you're interested in heating your office cubicle | | | | home from work, buy a space heater with a |
| or bathroom, a small ceramic heater will provide | | | | programmable thermostat. |
| plenty of warmth. For under the desk heat, a low | | | | Purchase only the models with tip over (automatic |
| wattage radiant heat panel will keep your lower | | | | off) switches and over heat protection. |