According to the The U.S. Department of Energy it is more efficient to use an electric space heaters in one room than it is to heat an entire house with central heat. There are a number of options available when choosing an electric space heater. Since it is not possible to discuss them all this website will look at the various types available.
Small space heaters are used most often to supplement the main heating system or when central heating is too expensive to install or operate, such as in a vacation home. In most cases, small electric space heaters are cheaper to use if you only want to heat one room. They can also help raise the temperature in rooms used by people who are sensitive to cold, especially the elderly, without making the rest of the house too warm. A rule of thumb for sizing a space heater is 10 watts for each square foot. Using this rule, a 1500 watt space heater would heat 144 sq. ft. or a 12′x 12′ room.
Portable electric space heaters are broken down into several types. Among them are the a plain convection heater which is the simplest kind. Then there is the fan-forced convection type, oil filled electric space heater, infrared space heaters, and radiant heater. While each run on electricity, they each offer a slightly different means of providing heat. Most electric space heaters use convection to heat a room. They have a huge advantage over combustion heaters in that they are safe to use without venting. They dont need a chimney or other venting mechanism. Therefore, they are a good heating solution in many situations and in climates with only a few cold days during the year.
Infrared space heaters can cut your heating bill up to 50%. They use infrared heat to a room of up to 1000 square feet evenly and efficiently. They do not get scorching hot, cannot start a fire, and will not reduce the humidity or oxygen level in the room. They are very energy efficient and cost effective way of heating your home. Infrared technology does not use as much energy as the leading space heater and you will get more heating from an infrared heater than you would from traditional portable electric heating options. An infrared heater transfers most of the heat through direct infrared radiation to heat up objects being in the line of sight of the radiation to heat the occupants o the room. You save money by just heating people and not heating the whole room.
Oil space heaters are actually oil-filled. These units are heavy but portable. They are very safe to use. They are frequently used in children’s rooms. It can take a while before the oil heats up, but once heated the oil stays warm for a long period of time. This type of heater provides a steady heat source for an entire room and is one of the most energy efficient options. They are safe, silent, and energy efficient because they automatically maintain optimal room temperature.