There's a perfect solution for heating any room in your home, and we want to help you find it.
When it comes to heating your home, there are literally dozens of options available to you. Whether you're trying to heat your bedroom, your living room, your bathroom, or even your garage, you'll find that there are plenty of heaters to choose from. Of course, choosing the best heater for any room in your home requires thought and research. To help ease the process, we've reviewed the most common types of electric heaters, explaining the differences and benefits of each to save you time and make your decision easier.
Electric Space Heaters
Electric space heaters are great for smaller to mid-sized spaces such as bedrooms, living areas, offices, and cubicles. When shopping for an electric space heater, consider how you'll be using it before you make a purchase. Here are some of the questions you'll want to ask when deciding which space heater to buy: How large is the space I'm heating? Space heaters come in a variety of sizes, giving you plenty of options when considering how you'll heat the area around you. That said, many smaller heaters won't be able to heat larger spaces effectively, while larger space heaters tend to be a bit too much for more compact areas. How important is portability? If your space heater will always live in the same room, portability may not be as important to you. However, if you plan to bring it with you as you shift about your house, it may be in your best interests to get a lighter space heater designed for portability. If that's the case, we suggest checking out some of the best portable household heaters. Will I be using my heater inside or outside? If you're looking to use it indoors, great! Most electric space heaters are built for indoor use. However, if you're looking for something to keep you warm on your porch or in your garage, you might want to consider something built for that kind of application. Open areas that are poorly insulated tend to be too much for smaller heaters, so you might want to consider a garage heater instead.
Garage Heaters
Garage heaters are cost effective, easy to install, and perfect for larger spaces that aren't as well-insulated as most indoor spaces. They're able to blast out large amounts of hot air, rapidly heating even the largest areas. That said, if you're considering a garage heater, also consider the following: Not all garage heaters need to be hardwired. While there are models out there that can be hardwired by an electrician, there are also units available that can plug into a standard outlet. Always confirm how your garage heater draws power before you buy it. You don't want to buy a heater thinking it will work with your 120V outlet and later learn you need to call an electrician just to get it working. Do you need it to be portable? If you're planning on moving it around a lot, you'll want to be sure to choose a garage heater that's portable. Garage heaters are still larger than space heaters, but portable units will often have a carrying handle and/or wheels that make it easier to move around. In many instances, garage heaters can even be mounted in an out of the way position. Consider insulating your garage. While garage heaters are great for large, open spaces, you'll get more for your money in an insulated space. You'll lose far less heat if your garage door is completely closed, if your windows are closed, and you have insulation installed to help retain some of the heat. A garage won't always be as easy to insulate as the space directly inside your home, but some insulation is far better than none.
Bathroom Heaters
If you're looking to heat a bathroom, your everyday electric space heater just won't do. You need something designed specifically for use in a bathroom and a heater that won't present a safety risk for you and your family. Bathroom heaters do just that. They're either installed in the wall or mounted to it, meaning they're far less of a safety risk than standard electric heaters. Bathroom heaters are also typically very easy to install, though you will want to consult a professional if you don't feel comfortable installing one yourself or if any electrical work is involved.
Baseboard Heaters
Electric baseboard heaters are an excellent way to heat your home, especially if you're looking for a zone heating solution that's discreet, yet effective. While electric baseboard heaters are usually mounted on the wall, portable units are also available. Baseboard heaters are considered to be quite safe and are very easy to maintain. In fact, most of the common problems with baseboard heaters have a very simple DIY solution.
Other House Heating Alternatives
Of course, you're not limited to the heating options listed above. Ceiling heaters tend to be a great option for garages, patios, gazebos, and other outdoor facilities. Likewise, electric wall heaters are perfect if you're looking for a solution with a small footprint that's generally out of the way while providing an excellent source of heat. That said, if you're truly stuck and still can't figure out which heater is best for your needs, it may be time to contact an expert who can answer your specific questions.
