Space Heaters. Despite the jokes about living in the desert, East Phoenix residents know it gets quite chilly during the winter. Rather than paying high-energy bills to run the AC all day, you may benefit from purchasing a space heater instead. These handy items can keep a single room warm with relatively little effort and are quite affordable.

Choosing the Right Space Heaters

However, it’s essential that you find the right heater. If you’ve never bought one before, you may be wondering how to choose a space heater that meets your unique needs. Fortunately, you can find the perfect model by considering the following factors.

Noise Level

Every space heater is bound to make some noise while running, but you don’t want one so loud you can’t comfortably watch TV or have a conversation. There are a few options that are nearly silent, including baseboard heaters and oil-filled radiators. However, these have their own pros and cons.

Alternatively, if you choose a fan-forced heater, you’ll have some noise. However, some brands are quieter than others, which means you can find a tolerable option by reading reviews.

Safety Features

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a space heater is safety. Many portable heaters pose a fire hazard as they may ignite cloth that gets too close to the heat source. Others run the risk of burning pets or kids who get too close. Those that rely on electricity may also pose an electrical fire hazard, depending on the construction.

However, there are ways to mitigate these risks. Many heaters come with safety features to prevent injury or damage, allowing you to enjoy their comfort without concern:

Overheat Protection: Like any kind of electrical or mechanical equipment, space heaters have internal components that can be damaged from excessive heat. Many models have an overheat protection feature that causes them to shut off if it exceeds a specific temperature. This not only protects your home from harm but also ensures your heater lasts longer.
Topple Protection: Many space heaters are small units you can place wherever you like. While this is convenient, there’s a risk of toppling if they’re bumped. Some heaters have elements that shouldn’t be in contact with upholstery or carpet, making toppling a fire hazard. However, most portable units have topple protection, which causes them to shut off automatically if they fall from the upright position.
Cool Surfaces: To prevent burns, many manufacturers make units’ exteriors cool to the touch. This allows owners to pick them up even while they’re running, which may be necessary if there’s a spill or other accident nearby. It’s also quite convenient, as owners don’t have to turn the heaters off and wait for them to cool every time they want to move them to a new area.

Energy Efficiency

If you live in East Phoenix, you’re probably familiar with the high-energy bills that accompany summer. Winter is an opportunity to keep costs low by not running the AC. However, if you pick the wrong space heater, you could be stuck with expensive electricity bills anyway.

Fortunately, there are energy-efficient models available. Many manufacturers include energy-saving features to help homeowners manage their carbon footprint and their energy bills. One of the most useful energy-saving features is the adjustable thermostat. Not only does this conserve electricity, but it also keeps you comfortable.

Additionally, many units have timers you can set. This allows you to heat a room for a specified amount of time, after which the unit shuts off. There are also low-wattage models and units with energy-saving modes. Both ensure that you stay comfortable while using minimal power.

Heating Capacity

To effectively heat a room, you need to choose a unit with adequate heating capacity. Otherwise, you’ll still be cold even with your space heater on full blast. You can figure out how much space your heater affects by dividing its wattage by 10. This gives you the maximum square feet of space the unit can keep warm.

Heater Type

Now that we’ve talked about features, let’s look at the heater types. There are a variety of models, some used for decades, while others are new inventions. Of course, each has its own pros and cons:

Fuel-Based Heater: Natural gas, propane, and kerosene heaters are all fuel-based models and were once the only option to heat your home. Today, they’re not recommended for indoor use, as they contain an actual flame. However, they’re quite useful for outdoor areas such as patios as they’re cheaper to run than electric units.
Micathermic Heater: Micathermic heaters are relatively thin, which means they can fit in various spaces. They’re quite efficient and run on electricity.
Fan-Forced Heater: As the name implies, fan-forced heaters have an internal fan that activates when switched on. It blows air across the heating element, causing heated air to filter into your home.
Radiant Heater: Rather than using air to distribute heat, radiant heaters rely on electromagnetic waves. A good comparison is sunlight; sunlight also travels along electromagnetic waves and can heat items it comes into contact with. Radiant heaters are great for open spaces but require a line of sight to experience the effects.
Convection Heater: Convection heaters warm air like fan-forced units, but instead of relying on fans, they allow the hot air to rise naturally. The one drawback is that without a fan, the process of heating can be slow, especially if the room you want to warm is large.

Heater Placement

Where you place your unit is just as important as what type of heater you choose, as the location can affect how efficiently warmth is dispersed. Some models only work with specific placements, so make sure you consider location as you choose your space heater type.

Wall Heater: Wall heaters are installed directly into interior walls. While they’re excellent at warming rooms, they’re not mobile, so where you install it is where it’s going to stay.
Tower Heater: Tower heaters are shaped like desktop towers, though they’re not as heavy. They’re built for mobility, so they’re a great option if you want a unit you can move from room to room.
Compact Space Heater: Compact space heaters are built to be mobile like tower heaters, but they’re usually smaller for greater convenience. They’re also square or round and are intended to warm a small area rather than an entire room.
Baseboard Heater: As you might imagine, baseboard heaters are very low to the ground. They tend to belong, and while you can move them if necessary, they aren’t specifically built to be mobile. Instead, they’re designed to heat whatever room they’re currently in thoroughly.

Contact the Heating Experts in East Phoenix

Are you looking for a solution to cold winter days? Then Superstition Cooling can help. We’ve served the San Tan Valley area for nearly a decade and are proud to offer our heating and cooling expertise to Arizona homeowners. For more information or to get an estimate, give us a call at 480-983-7407 or contact us online.

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