Advantages of having a high-quality heater for large rooms
You may find it difficult to heed a large room because normal heaters have trouble doing their job when they have to deal with a lot of space. With a high-quality heater for large rooms, you get efficient heating and portability in the same unit, so you can easily heat an entire space or just a targeted corner that you may find difficult to bring to a cozy temperature. By choosing a high-quality heater, you can be sure that your room will be heated safely and that you don’t add too much to your electricity bill.
Features to consider when choosing a heater for a large room
Just like in the case of many other home appliances, it is important to consider multiple features before deciding which large room heater would work best for your home. Below we have summarized the most important elements to take into account before parting with your money.
Type of heater
The main types of heaters for large rooms are as follows:
- Convective Space Heaters – these models have fans that blow air multiple heating elements and circulate it into your room. While they may make some noise, these heaters are affordable and easy-to-use.
- Radiant Space Heaters – these heaters transfer heat to the object or person located directly in their path. While they don’t heat the air in the room, they are perfect for those who want to keep a particular corner of a room warm and cozy. Also, because they don’t blow air, these heaters are a good solution for those with allergies.
- Micathermic Space Heaters – combining radiant and convection heating systems, these heaters are a good solution for those who suffer from asthma or other allergies. They don’t have fans and are usually quieter than other models.
- Ceramic Space Heaters – based on the convection principle, ceramic space heaters heat up the air and then disperse it throughout the room. They often tend to cover a larger area than radiant models and don’t need any type of fuel to function.
- Oil Space Heaters – even though oil may take some time to heat up, these radiators provide warmth for the entire area.
Wattage and heat settings
The wattage of a portable heater refers to its maximum output of electrical power, and generally, a heater with a higher wattage will be able to generate more power. Keep in mind, however, that the relationship between efficient room heating and wattage is not always a straightforward one. This means that you shouldn’t compare different models just based on wattage. Various heaters come with different numbers of settings.
As a rule of thumb, the greater the number of settings, the more temperature control you have when using the heater.
An eco-mode (at around 500 Watts) is always welcomed when it comes to saving money on your electricity bills.
Heating area
Not all heaters can heat the same room size, so it’s essential to make sure the model you choose fits your needs. Some models may boast capacities for large areas, but this doesn’t mean that you should use them as the sole heating units of the home. Moreover, keep in mind that infrared models can be used for specific zones in a room, and may not be able to heat the entire space. These portable heaters should always be considered as supplemental heaters to your central heating system or furnace.
Timer
A timer gives you control over the amount of time the heater remains turned on for. This feature comes in handy for those times you don’t want to babysit the appliance, but need to turn it off after a specific amount of time – when you leave the house for work, for example, or if you want your room to be warm when you come back.
Thermostat
A heater with efficient thermostat control can save you money, because you can keep the room at your chosen, precise temperature. The thermostat will turn the appliance on and off as required, to maintain a constant temperature.
Remote control
Opting for a heater with a remote control means that you can control the temperature and switch the appliance off from the comfort of your sofa. Not all models have this feature, though, but our best all-around choice, the LifeSmart 6 Element does boast this addition.
Safety – overheat and tip-over protection
It’s essential to consider the safety features of a portable heater because these appliances can theoretically be fire hazards. This aspect is even more important if you have kids or pets in your home.
Look for a model that comes with tip-over protection, such as the Bionaire Silent Micathermic Console Heater, for example, which switches off automatically when tipped over. Another useful safety feature is overheat protection, which means that the heater turns off automatically when it reaches a certain temperature to avoid overheating.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the portable heater are important because you need to make sure the appliance you buy fits well in the designed space. Most models fit well into a corner and have wheels so you can easily position them exactly where you want.
Weight
The weight of the heater is an important feature to consider because these are portable appliances. As such, you may want to move the heater around quite a lot in your room or even the house, so the weight should be manageable. If the model you choose has wheels, its weight is not much of an issue, though.
Warranty
Most of the heaters for large rooms available on the market come with a one-year warranty, which means that you are covered for parts and labor during the period. Some brands offer users the option to purchase an additional warranty.
