What is the Most Energy Efficient Heater?

When trying to pick out a heater, you want to choose something that will help you save money and stay energy efficient. You also must consider which heater you need based on the size of a room or decide if you are trying to heat a large space!

Typically, portable space heaters tend to be the go-to for many people, but you have to pay attention to the different types of heaters and fuel types they use to help you get the most efficient and helpful solution!

Electric

• An electric heater comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes mostly for indoor use. Many different systems can also include a remote control for ease of use.
• The heater converts electrical energy to heat energy to help warm up a space; typically, a single room.
• Electric heaters can be wall mounted or installed on a ceiling or baseboard.

Kerosene

• A kerosene heater is typically a portable heater that has a large amount of power and can produce a lot of heat.
• They can typically heat up an entire home, but you have to be careful when using it because it needs to be well ventilated.
• They are often used to heat large areas, such as a warehouses, and help reduce heating bills tremendously.

Propane

• A propane heater can be used indoor and outdoors, but you must have a safe design and place in mind to put it before purchasing.
• Depending on the type of environment you are warming up, you can use radiant, convective, or fan forced heat, but you have to be careful of where you store the gas and where you place the heater.

Oil filled and Hydronic

• An oil filled heater is a form of a convection heater that is very common in residential use and is filled with oil.
• This heater is an electric heater and it heats the oil as a buffer instead of a fuel source.
• A hydronic heater, also known as a water heater or a boiler, is typically fueled by natural gas, but much like the oil heater, it uses hot water to stay warm.
• These types of heaters tend to stay warm and generate heat even when turned off.
• The oil and water heaters take a long time to warm up as well as distribute the heat to an area.

Pellet

• A pellet heater/stove is powered by burning compressed wood or biomass pellets to create heat and is incredibly powerful.
• By adding “fuel to the fire” consistently, you won’t have to make many physical adjustments.
• These heaters are often placed out of the way due to its appearance, but more modern versions of the heater are being used in residential and sometimes industrial locations.

Natural Gas

• A natural gas heater is a space heater that can be used indoors or outdoors depending on the type of heater.
• By burning natural gas, your home or work space will be heated properly for a low price!
• One of these energy efficient heaters is easy to install and are effective for a long period of time.

SAFETY NOTE: Be careful when using or installing gas heaters! A lot of the fuels, such as propane and kerosene, need to be properly stored and the heaters need to be located in a safe and ventilated area!

As you can see, each heater is different and are more energy efficient for certain areas over others. I know; you still may be asking: “how do I pick a heater?” Depending on if you are looking to heat a room or an entire household, different heaters work best in different scenarios. For example:

• Using a thermostat can help you control temperatures throughout the day so that your heat doesn’t run on its own.
  • Try to set your temperature at 85 Fahrenheit, and if it is not warm enough, raise it by one degree each day until it is comfortable.
• Use a portable heater so that you can use zone heating. Zone heating will help you isolate heat in one or two rooms that you use the most instead of trying to spread heat in places you aren’t in.
• Make sure your home is updated on insulation to stay energy efficient! To help keep the heat in your home, make sure to have both your walls and ceilings insulated, and if you want to go the extra mile, double glaze your windows!
• Put your heater on a timer and a schedule so that the heating will fluctuate throughout the day and will not be overcompensating for when you are not there.

Which energy efficient heater do you use? Do you try to heat one room at a time or an entire space?

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