How to Buy an Energy Saver Space Heater

Space heaters can warm up smaller spaces.

Heating costs are very high during winter months in many states. Buying a space heater can sometimes be a good way to save money and energy, depending on the current heating options in a home. Buying the best available space heater can save energy and avoid excess costs in electricity. Though there are not currently energy star rated space heaters, there are quality space heaters that do not use as much energy as traditional space heaters.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Look at the BTUs the space heater uses. Usually space heater ranges will be between 10,000 BTUs per hour to 40,000 BTUs per hour. Ideally, the best energy-saving space heaters will have a lower number of BTUs. Keep in mind that sometimes these lower BTU space heaters do not heat as well as the higher BTU space heaters.

2. Pay attention to the type of space heater. There are various types, including electric, natural gas and kerosene. The most common and easily found space heaters are often electric, which can be purchased at most stores around the country during winter. Keep in mind that electric heating can be costly, but electric heaters are often very hot so they don’t require as long a time period of using energy.

3. Measure the area of the house that will be heated using a space heater. Small space heaters will require more energy to heat a larger room because they will be on for a long period of time to keep the room comfortable. Using a small space heater for smaller spaces is energy efficient when compared to using the larger space heaters for the small spaces because they need around the same time to heat the room, but the smaller space heaters use fewer BTUs per hour than larger space heaters.

4. Purchase a space heater that is appropriate for the specific space being used and which has the fewest BTUs available for that space. Larger space heaters are best for larger area and smaller space heaters using fewer BTUs are best for smaller spaces.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at safety features. Electric space heaters can be costly, but they are also the safest option. All space heaters have a risk of fire, but some also have a risk of CO2 or similar problems. Safety features are important to a space heater.

References

• The Dollar Stretcher: Choosing a Space Heater
• U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Savers: Portable Heaters