Portable space heaters

Heat small spaces with a space heater

Portable space heaters can be a good option to heat small spaces and help you avoid having to turn on your baseboard heaters. However they can be very energy-hungry, so it's best to use them sparingly and efficiently to avoid a spike in your energy costs.

Using our cost calculator, you'll see that a 1,400-watt space heater used an average of four hours a day will cost you about $19 a month to operate.

Space heater efficiency tips

To maximize your comfort and energy efficiency, follow these tips when using a space heater:

Only use them to heat a small room or space – such as under your desk.
Place your space heater facing out of a corner of the room.
Close doors and windows to hold in the heat.
Only use space heaters for short periods of time when you really need them.
Turn it off when you leave the room.

Space heater safety tips

If not used correctly, space heaters can be a fire hazard. To keep you and your household safe, follow these important safety tips:

Always position a space heater on a level, hard surface on the floor.
Plug it directly into an outlet, not an extension cable.
Don’t place it near liquids or any loose fabrics, such as blankets or drapes.
Choose a space heater with the latest safety features like overheat and tip-over protection.
Don’t leave your space heater running unattended or while you’re asleep.

Types of space heaters

Choosing the right space heater for your home depends on the area you need to heat.

Convection space heaters

The most common and inexpensive type of space heater is a convection space heater. These have electric or ceramic heating elements and use a fan to blow warm air out into the room. These typically start at around $25.

Convection space heaters are ideal for heating a small room or space, such as under a desk in an enclosed office.

Pros

Inexpensive
Instant heat when you turn it on
Lightweight and easily portable
Built-in tip-over protection
Cool to the touch

Cons

No residual heat when you turn it off
Fans can be noisy
Only effective in small spaces
Reliant on good home insulation for heat retention
Exposed elements can be potentially dangerous

Radiant oil-filled heaters

Don’t be fooled by the name – oil-filled heaters don't run on fuel. They have electric elements that heat up oil-filled cells which radiate heat out into the room. Prices start at around $75.

Radiant oil-filled space heaters are ideal for adding warmth to a room that you're going to be in for a while, such as a corner of your living room in the evening.

Pros

Radiates heat long after you turn it off
Able to warm up a whole room
No noisy fan
Unlikely to tip over
Cool to the touch

Cons

Slow to heat up
Heavy to move around
Old-fashioned radiator look

Infrared space heaters

Infrared space heaters emit an orange-red glow and invisible infrared heat that warms anything directly in front of them. They’re also available in a variety of portable and fixed styles and have the added benefit of promoting blood circulation. Prices start at about $90.

Infrared space heaters are ideal for focused heat to keep you warm during static activities, such as working from home or watching TV.

Pros

Relatively inexpensive
Instant, focused heat when you turn it on
No noisy fan
Unlikely to tip over
Cool to the touch

Cons

No residual heat when you turn it off
Only effective in small spaces
Reliant on good home insulation for heat retention

Portable space heaters

Heat small spaces with a space heater

Space heater efficiency tips

Space heater safety tips