Energy Efficient Electric Heater- Buying Guide and Best Sellers

In terms of energy efficiency, electric heaters are great for adding supplemental heat when the main heating source is inadequate or when central heating may be too costly to install or to operate.

In fact, the use of an energy efficient space heater may even be less expensive to operate if it is only used to heat a small room or area, or to boost the temperature of rooms used by individuals sensitive to cold. In addition, space heaters do not lose any energy through ducts or combustion, so they are considered to be almost 100% efficient. Almost all of the warmth generated by a space heater will radiate into a room.

For industrial areas such as warehouses and workspaces, fueled heaters such as kerosene and propane heaters are great because they use little to no electricity. However, these cannot be used in areas without adequate ventilation, and they can carry some safety risks.

For home use, energy efficient portable heaters are more suitable. Most electric space heaters use convection to heat a room. When used as a supplemental heat source in combination with an existing central heating system, portable electric space heaters can be very affordable. As well, some electric heaters also rely on radiant heating, meaning they emit infrared heat in the same way the sun warms the earth. Only the objects around the heater are warmed, and for this reason, the use of these heaters can be very energy efficient, as an infrared heater immediately transfers heat to occupants and not the entire room or area. These heaters can also heat up a room or area much faster, as heat is easily directed to the space being heated in a precise beam. Lastly, consider the use of an oil-filled radiator heater. Like an energy efficient electric heater, oil-filled heaters are ideal when your central heating system is not sufficient. These are safe, silent, and energy efficient because they automatically maintain optimal room temperature.

Therefore, with all of the above heating choices available, you can still save money on your energy bill and keep your home or living space comfortable. For additional money savings, follow these tips as well:

1. Choose a heater with a timer or that is thermostatically controlled. These heaters can avoid the energy waste of overheating a room.

2. Purchase a heater of the proper size for the room or area you wish to heat. Do not choose an oversized heater, and pay attention to watts. With a 10/1 ratio of watts to square feet heated, a 1500 watt space heater (120 volts) will heat an insulated area of 150 square feet, and a garage heater rated at 5,000 watts should heat an area over 400 square feet.

3. Try not to leave your space heater on the high setting, and turn the heater off when you are away. Space heaters can consume large amounts of energy if left on continuously.

4. Keep your doors and windows closed in order to minimize heat loss and for optimal heating effectiveness. Frequent switching a heater on and off and adjusting the thermostat will also increase energy usage.

Top 3 Best Selling Energy Efficient Electric Heaters At Amazon.com

(1) Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater with Adjustable Thermostat
Perfect for those chilly days in the home or at the office, this ceramic heater features easy manual controls, three settings, and an adjustable thermostat for personalized comfort. Wait for the heater to warm up before turning the thermostat knob from low to high. The second control knob allows for selecting a 1500-watt high setting (5118 BTUs), a 900-watt low setting (3070 BTUs), and a fan-only option, which produces general, no-heat air circulation. Other highlights include a self-regulating ceramic element, quiet operation, and automatic overheat protection for safety. The unit's smaller size ensures effective, consistent heating without getting in the way, while its convenient carrying handle makes it simple to transport from the floor to the table or room to room. The heater grill can be cleaned with the vacuum brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner, which will remove lint and dirt from the inside of the heater. Clean the body of the heater with a soft cloth as needed. The UL-listed ceramic heater measures 7-2/5 by 6-3/5 by 10 inches and carries a three-year warranty.

(2) Eco-heater 602 High-Efficiency Electric Panel Whole-Room Heater
Keep rooms up to 120 square feet comfortably warm all winter long with this electric panel heater. Similar to a central heating system, yet far less expensive, the unit allows for extended use and doesn't take up any floor space. The out-of-the-way heater mounts directly to the wall and can be plugged into any standard wall outlet or hardwired, taking less than 10 minutes to install. A smart alternative to conventional space heaters and other systems that use large amounts of energy, the heater heats an entire room using the same amount of electricity as four 100-watt light bulbs. Its efficient convection technology generates heat behind the unit, drawing cold air into the 3/4-inch gap between the heater and the wall and releasing about 90 percent in an up-draft from the top of the unit out into the room, with only 10 percent radiating forward from the front of the panel. This creates a natural circulation of warm air throughout the room without the need for fans. Furthermore, the neutral-white unit can be painted with water-based Latex paint to match any wall color. A mounting kit comes included. Safe, efficient, and economical, the UL-listed heater measures 23-1/4 by 23-1/4 by 3/8 inches and carries a two-year warranty.

(3) Lasko 758000 Cyclonic Ceramic Heater
Effectively heat any room in the home with this intelligently engineered cyclonic ceramic heater. The unit provides easy-to-use electronic controls, an adjustable thermostat, and a seven-hour timer for creating a personalized comfort level. Its three quiet-comfort settings include a 1500-watt high setting (5118 BTUs), a 750-watt low setting (2559 BTUs), as well as a thermostat-controlled automatic setting. A louver on the top front grill allows for vertical adjustment of air flow. Slide the louver control up or down to adjust the air flow as desired. Built-in safety features include a self-regulating ceramic element and automatic overheat protection. The unit blends beautifully into modern home decor with its attractive platinum finish and zero tolerance space-saving design, which can be placed at the wall. The ETL-listed ceramic heater measures 18 by 7-4/5 by 26 inches and carries a three-year warranty.