Space heaters, also known as portable heaters are a popular item that has been used for years. They are commonly used to add extra warmth to a particular room. Oftentimes people use them to offset an inefficient central heating system, drafty house, or to save money instead of turning up the thermostat. Portable heaters are also available for commercial and industrial uses.
Types
There are a number of different types available that use different sources to create heat. Commonly used are propane gas, electric and kerosene heaters. There are also different methods used for these types of units to generate heat.
Radiant heat is a popular heat source. These produce infrared heat that is absorbed into a room. Much like the sun heats a room, a radiant heater is the same idea. It creates an even temperature by absorbing objects in a room rather than using a circulation of warmed air to raise temperatures.
What we frequently think of when we think of space heaters are those that circulate air. A fan circulates air that has been warmed. This air is then pushed into a room to create a raise in temperature. These tend to operate at a higher noise level than radiant heat but today’s version have very quiet motors due to manufacturing and technology advances.
Safety Features
All portable heaters can provide a great benefit. When choosing the right space heater you want to keep several key features in mind:
* Controllable temperatures
* Safe cords, plug-ins and wiring
* Place the space heater in a safe area
* Do not leave a space heater operating unattended
* Look for a portable heater with a protective covering
When it comes to using supplemental heat, there are some additional safety hazards that if improperly used, accidents can occur. One important point to keep in mind is that space heaters can release toxic gases into the air. Carbon monoxide is a concern when using any heat source. You should have detectors available for these items. Heaters that burn oils or gases also require special ventilation due to the byproducts of these reactions.
When choosing a portable heater, make sure you select the unit that matches your need and application and provides efficient and effective heating results.
