I have a drafty, chilly room in this apt. I want to get an electric space heater. Any recommendations? Are those Pilonis oil-filled radiators any good, Craigslist here has one for $25? What about those quartz things? I don't anything that requires a lot of attention.
Space Heaters
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As I understand it, those quartz and/or oil filled ones are very efficient.
Check with a Consumer Reports Buying Guide for tips and test results.
As I understand it, those quartz and/or oil filled ones are very efficient.
Check with a Consumer Reports Buying Guide for tips and test results.
Window film or some insulation might fix the problem, and need no electricity after initial installation.
I agree with trying to insulate/stop the drafts first. The larger resistance electric 120v portable heaters are rated about 1500 watts. That's only about 4000 btu's. Electricity is around 10 cents a kW nowadays. You're going to be paying 15 cents an hour for probably not enough heat to counter the drafts. Also, maxing out the amperage on an unknown circuit can create fire hazards if the wiring isn't up to code.
Insulating is always a good idea. If you still want a heater then consider some of the features of each type of heater and the foot print the heater will have in the room along with placement.
Oil filled radiant heaters are very safe but all the heat travels up and slowly warms the room. If you get a unit with a digital thermostat you can set it for an exact temp (this is what I use in the baby's room to maintain the temp for her).
Quarts or ceramic tower heaters have a much smaller foot print then a oil filled heater and have built in fans to direct the heat at you and warm a room much faster then a radiant type heater. This is great when you are cold and want heat blown at you. These also heat a small room very quickly compared to a radiant heater.
I have several types of space heaters myself. For instant heat on demand to warm a person I use a ceramic tower heater that occilates and has a remote which is handy. To warm a room safely more then a person I use oil filled radiant heat. Spending in the $50 range will net more features and control. First decide what you are trying to warm the room or the person in the room. Then decide on the type, last features.
Best of luck
Oil filled radiant heaters are very safe but all the heat travels up and slowly warms the room. If you get a unit with a digital thermostat you can set it for an exact temp (this is what I use in the baby's room to maintain the temp for her).
Quarts or ceramic tower heaters have a much smaller foot print then a oil filled heater and have built in fans to direct the heat at you and warm a room much faster then a radiant type heater. This is great when you are cold and want heat blown at you. These also heat a small room very quickly compared to a radiant heater.
I have several types of space heaters myself. For instant heat on demand to warm a person I use a ceramic tower heater that occilates and has a remote which is handy. To warm a room safely more then a person I use oil filled radiant heat. Spending in the $50 range will net more features and control. First decide what you are trying to warm the room or the person in the room. Then decide on the type, last features.
Best of luck
I checked. Consumer Reports hasn't tested space heaters; at least not recently.
Originally Posted By: dwendt44
I checked. Consumer Reports hasn't tested space heaters; at least not recently.
You are not reading the site right or you have not paid for the online membership. Space heaters originally done in Oct 07 but the ratings have been updated as of Nov 08.
CR space heaters
I checked. Consumer Reports hasn't tested space heaters; at least not recently.
You are not reading the site right or you have not paid for the online membership. Space heaters originally done in Oct 07 but the ratings have been updated as of Nov 08.
CR space heaters
This unit is a CR quick pick, only downer it is a bit noisy. For the price it is a very good buy.
CR QUICK PICK
I have this lasko ceramic tower Lasko Good heater but poor temperature control, otherwise its a great heater.
CR QUICK PICK
I have this lasko ceramic tower Lasko Good heater but poor temperature control, otherwise its a great heater.
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I spent some time coming up with a good informative post and my ******* blankety blank IP pooped on me.
There was only 1 oil filled on CR's list that they had even tested. I would suggest this honeywell which is $59 at target honeywell It has digital controls which I prefer over the simple dial models. It allows for much better temperature control. I have a dial type oil filled in my office at work and I always have to fiddle with it where as my digitally controlled heater at home allows me to select a temperature say 70F or 73F whatever I like and it will maintain it on its own.
There was only 1 oil filled on CR's list that they had even tested. I would suggest this honeywell which is $59 at target honeywell It has digital controls which I prefer over the simple dial models. It allows for much better temperature control. I have a dial type oil filled in my office at work and I always have to fiddle with it where as my digitally controlled heater at home allows me to select a temperature say 70F or 73F whatever I like and it will maintain it on its own.
It hasn't been reviewed by CR, there are just to many space heaters on the market each year to review them all. I've seen at least 3 infomercials for space heaters this year that look like fireplaces.
I should have asked is the room you are heating an open space or does it have a door? If its open oil filled heaters will not keep up with the demand. If it has a door that can be shut the room will be noticeably warmer. My office is small but with the door open I can barely tell my 1500 watt heater is on and it takes for ever to heat up. With the door shut it gets very toastie and I will have to open the door.
I have been mulling over buying the honeywell myself since my heat pump is dying and it may not make it to spring. I may stop and buy one on the way home just in case. My heat pump is really starting to sound awful
I should have asked is the room you are heating an open space or does it have a door? If its open oil filled heaters will not keep up with the demand. If it has a door that can be shut the room will be noticeably warmer. My office is small but with the door open I can barely tell my 1500 watt heater is on and it takes for ever to heat up. With the door shut it gets very toastie and I will have to open the door.
I have been mulling over buying the honeywell myself since my heat pump is dying and it may not make it to spring. I may stop and buy one on the way home just in case. My heat pump is really starting to sound awful
Well I talked myself into buying another honeywell
The wife was stopping at Target for diapers and teething drops so I told her to buy it. I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it, especially with the holiday's so close. If my heat pump gives up the ghost right before christmas it could be a week before I can get it replaced.
TnN, so you bought the Honeywell oil radiator witht he digital control for $59 at Target? My room is a 20x20 living room. What's odd is if you read the reviews on Amazon for these things, one guy will say it warmed up his 26x26 BR like toast while the next guy says it wouldn't warm his 10x15 BR. Very strange. I think I'm going to go with an oil radiator type heater, either Honeywell, DeLonghi, or Pelonis. The indoor humidity gets wicked dry around here in the winter, and I don't want to make it any worse.
Yep Target $59 I took it out of the box and put it together already. Its a much nicer version of the heater I already have.
If its a living room does it have doors? If it doesn't oil filled heaters will loose heat to the rest of the house. All the heat rises and warms its way down unlike a forced air unit. In a closed door room the heat will be noticeable given time. If the door is left open you will loose allot of your heat. I deal with this daily at work since my door is normally open.
If its a living room does it have doors? If it doesn't oil filled heaters will loose heat to the rest of the house. All the heat rises and warms its way down unlike a forced air unit. In a closed door room the heat will be noticeable given time. If the door is left open you will loose allot of your heat. I deal with this daily at work since my door is normally open.
I took a minute to take some measurements seeing as you are trying to heat 400sqft which is allot for an oil filled heater. The baby's room is only 215sqft counting the closet. My living room is similar in size but looses heat to the rest of the house from the open design. I have used the heater in the living room but it had a lesser effect. If you have high or vaulted ceilings and an open room design a oil filled convection heater will not impress. If you have a ceiling fan that can help push the heat throughout the room, if not the heat just sits on the ceiling.
If you can borrow a oil filled heater from work or a friend/family member I would try one before you buy. Just make sure its oil filled and 1500 watts. For the size of the room assuming its occupied I would look to a forced heater instead of oil filled. The lasko I have has a quite fan but puts out good heat, only downer is the poor temperature control. It cost $59 as well 1 year ago.
If you can borrow a oil filled heater from work or a friend/family member I would try one before you buy. Just make sure its oil filled and 1500 watts. For the size of the room assuming its occupied I would look to a forced heater instead of oil filled. The lasko I have has a quite fan but puts out good heat, only downer is the poor temperature control. It cost $59 as well 1 year ago.
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