December 2009

• Introduction
• Radiant Heaters
• Convection Heaters
• Combination Heaters
• Choosing a Heater
• Download the article as a

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Space heaters are small, versatile and generally good at warming a room. However, some manufacturers claim that their electric space heater can significantly cut a home’s heating bill. Do these claims make sense?

Some basic facts about space heaters will help get at the truth of the matter. Space heaters work best as a supplement to a furnace or heat pump—they are rarely used as the primary heating source. Three main types of space heaters are available, which can usually be bought for $30 to $100: radiant heaters, convection heaters and combination heaters.