This page links to every heater, fireplace and stove guide on the site. NFPA figures are from its 2011 to 2015 data.
Space heaters, fireplaces, stoves and water heaters each solve a different problem. This hub groups our heating guides so you can find the right one.
Table of Contents
Start Here
- Small room or one cold spot? Look at ceramic, oil-filled or infrared heaters, and use the sizing guide and wattage calculator.
- Big room? See space heaters for large rooms and panel heaters.
- Ambience? Electric, gas and wood fireplaces and stoves are listed below.
- Outdoors, garage or tent? Patio, garage and tent heaters have their own guides.
Here is where home heating is heading: heat pumps first, space heaters as the backup. More homes are adding ductless heat pumps, and many new space heaters now ship with tip-over switches, overheat shutoffs and smart plugs. Fireplaces are shifting from wood to gas and electric.
Heating Devices Buying Guides
- Best Baby’s Room Heaters
- Best Bathroom Heaters
- Best Car Heaters
- Best Ceramic Heaters
- Best Electric Fireplaces
- Best Electric Panel Heaters
- Best Electric Wall Heaters
- Best Gas Fireplaces for Home
- Best Gas Fire Pits And Bowls
- Best Garage Heaters
- Best Heaters for Tents
- Best Indoor Freestanding Gas Fireplaces
- Best Indoor Freestanding Wood Fireplaces
- Best Infrared Heaters
- Best Indoor Wood Burning Fireplaces
- Best Kerosene Heaters
- Most Efficient Space Heaters
- Best Oil Filled Heaters
- Best Outdoor Gas Fireplaces
- Best Outdoor Patio Heaters
- Best Outdoor Wood Burning Fireplaces
- Best Pellet Stoves
- Best Radiant Floor Heating Systems
- Best See Through And Multi-side Indoor Fireplaces
- Best Space Heaters for Large Rooms
- Best Water Heaters
- Best Wood Fire Pits And Bowls
- How to Choose the Right Size Space Heater
- Space Heater Wattage Calculator
- How Much Electricity Space Heaters Use
- Space Heater Electric Bill
- How to Clean a Space Heater
- Best Space Heaters for Large Rooms: Safety and Running Cost
The downside is safety and the power bill. The NFPA reported that space heaters caused 43 percent of U.S. home heating fires and 85 percent of heating fire deaths in its 2011 to 2015 data. Fuel-burning heaters can also produce carbon monoxide, and electric heaters can run up a big bill in a cold snap. Expect more space heater fires where cords are damaged or heaters sit too close to furniture. Keep three feet of clear space, and use a carbon monoxide alarm with any fuel-burning appliance.
FAQ
What size space heater do you need?
A common rule is about 10 watts per square foot, adjusted for insulation and ceiling height. Use the wattage calculator.
Are space heaters safe?
They can be, if you keep three feet of clear space, plug straight into the wall and never leave one running unattended.
Do space heaters raise the electric bill?
Yes. A 1,500 watt heater uses 1.5 kilowatt hours every hour it runs at full power.
Do you need a carbon monoxide alarm?
Yes, with any fuel-burning heater, fireplace or stove.
Final Word
Size the heater, keep safe clearance and add a carbon monoxide alarm for any flame.
What comes next: more heat pumps, more rebates and tighter rules on indoor wood burning in some places. Pick the heater for the room and the habit, not just the price.
Related Guides
Keep going with how to choose the right size space heater, space heater wattage calculator, how much electricity space heaters use, how to clean a space heater and most efficient space heaters.
