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May 1, 2014 · 5. What factors should I consider when looking for a portable air conditioner? BTUs/Room Size — A portable air conditioner’s BTUs tell you how powerful the unit is. This directly affects the room size and how quickly the unit will be able to cool. The higher the BTU, the larger the area the portable air conditioner can efficiently cool.
Feb 12, 2024 · Most portable propane heaters are safe for indoor use. Ensuring they have proper ventilation and safety features like a carbon monoxide detector and an automatic shutoff mechanism is crucial. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and regularly check for any signs of malfunction or leaks.
- 7 min
- Cost of Portable Space Heaters
- Types of Space Heaters
- More Considerations
- Using Heaters Safely
- Space Heaters, Unplugged
We wish we could tell you unequivocally that turning down your furnace and using a portable heater will save you money, but the reality is more complicated. Some folks will save money, others won’t, depending on the price of fuel in their area, the climate they live in, the size of their home, its insulation levels, and the age and efficiency of th...
Electric
Despite differences in heat delivery, all-electric heaters operate at a maximum of 1,500 watts that produce about 5,120 Btu (1 Btu is equal to the amount of heat produced by burning a wooden kitchen match). According to Nelson, “You can keep a medium-size room comfortable with 5,100 Btu with the wall thermostatset at 55° F.” Electric space heaters fall into two categories, each of which shines in different circumstances.
Radiant
Radiant heaters ($30 to $100) generate infrared radiation to quickly heat people or objects within the beam. Because they provide focused heat rather than warm the whole room, radiant heaters are a good choice for the garage, workshop, or in front of your favorite reading chair. For wider coverage, look for models with parabolic reflectors or small fans (called “fan-forced”) to distribute the heat. Although radiant heaters make you feel toasty, you lose their benefit quickly if you’re moving...
Convective
These heaters ($15 to $100) work by warming the air. Although they take a little longer to make you feel warm, convective heaters generally do a better job. Unlike radiant units, some of the better convective heaters feature electronic temperature controls that can adjust heat output to maintain an even temperature, instead of simply cycling on and off. Convective heaters can be divided into two subgroups: fan-assisted and fanless. Fan-assisted heaters rely on a ceramic or metal-wire heating...
When shopping for either type, look for a unit that features tip-over protection, which turns off the heater the instant it gets knocked over. Thermal shutoff switches found on most portable heaters will turn off a heater that’s tipped on its face, but there’s a chance the floor covering will be scorched first. For silent, even heating, your best b...
A UL sticker means a heater has met safety guidelines set by Underwriters Laboratories. But despite that assurance, accidents can happen. “Like any electrical appliance, using your heater inappropriately can still put you or your home at risk,” says Jim Novak, a senior product engineer at UL. To avoid the most common heater-related accidents, follo...
Electric space heatersare tough to beat in terms of cost and convenience, but if you’re looking for more than 5,120 Btu or want a way to heat your home if there’s a power outage, two other options to consider are portable kerosene and gas heaters. These choices, however, have to be made carefully since both types of heaters use active combustion, w...
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300 square feet or less = 10,000 BTU. 500 square feet = 10,000 - 14,000 BTU. Over 500 square feet = 14,000+ BTU. Problems with Using the Wrong Size. Portable air conditioners pull the air in from the room, remove the moisture while cooling the air, and send most of the air back into the room.
May 1, 2024 · Portable air conditioners: Portable air conditioners can easily be moved from room to room and require no permanent installation. They’re typically smaller and more affordable than window or central AC units, and can provide sufficient cooling for single rooms or small apartments.
- Brenda Woods
Dec 13, 2022 · Portable and compact models available — Space heaters are portable, which means you can move them from room to room to suit your needs. Some come with handles to make moving them around easier...
Dec 30, 2018 · Small heaters are relatively inexpensive to run, and portable enough to be moved easily from room to room. But making sure your home is properly insulated is a larger step you can take to retain heat and block the entry of cold air from outside as much as possible.
