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Choosing a Space Heater For Your Office

Updated on July 23, 2020 by Joseph D. Nielson

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If you’ve ever worked in an office, you probably know that controlling the temperature so that everyone is happy is not an easy thing to do.

Some of us complain during the summer that the AC is freezing, while others are opening windows in the middle of January because they are too hot. It is a case of not being able to satisfy everyone all of the time.

As temperatures outside drop and heating systems are turned up, the battlefield is set for another season of temperature wars.

Strained employee relationships

office space heaters

In addition to straining employee relationships, temperature wars can affect productivity.

Many studies suggest that employees uncomfortable with the office temperature may find it harder to perform everyday duties.

Temperature issues could also cause employees to call in sick more often to avoid an unpleasant work environment.

Even when the thermostat is set to a neutral temperature, there’s no guarantee everyone will feel comfortable.

Space heaters can be wonderfully convenient for this reason.

When choosing a space heater for your office, there are a few things you’ll want to consider that will help guarantee that it’s a successful investment for your office.

For instance, consider buying a space heater that fits the needs of your unique office space.

In an office, there are a few different aspects to think about:

● The walls

● Whether there are separate cubicles or ample open office space

● What size the main area is

● How the space heater will be used

With these things in mind, here are the different main types of space heaters and some pros and cons of each type:

Ceramic Convection Heater

A ceramic convection space heater uses a fan.

It heats the room by circulating the air through the unit and across a heating element, such as coils.

Pros

This space heater has a forced-air feature, which will warm-up the office space faster. Because it heats the whole room, it will be able to warm you up and your coworkers reasonably quickly. These heaters also have a thermostat to regulate the amount of heat that is released.

Cons

These heaters are not as great at heating a large room or a space with high ceilings. They can overheat more quickly than other heaters, and heated air tends to remain near the ceiling because it is less dense.

Radiant & Infrared heater

A radiant and infrared space heater can warm you up by sending out infrared radiation through electromagnetic waves or particles in the air.

Pros

Suitable for heating a small area. Good for warming you up while sitting at your desk in the office. These heaters emit heat at whatever level it is placed and does not dry out the air.

Cons

Not as good for heating a large room. These heaters take longer to heat the space and do not use forced air to heat.

Micathermic heater

These heaters do not have fans. Instead, they’re a combination of both convection and radiant heater. They use a stonelike material called mica that surrounds the heating element. This makes it more effective as it does not need to use any coils.

Pros

These heaters can heat a large area of space (roughly up to 600 square feet). They are quiet and energy-efficient and heat rooms quicker. They use a shorter heating process by using the mica material to heat the air. This gives it a more effective distribution of the heat.

Cons

These heaters don’t use a fan to push the air out into a room, which can be a negative as this can lead to an uneven distribution of heated air.

Oil-filled radiator heater

These heaters use electricity to heat the oil and are.

Pros

These heaters are energy efficient. Their portable design provides you with the flexibility required to concentrate extra heat exactly where it’s needed. Their unique thermal properties make them a more reliable and efficient choice than ordinary water, gas, or infrared heaters. They also retain heat long after power is shut off, which is quite neat and supper efficient as they don’t have to stay plugged in and running to keep a space warm.

Cons

Because these heaters don’t have fans, you might have an uneven distribution of heated air. They do not use forced air to heat the space, which makes these heaters slower to heat the space than a convection heater.

Energy-efficiency space heaters

Many new models on the market have features that reduce electricity usage. When making your purchase, be sure to check that the space heater you are buying has these energy-efficient features:

Programmable thermostat

A heater with a programmable thermostat can be programmed to turn off after the desired temperature is reached.

Programmable timer

A heater with a programmable timer can be programmed to turn on or off at certain times of the day.

Check the wattage

A lot of space heaters claim to be the most efficient, but most all use the same amount of energy. But there are some environmentally friendly ones on the market for sure that use as little as 400-500 watts compared to regular convection heaters.

Built-in safety features

Built-in safety features are great to have for an office space heater. Here are some features to look out for:

● That it automatically turns off in the event that it’s ever knocked over.

● That it is cool to the touch, even when blowing out heat. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heaters lead to more than 6,000 emergency room visits for burn injuries.

● That it automatically shuts off if the room ever gets too warm.

● Consider how many watts your office outlets can handle. You’ll want to avoid a blown a fuse or other electrical issues that can happen.

Safety Tips

While space heaters are convenient in many ways, they can also be risky and pose safety concerns for your office.

Here are some key safety tips to consider when using office space heaters:

● Any flammable items should be kept at least three feet from space heaters.

● Don’t forget to turn off space heaters when you leave the room.

● You’ll want to buy a space heater with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) safety mark, which means that the product was tested for safety hazards.

● Find space heaters with automatic shut-off features and heating element guards.

● Space heaters are not meant for the office kitchen. You must keep them away from any water.

● Position or place space heaters on hard, level surfaces away from walking areas and foot traffic.

● It’s best to avoid plugging a heater in an extension cord. If you have to, make sure that the cord is the right gauge size and type for the heater.

● Space heaters are meant for short use and should not be used for extended periods, such as overnight when everyone has left the office.

Space heaters brands that will keep you toasty from nine to five

The Holmes brand offers portable desktop heaters with two heat settings and a cooling, fan-only option. These heaters are cool to touch and turn off if they are ever tipped over. They also have manual reset for supreme safety around all your papers and electronics.

Lasko’s offers ceramic tower heaters with a programmable digital temperature setting. It has a built-in auto-shutoff feature for safety. Built-in is also a timer to keep it from running too long. Best of all, it comes with a multi-function remote, so you can change the settings without needing ever to get up.

The Handy Heater brand offers a plug-in heater that plugs into the wall and heats up to 250 square feet. It also includes a programmable 12-hour timer that keeps it from running too long.

The Vornado offers efficient space heaters that circulate the air consistently, distributing the heat evenly throughout an entire room. Its thermostatic temperature control lets you get your ideal room temperature. It also has automatic-shutoff to keep it from running for hours, and if it’s ever tipped over, it shuts down instantly to keep you safe.

The Dr. Infrared brand offers space heaters that use the latest infrared technology. They heat up to 1,000 square feet super quick. Despite the major heating power, it doesn’t use any more energy than a traditional unit.

As another added bonus: infrared heat leaves more humidity in the air, so it helps fight dry skin in the wintertime. It’s also certified by Underwriters Laboratories and has tip-over and automatic shut-off.

Take Away

Keeping your office at a comfortable temperature can be challenging. Everyone’s temperature preference varies, and so keeping everyone happy, especially during the winter months is not an easy thing to do. Space heaters can be an excellent option for complementary heat, but be sure to review all your options before you make a purchase.

If you do decide to use a space heater for your office, be sure to use it carefully and follow all safety precautions!

Joseph and Family
About Joseph D. Nielson

Former journalist and editor for various press groups, I now dedicate my time to reviewing products for the home and family life. When I get time to myself, I enjoy rock climbing, taking my dirt bike for a rip, and most importantly providing my family with the best home possible!