What are space heaters?

Space heaters, which typically run on electricity or gas, are a localized heating source. Rather than taking a whole-house approach, space heaters are usually a single. Self contained unit that connects to a wall plug or gas tap and emits heat to warm one area of the room. Some examples of space heaters include convection fan heaters. Radiant bar heaters and oil-filled column heaters.

Space heaters (especially electric space heaters) normally start to produce heat very quickly and especially well suited for providing heat in confined areas for short periods of time.

What is central heating?

Central heating offers a multi-room/multi-zone approach to heating. The ‘heater’ part is normally installed in a centralized location (perhaps in a garage or a cupboard), and distributes heat throughout your home via a series of ducts as warm air, steam or water, in the case of hydronic central heating.

Central heating seem a whole-house approach, which requires a fair amount of work and overall cost in terms of installation, and which can normally be controlled so that it only heats certain parts of the house where it’s needed. Automated heating systems most often connected to smart central heating systems.

Costs of space heater vs. central heat

Central heating by design is cheaper per BTU (British thermal unit). Though it’s a much more complex question than that. It’s really about your habits and a combination of both kinds of heating that will be the most cost efficient over time. Keep reading to see what we mean.

When should I use a space heater vs. central heat? 

Use a space heater when you’re using one to rooms of the house at a time, and use central heat for warming the whole house. For longer periods, use an oil filled space heater, and for quicker, stronger heat, use ceramic space heaters.

Which one is right for me?

Space heaters are better suited to smaller, confined areas that are well-sealed, and generally won’t do a very good job of heating large rooms or rooms where heat can easily escape through windows or doors. Oil-filled column heaters  regarded as one of the safer options when it comes to portable space heating – and in most cases one of the cheaper ones to operate. The down side is that they don’t produce as much heat as convection fan heaters and radiant bar heaters. And they take much longer to get warm. Convection fan heaters and radiant bar heaters considered by most to be a fire hazard though. Especially when they’re covered, obstructed or left unattended.