There are 3 types of portable heaters to warm up the room or the space you are in:
- Fan Heaters: these are electric heaters that have a fan incorporated, which pushes out warm air once plugged in and turned on. They are quite convenient when you need heat right now, but many of them don’t have a heating element that keeps them warm after they are turned off. Here are some of the fan heaters we sell.
- Oil-filled Radiators: as the name suggests, these are panel heaters that are filled with oil and offer radiant heating once turned on. The oil inside makes them warm and keeps them a while longer when they are turned off. Take look at the oil-filled heaters available at Sparks.
- Halogen Heaters/Infrared heaters: These kinds of heaters offer heat or warmth by radiating infrared light. These heaters use halogen elements enclosed in lamps or bulbs, which directly heat the object when the light reaches it. They don’t technically heat the air in the room but rather the object which needs to be heated up. At Sparks, we mainly sell infrared heaters for warehouses or large rooms.
Fan heaters work by blowing air over a heating element, creating a quick burst of warmth. They’re great for smaller spaces or when you need to heat up a room fast. However, because they use exposed heating elements, they can be a fire hazard if placed too close to flammable materials like curtains or furniture.
Safety Features to Look For:
- Overheat protection: This feature automatically shuts the heater off if it gets too hot, preventing potential fire risks.
- Tip-over switch: Fan heaters can be lightweight, so make sure it has a switch that turns it off if it’s knocked over.
Oil-filled radiators take longer to heat up but offer consistent, efficient heat over time. They’re perfect for keeping large rooms warm and tend to be one of the safest portable heaters because the oil inside retains heat even after the unit is switched off, reducing the risk of burns.
Safety Features to Look For:
- Overheat protection: Like with fan heaters, this is key to preventing the radiator from becoming a fire hazard.
- Thermostat: A built-in thermostat helps regulate the heat, so you don’t end up using more energy than necessary.
