As many of you are probably well aware already, depending on where in the world you happen to live of course, the colder fall/winter weather is now fast approaching, which means that the nights are drawing in, days are growing shorter, the air is turning colder, and we will all soon find ourselves spending much more time indoors struggling to keep warm.
With the ever-increasing costs of gas and oil now through the roof, with greedy companies conveniently deciding to hike their prices just before the winter, it’s no wonder why so many of us spend absolute fortunes on trying to keep warm and heat our homes during the winter. Some people opt for real fires and stoves, whilst others simply wear multiple layers of clothing.
More people however, are purchasing the most energy efficient space heater for their home, and are reaping the rewards.
Space heaters are currently more popular than ever before, as people are finally realizing that, thanks to their clever energy efficient designs, that they can actually save money and are much cheaper than running central heating systems, or gas fires etc. If you’re wondering what your space heater options may be, or would simply like to learn more about them, here we’ll be looking at space heaters in great depth, so that you can hopefully find the most energy efficient space heater for home, thereby saving money, and keeping warm in the process.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Most Efficient Space Heater Comparison
| Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 | Lasko 6435 Designer Series | Dyson AM05 Hot + Cool | DeLonghi KH390715CM |
Lifelux Series Ultimate 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1500 Watts | 1500 Watts | 1500 Watts | 1500 Watts | 1500 watts |
| High and Low Temperature Settings | High and Low Temperature Settings | Variable Temperature Settings | Three Temperature Settings | Three Temperature Settings |
| 1,000 square feet coverage | 300 square feet coverage | 300 square feet coverage | 1500 square feet coverage | 1,400 square feet |
| Dual Heating System | Self-Regulating Ceramic Element | Air Multiplier™ technology | Comfort Temp setting; Smart-snap |
Stylish Wood Cabinet; Air Ionizer |
| 19 pounds | 8.1 pounds | 5.2 pounds | 22.1 pounds | 31 pounds |
| 3 Years Warranty | 3 Years Warranty | 2 Years Warranty | 1 Year Warranty | 3 Years Warranty |
| Price: $$ | Price: $ | Price: $$$$ | Price: $$ | Price: $$$ |
What is a space heater?
First and foremost, before we go any further, we’ll begin by looking at exactly what space heaters are. Put simply, space heaters are heaters, commonly running from mains electricity, which have been specially designed to heat up certain specific areas, as opposed to entire homes, as you would expect with central heating systems.
So for example, having a space heater in a room would be primarily for heating that specific room, making them perfect for enclosed spaces. There are many different types of space heaters currently available, which is what we’ll be looking at next, to help give an idea of some of the different and more popular models.
Different types of space heater
As mentioned, not all space heaters are the same, which is why finding the most energy efficient space heater isn’t quite as easy and as straightforward as you may have thought. Nevertheless, here’s a look at some of the different types to choose from:
Convection heaters – Convection heaters are specially designed to help them warm the air within the room they’re used in, as opposed to the people. They generate warm air which rises, as hot air does, which quickly helps to increase the temperature of the air in that room. The cool air plummets to the floor, which in turn allows the air within the room to circulate. These ones are often oil-filled.
Radiant heaters – Up next we have radiant heaters, also known as radiative heaters. These heaters are specially designed to heat up specific objects, and people, in a room, as opposed to the air. Generally they are placed directly in front of a person where they will generate heat which will then warm the person in front. They heat up almost instantaneously, so if speed is your goal, a radiant heater is ideal.
Combi heaters – Combi heaters are basically a combination of convection space heaters, and radiant space heaters as they help to distribute warm air around the room using a fan, whilst generating direct heat at the same time.
Reviews of the Top 5 Efficient Space Heaters
Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 – Small Yet Efficient
Pros
Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 can deliver more heat up to 60% while maintaining its efficiency. The advanced dual heating system generates heat and increases its flow to warm space immediately. You can barely hear the noise of this heater because its blower is engineered to produce less amount of sound perceptible to human ear.
Cons
Though this heater’s heat flow is considerably great, it takes time to warm spaces larger than 500 square feet.
The Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 delivers ample amount of heat just enough to warm rooms up to 1000 square feet. You may consider this unit as your first in hand heater for its efficiency while maintaining its great heating production.
Dr. Infrared Heater is one of the neatest designs that you will see and was only recently released to the US. It is an efficient way for you to heat up your home and stay warm during the winter months. So, what makes Dr. Infrared Heater so unique? The Dual Heating System which combines PTC and Quartz element so that you have two different sources and it combines that with a high velocity blower that makes very little noise. This is one of the safest heaters around as well, and is certified by the UL in the US and Canada for maintaining high safety standards.
Performance & Features
This little heater has a lot of great features. The first is the design of the heater itself. It looks quirky, kind of like a little robot, but it is a fun design that you should be able to put in any room without making it look clunky.
Second, the price is just right for a heater of this quality. There are space heaters that are priced twice or three times as much and provide exactly the same heat. This is a great price and a quality heater as well.
In fact, since the Dr. Infrared Heater delivers sixty percent more heat than even the ‘High’ 1500 watt setting on most heaters,t it doesn’t use any more electricity than those other heaters. This is accomplished by transferring heat more efficiently.
It also has an amazing blower (not a fan) that moves more air at lower speeds than the competition. That means that you’ll get less noise.
There are three power settings so you can get the perfect temperature. There is an auto setting, a low (1000 watt) setting and a high (1500 watt) setting. You can also set the timer if you want.
Comparison
The Dr. Infrared heater pretty much blows all of the other heaters on this list out of the water. There isn’t a comparison. This heater does exactly the same things that the other ones do and has an amazing price tag attached to it. The only reason to go with a more expensive heater is because you want more control over the exact temperature. With the Dr. Infrared, you have more limited options. However, it has great safety features and it does save money when it comes to energy consumption so the price makes up for the lack of control.
Safety Features
The Dr. Infrared heater is listed by Underwriter’s Laboratories in the US and in Canada. They ensure safety standards on appliances like space heaters. They have listed this one because it has no exposed heating elements or moving parts for kids and pets to get hurt on and it shuts down when it is tipped over or if it overheats.
Energy Consumption
Between 1000 and 1500 watts when it is running. However, because the heater delivers sixty percent more heat without consuming additional energy, and because of the way it transfers heat, it is more energy efficient than the average 1500 watt model.
Why choose Dr. Infrared Heater DR968?
This is a great space heater to buy and probably one of the best on the market. The price is great, it has the right safety features and it puts out more heat than others heats which means it saves you money. There really is no reason not to go with this heater.
Lasko 6435 Designer Series – The Best Bang for the Buck
Pros
The Lasko 6435 Designer Series is creatively designed to fit with any decor on your home. It is not just design-attractive. Its oscillating feature does a very good job in heating home in wide coverage while the remote control is very helpful for ease of access.
Cons
This heater works best in an area of 100 square feet though may take a lot of time to deliver on a 300 square feet area. Also, the thermostat can only function on high setting.
Although this space heater seems designed more for looks than function, it definitely works well. It can heat up a small space in a few minutes and although it doesn’t work in rooms much larger than 300 square feet, it is still a solid purchase.
From Lasko, the 6435 Designer Series oscillating space heater is one of the most attractive space heaters on the market. It is set into a wire metal basket that will match décor beautifully and it can go in any room of the house. It comes with a remote control that you can use to go through the many functions of the device and is able to heat up an entire room quickly.
Performance and Features
There is actually a lot to love about this unit. This is a space heater that looks great and functions amazingly as well. It is set into a carved iron stand that is actually very sturdy and keeps the unit from tipping, and the unit itself has an attractive, aesthetically pleasing surface.
There is no set up with this space heater. As soon as you take it out of the box it is ready to go. It is also one of the quietest units on the market and so, you can easily heat a room without affecting the look and feel of the room.
- Fully oscillating to cover the entire room
- Ceramic element that maintains and regulates itself
- Overheating protection
- Up to 1500 watts with the low setting at 900 watts
- Adjustable thermostat (60 to 90 degrees) that regulates temperature of the room
- Timer (1 hour to 7 hours)
- High-Low switch
- Full remote control
Comparison
The Lasko is a decent heater when compared to the others in this group. It definitely outperforms the Dyson without any question, but what about going up against the “budget” heaters who which seem to do the same thing as this. The Lasko does have a few more features like the timer and the adjustable thermostat, but if you don’t need very specific temperature settings, you should probably go with the Dr. Infrared heater or the DeLonghi.
Safety Features
This unit has a protective internal switch that will stop it from overheating and it has a solid base that will prevent any tipping over.
Energy Consumption
There are two settings that control the energy consumption that the Lasko oscillating heater uses. The low switch uses 900 watts and the high switch uses 1500 watts.
Why choose Lasko 6435 Designer Series?
The Lasko 6435 Designer Series is a great space heater that will definitely get the job done if you have a small room that needs to be heated. It heats up fast, it heats up the entire room and it looks great no matter where you put it. But there are a couple of design flaws that customers have noticed. For one, you can’t use the thermostat unless you run the space heater on high. This might be the only way that a thermostat could be included, but it is still annoying to those who have overloaded breakers. Also, it doesn’t heat up huge rooms, but all in all this is a great space heater that you’ll get a lot of use out of.
Dyson AM05 Hot + Cool – High Performance Bladeless Heater
Pros
The Dyson AM05 works like a furnace that heats or cools entire room in no time. With Dyson’s popular bladless technology, this heater makes efficient and powerful. Likewise, this heater requires very less maintenance compared to other heaters.
Cons
This unit’s price is pretty high and may not favorable for those with a tight budget. There are heaters like Lasko 6435 Designer Series and Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 which are twice or thrice cheaper and can heat up rooms almost the same as this unit. On the other hand, the cooling feature does not perform quite well compared to heating.
So, should you go ahead and get this space heater? Well it does come from a solid brand and many people have had a great deal of success with it but the price is pretty high, especially when there are other space heaters that do basically the same thing but are priced at half what the Dyson sells for. However, it does have great safety features, looks great and heats up a whole room right away.
The Dyson AM05 Hot/Cool fan heater is one of the best whole room space heaters on the market. It is able to keep you cooler in the summer months and provide heating for an entire room in the winter. The Dyson uses Air Multiplier technology to expand the heated air in all directions and it has a great deal of airflow. There are no blades, no elements and no safety issues because if this heater tips over it shuts off immediately, so you’ll never have to worry about a fire with this built-in fail-safe. Finally, it is an extremely energy efficient product, partly because of the way that it moves air.
Performance & Features
The Dyson AM05 Hot/Cool fan heater uses Air Multiplier technology with a well-designed motor to move heat much more efficiently, which means that it can heat up an entire room super fast and keep it warm even without the thermostat. It is also a cooling fan, and it can keep you from baking in the summertime by drawing in six gallons of air every second and generating high air velocity to cool the entire room. You get control over what temperature you want the room to be and over where you want the air (heated or cooled) to be directed.
Dyson AM05 has a two year warranty on the parts and labor so you’re protected if the unit fails for some reason.
Comparison
Compared to the Dr. Infrared and the DeLonghi, this isn’t a great choice. It is pretty much the same heater as those two, and doesn’t have any distinguishing features that would make it worth spending the extra money on. It does heat up the entire room, but there is no reason to spend that much money on a space heater that does the same job as one that costs less than a hundred bucks. Unless you are attached to the Dyson brand, you should probably choose another product wisely.
Safety Features
Besides having no moving blades to cause injury, the Dyson AM05 also has a fail-safe that shuts off the unit completely if it gets tipped over. Those safety features added to the fact that there are no visible heating elements make this one of the safest space heaters available.
Energy Consumption
Because of how fast this unit heats up a room and because it is made to be energy efficient, this will use a great deal less electricity than most space heaters.
Why choose Dyson AM05 Hot + Cool?
Dyson AM05 is a solid product. Although it costs quite a bit more than many other space heaters on the market today it is worth the extra money because of the safety features that come with it, and the fact that it can heat up a whole room and then be shut off rather than run the space heater all day long.
De’Longhi Comfort Temp KH390715CM – The Best in Oil-Filled Heating
Pros
De’Longhi Comfort Temp KH390715CM boast its function to help decrease energy consumption while maintaining the heat temperature of your room. The oil-filled radiator is an energy saver that amplifies heat effectively in your room. It can automatically detects low temperature and starts whenever necessary.
Cons
This heater takes a while to heat up a room larger than 1500 sq. ft. You can feel the heat when the oil starts to heat up.
The De’Longhi Comfort Temp KH390715CM is a great heater that you will be able to use all winter long and actually save money on your electricity bill. With the price at well under a hundred dollars, this is a no-brainer.
If you want something that heats a room silently, safely and quickly, then the De’Longhi Comfort Temp KH390715CM might just be what you are looking for. It is a 1500 watt heater that works radiantly to heat up room quickly.
You can use the Comfort Temp settings to keep a room between 68 and 70 degrees or you can adjust the thermostat yourself. It has an easy control panel and features heat slots so that the surface doesn’t get too hot, and a cutoff function to prevent the unit from overheating.
It has wheels that snap down so that you can easily transport it and they are wide enough to prevent the unit from getting tipped very easily.
Performance & Features
There are some great features on this space heater. First, there are three settings and then the Comfort Temp setting. There is a high, low and auto, and the Comfort Temp keeps your room temperature between 68 and 70 degrees F which means that you could save up to 30% on your heating bill.
Because the DeLonghi has a thermal shutoff feature it is a very safe heater. It puts out great heat but it doesn’t actually heat up on the surface. The elements are out of the range of contact by children and pets and it shuts off when it is tipped over or if it overheats.
Features a control panel that is easy to understand and use. There is also an “antifreeze” failsafe that will turn the heater on automatically if the temperature reaches 44 degrees (Fahrenheit) or below. So, you’ll have a warm and cozy night, every single night.
This heater is filled with diathermic oil and permanently sealed so you never have to refill it and it runs silently so it won’t keep you awake, make it hard to hear the television or disrupt your concentration when you are working or studying.
- Great for offices, bedrooms, bathrooms and more
- Using the Comfort Temp setting saves you up to 30% on your heating bills
- Thermostat has three different heat settings
- Antifreeze setting turns the heater on if the temperature gets too low.
- Thermal slots keep the surface from getting too hot
Comparison
The DeLonghi is definitely one of the best heaters in this group. For about a hundred bucks, it provides the same basic features that all of the other heaters provide, and the antifreeze setting is a very useful one for those who hate waking up in the middle of the night freezing or who don’t want to run their space heaters all night for whatever reason. Between this and the Dr. Infrared, it’s a toss-up. Between this and the rest, this can be your top choice.
Safety Features
This unit has some great safety features. Besides the standard shutoff when it tips over or overheats, it also has heat slots so that the surface doesn’t get too hot to touch.
Energy Consumption
This is a 1500 watt heater on high and 1000 watts on low.
Why choose De’Longhi Comfort Temp KH390715CM?
This is a great heater that is priced reasonably. It has great safety features and it heats up quickly and can be used all winter long to lower you electricity bill. Is this the best oil-filled heater? With its features, build and heating, this can be your top choice for oil-filled heater.
Lifelux Series Ultimate 8 Element LS-8WIQH-LB-IN – A Small Heater for Large Rooms
Pros
The Lifelux Series Ultimate 8 Element is designed to warm rooms up to 1,400 sq. ft. It can pull off high wattage to deliver ample amount of heat. The build is solid making it a good additional decor to your house. The outer surface is made of wood and does not heat even at a higher setting which make it safe.
Cons
This unit blows hot air loudly and noticeably. The digital display is not cozy making this heater not a good choice if you sleep with lights off.
If you are looking for stylish, furniture-like built, with great heating production, then you might consider Lifelux Series Ultimate 8 Element LS-8WIQH-LB-IN. This has the same heating technology as Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 but priced higher though delivers heat up to 1,400 square feet.
The Series Ultimate 8 from LifeLux is one of the top infrared heaters on the market today, and most of the reason for that is the revolutionary design that just isn’t seen in other space heaters. There are eight quartz infrared elements that are enclosed in a heat exchange coil and this allows you to heat rooms that you want. This is an energy saving heater that has three different settings so you can customize the heat level per the size of the room and has a remote control.
Performance and Features
There are a lot of great features to love about this space heater. The first thing is that the price is just perfect. There are a couple of less expensive models in our group here like the Dr. Infrared, but for the value that this heater offers with the features you won’t find a better price.
The first feature is obviously the eight quartz-infrared elements that are wrapped in coils for heat exchange. This is a different technology than anything else on the market right now and it works to heat up a room super fast and to save you energy by keeping even the largest rooms warm and toasty.
Another great feature of the LifeLux Series 8 is the warranty and associated terms. There is a standard one-year warranty on the parts, but there is also a lifetime on air filter. Also, this heater only uses 1500 watts maximum.
There is a control panel that will allow you to set up to three different energy settings including a setting that is intended for small spaces called an Eco Setting. It will keep a small space at about 68 degrees with only 500 watts of electricity.
Stylish and classy, the oak stain cabinet that the heater is housed in is perfectly safe and cool to the touch and the heater has gliders that make it easy to move from one room to another.
The Ultimate model also includes a larger remote control that will allow you to operate the dual timer setting, the digital thermostat or any other settings that you wish.
- Top-of-the-line infrared heater
- Offers a unique eight quartz element design for maximum performance
- Has a one year warranty and a lifetime guarantee on air filter technology
- Has three energy conservation settings including one setting that keeps a space at 68 degrees using only 500 watts. The heater uses 1500 watts maximum.
- Large remote control
- Timer that will allow you to turn the unit on or off up to 12 hours
Safety Features
Cabinet that the heater is housed in does not heat up to burn your fingers and it is on a sturdy base so it won’t tip over. It is ETL listed which ensures that this product complies North American safety standards.
Energy Consumption
This space heater uses up to 1500 watts maximum. The eco setting which uses only 500 watts is very efficient if you want to heat small rooms.
Why choose Lifelux Series Ultimate 8 Element LS-8WIQH-LB-IN?
If you are looking for efficient, stylish heater, then Lifelux Series Ultimate 8 Element is a great choice. Sure there is difference in price but this heater is good in heating larger rooms with the same wattage used as those that are priced low.
How to choose an energy efficient space heater
Now that we know what space heaters are, and some of the different varieties, it’s now time to look at how to find the most energy efficient space heater for your home. Here are some helpful tips:
Consider the safety aspects – When choosing a space heater, safety should be at the top of your list of priorities, and rightfully so. Radiant heaters for example, can be dangerous for people and animals, as they can cause burns upon contact.
Read reviews – Another great way of finding the best heater for you is to read reviews left by other people. If people give a product good reviews and talk about how much energy it has saved them, you may be in luck.
Consider what you want to heat up – If for example, you want a warm room, a convection heater may be your best bet. If you want to warm yourself, a radiant heater is ideal. And for the best of both worlds, go for a combi.
Why do you need an energy efficient space heater?
There are many ways of keeping warm, so why do you specifically need an energy efficient space heater? Let’s take a look:
- Save energy and therefore save money
- Easy to control
- Can be used to isolate cold spots
- Simple installation
- Quiet
- Convenient
Tips on how to save electricity with space heaters
A radiant space heater is most definitely considered the most efficient heater for home, but even so, there are things you can do that will help you to save even more electricity with them. Some handy tips include:
- Turn the heat to low
- Keep doors and windows closed to prevent hot air from escaping
- Only warm rooms which are in use
- Purchase the most energy efficient space heater you can find
- Switch off the heater when you leave the room
- Try to use less other electrical items to balance out the costs
- Try to wear warmer clothing
Final Thoughts
So there we have it, an in-depth look at energy efficient space heaters, what they are, how they work, why they’re so beneficial, and how to use them most effectively. If you’re looking to keep warm this winter, and want to not only keep your energy costs low, but also help do your part for our great planet, a space heater could prove to be the perfect product.
