How to Shop for Space Heaters and Portable Heaters

What is a Space Heater?

A space heater is a self-contained appliance, usually powered by either electricity or gas, that's designed to keep a space (whether indoors or outdoors) warm and toasty. Sam's Club offers a variety of heating and cooling solutions.

How do space heaters work?

There are two types of space heaters: gas heaters and electric heaters. Gas heaters keep rooms toasty through the combustion of flammable fuel, such as kerosene, natural gas, wood or propane. Electric heaters are powered through an outlet, using convection (heating air with a metal or ceramic heating element) or radiant heat (passing electricity through a conductive wire to produce warming infrared rays).

Why use a space heater?

Space heaters are typically used indoors when an existing heating system is inadequate, or when it's too costly or difficult to install a central heating system. Some varieties can also be used outdoors in cold weather.

While some space heaters, such as wall heaters and baseboard heaters, are designed for more permanent installation, others are portable heaters that can be taken from room to room as needed. These portable heaters can result in energy savings if they're only used when a room is occupied.

What Heater Type Should I Buy?

Space Heaters

Space heaters, like those made by Lasko or Vornado, are typically the most affordable. They are designed to be used indoors, and many are portable electric heaters light enough to be moved from room to room. Most are electric space heaters designed to plug into an outlet. They can be compact or tall tower heaters.

Fireplaces

Electric fireplaces add the charm of a traditional fireplace with the easy operation of an electric room heater. Many people love the aesthetic appeal of these units, and we have plenty to choose from to match your decor.

Patio Heaters

Patio heaters are designed to be used outdoors and can be freestanding or mounted. Mounted patio heaters are easily installed on support beams or rafters of a patio. Freestanding heaters can be moved around outside as needed and then stored when you're through.

Industrial Heaters

Industrial heaters are powerful, high-BTU units designed to be used in workspaces like construction sites or large warehouses, or at large events taking place outside in cold weather.

Portable Heaters

A number of space heaters are portable, from small indoor ceramic heaters that run on electricity to large industrial heaters that run on kerosene.

Understanding Electric Heater Types

Radiant

Radiant heaters pass electricity through a conductive wire, emitting infrared heat that is absorbed directly into skin and clothing, without heating the surrounding air. Infrared heaters are great outdoors because the heat they provide isn't affected by wind or cold drafts.

Convection

Convection heaters use electricity to pass air through a heating element, made of metal or ceramic, to warm it. They can be equipped with a fan to spread the warm air around or surrounded by oil or water to produce a more even, consistent heat. This can continue even after they are put in shutoff mode.

Fan-forced

Fan-forced heaters use an electric fan to force air through a heating element and spread the warmed air through the surrounding room.

Gas Heaters

Propane

Some heaters are powered by propane gas tanks, similar to those used for gas grills. Propane heaters should not be used indoors without adequate ventilation, as they can pose a carbon monoxide hazard.

Natural Gas

Natural gas can also be used as a power source for a heater. Typically, these are wall-mounted heaters designed to be installed with proper ventilation by a licensed contractor.

What Size Space Heater Do I Need?

How do I determine heater capacity?

For indoor space heaters, a good rule of thumb is that you'll need 10 watts of heating power for every square foot in a room. For example, if a room is 400 square feet, you'll need 4,000 watts. If your room has ceilings higher than eight feet, multiply by 1.25 to get the ideal wattage (400 square feet x 10 watts x 1.25 = 5,000 watts).

For gas heaters, you'll need 20 BTUs of heating power for every square foot in a room. For example, if a room is 400 square feet, you'll need 8,000 watts.

How are heaters measured?

For electric space heaters, capacity is measured in wattage. For gas heaters, it's measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units.

Which heaters are best for which spaces?

Space heaters and fireplaces are best for whole rooms indoors. Patio heaters, both gas and infrared, are designed to be used in smaller outdoor spaces. Industrial heaters are intended for very large, well-ventilated spaces, usually but not always outdoors.

How much square feet can a space heater warm?

The number of square feet a space heater can warm depends on the strength of its wattage or BTUs. The most powerful outdoor kerosene heaters can warm spaces as large as 8,500 square feet or more.

What Heater Features Should I Consider?

Noise

Because they use a fan to spread air around, fan-forced heaters are louder than radiant heaters or convection heaters that are filled with oil or water.

Safety features

Many space heaters have a tip-over switch, a safety feature which automatically shuts off the heater if it's knocked over. Another popular feature is overheat protection, which uses a temperature sensor to automatically shut off the heater if its internal components grow too hot.

Energy efficiency

Space heaters, unlike many other appliances, do not have Energy Star ratings signifying their energy efficiency. That's because a space heater's energy use varies greatly depending on the size of the room, whether there's supplemental heating, and other factors.

Auto shutoff

In addition to safety features that automatically shut them off when they tip-over or when they've been running too long, some space heaters can be programmed to shut off automatically after a given period of time, or when they've reached a certain temperature.

Remote

Many space heaters come with a remote control that allow them to be operated from the comfort of your couch or bed.

Power cord length

Some electric heaters have extra-long cords, to ensure perfect placement for maximum warmth.

Thermostat

Many space heaters have an internal thermostat, allowing you to set a desired temperature and have the heater maintain it automatically after it's reached.

Wheels

Some space heaters are equipped with wheels, allowing them to be moved more easily from room to room.

Brands of Heaters at Sam's Club

• Corliving
• Cozy Products
• Crown Verity
• DeLonghi
• Dyna-Glo
• EnerG+
• Fire Sense
• Infragen
• NewAir
• Pleasant Hearth
• SEI
• Southern Enterprises
• US Stove
• Vogelzang
• Vulcan
• Westinghouse

FAQ - Heaters

Do space heaters use a lot of electricity?

The amount of electricity a space heater uses depends on the size of the room, the size and BTU output of the heater, and the desired temperature you wish to reach. In general, smaller heaters used in small, contained spaces with supplemental heat will use the least electricity.

How long can space heaters be left on?

Indoor space heaters can be left on for long periods of time, including overnight, as long as they are attended to ensure they don't tip over and that nothing flammable accidentally comes in contact with the heating element. Tower heaters should be kept on a solid, level surface, away from children and pets.

Do space heaters use a lot of energy?

The amount of energy consumed by a space heater is variable, based on the size of the room, the strength of the heater and the desired temperature. Some space heaters are designed to be more energy efficient.

Do space heaters produce carbon monoxide?

Electric heaters produce no carbon monoxide, ensuring safe air quality. But many gas heaters, especially kerosene heaters, do produce it. For safe air quality, these heaters should only be used in well-ventilated areas equipped with carbon monoxide alarms.

Does a space heater save money?

A space heater can save money if used strategically to supplement existing central heating. By keeping your overall thermostat low and only running a space heater while you are in the room, you can stay toasty while reaping major energy savings.

Does Sam's Club deliver space heaters?

Yes, many of our heaters can be shipped or delivered to your home.