Here's How to Explore Indoor Heating Options for Your Home

Having the right home heating system in place will make a big difference when the cold weather hits. Whether you’re looking to warm up a specific room or heat your entire house, there are plenty of options available.

Do you want an indoor heater that’s stylish as well as functional? How powerful does it need to be, and is it an energy-efficient and cost-effective choice for the long term?

Whether you are building or renovating, it’s important to choose indoor heating that’s comfortable and within the budget for your home.

Browse Home Hardware’s selection of stoves, heaters and fireplaces to find the right fit for your space.

All About Space Heaters

Space heaters offer a way to add extra heating to a room or warm up a space that isn’t being serviced. There are many types to choose from. Consider the following:

How large is the space you need to heat?
Do you need to heat the entire room or a specific area?
Is energy efficiency important?
Do you want the indoor heater to add to the room’s overall decor?
Does portability matter?
Do you prefer contemporary or traditional styling?

Versatile Large and Small Space Heaters

Space heaters come in many sizes and wattages. They are usually portable and designed to deliver focused heat.

Personal heaters are compact and great for use next to the bed or on your desk.
Small indoor heaters are ideal if you want to heat up a small area quickly.
If you want to heat a full room, you’ll need a larger, more powerful space heater.

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need 10 watts of heating power for every square foot in a room. To calculate, simply multiply the square footage of the room by 10 to determine the wattage.

Ceramic Fan-Forced Room Heaters

Ceramic fan-forced heaters generate heat through a ceramic heating element and include an internal fan that transfers warm air throughout the room.

These popular room heaters are versatile, affordable options. They come in a range of sizes and styles, from small compact versions to large tower heaters. They are ideal for offices, living rooms and family rooms but may be noisy for bedrooms.

PROS

Provide instant heat
Suitable for use on a table or floor
Effective for smaller spaces or spot heating
Easy to move around • Many fan-forced heaters have a cool touch surface for safe use

TIPS

If you decide to go with ceramic, consider an oscillating ceramic heater that distributes heat to a wider area.
Make sure the wattage rating suits the size of the room you need to heat. For example: A typical 1500-watt heater will heat rooms as large as 150 square feet when used as a supplementary heat source.
Consider non-fan-forced units such as a baseboard heater or an oil-filled radiator for silent operation in your bedroom.

Opt for Silence with Electric Convection Heaters

Convection heating is ideal for heating an entire room for a long period of time. Air circulates within the heater and across a heating element (often aided by a fan). The air absorbs the heat and rises, circulating through the room. Convection heaters can take longer to heat up but offer efficient and comfortable warmth

PROS

Circulates warm air evenly through a room
Great for offsetting drafts, especially under windows
Space-saving design
Silent operation
Self-regulating temperature

Enjoy Instant Heat with an Indoor Gas Heater

Gas heaters also utilize radiant heating. They generate heat by burning gas and using the warm air to heat radiant tubing. Radiant heat is emitted as the temperature rises. This method may require ventilation.

Delivers instant heat
Indoor propane heaters are compact and easily portable
Indoor natural gas heaters require a gas connection
A great choice for garages and workspaces
Available in propane, natural gas and kerosene options

Keep it Simple with an Electric Fireplace

Electric fireplaces create warmth by heating interior coils with electricity. Electric fireplaces can be costly to run, so it’s a good idea to look for an energy-efficient model.

PROS