Electric Heaters
Convection Heaters: These heaters use heating elements to warm the surrounding air. Examples include oil-filled radiators and panel heaters, which are ideal for long-term heating of entire rooms.
Fan Heaters: Fan heaters use a fan to blow air over the heating element, providing quick, spot heating. Examples are ceramic fan heaters and tower heaters.
Infrared Heaters: Infrared heaters emit infrared radiation to directly heat objects and people, rather than the air. Quartz and halogen heaters are examples, suitable for outdoor use or local heating.
Mica Heaters: Mica heaters combine convection and radiant heating using mica panels, offering quiet, efficient, and stable heating.
Gas Heaters
Natural Gas Heaters: These heaters use piped natural gas as fuel and are economical for home heating in areas with gas supply. Examples include wall-mounted or portable gas heaters.
Propane Heaters: Propane heaters use portable propane tanks as fuel, suitable for camping or outdoor spaces.
Kerosene Heaters: Kerosene heaters use liquid kerosene as fuel, ideal for emergency heating or areas without electricity.
Central Heating Systems
Furnaces: Furnaces use forced air through ducts to distribute heat, fueled by natural gas, electricity, or oil, suitable for heating whole houses.
Boilers: Boilers heat water to provide hot water or steam through radiators, fueled by natural gas, oil, or electricity, suitable for radiant heating or hydronic systems.
Heat Pumps: Heat pumps transfer heat from air, ground, or water into indoor spaces. Types include air-source and geothermal, suitable for energy-efficient heating and cooling all year round.
Wood and Biomass Heaters
Wood Stoves: Wood stoves burn firewood or pellets for heat, suitable for rustic, off-grid heating.
Pellet Stoves: Pellet stoves burn compressed wood pellets for efficient heating, suitable for eco-friendly, low-maintenance heating.
Special-Purpose Heaters
Local Heaters: Portable heaters for small areas, such as electric fan or ceramic heaters, suitable for spot heating.
Baseboard Heaters: Installed along baseboards, heating rooms through convection, suitable for supplementary heating.
Underfloor Heating: Installed beneath floors to provide even heat distribution, suitable for specific rooms like bathrooms for comfortable heating.
Outdoor Heaters: Examples include patio heaters and infrared heaters, suitable for heating outdoor spaces.
Selection Factors
Energy Efficiency: Consider energy efficiency ratings or eco-friendly options.
Room Size: Larger rooms require more powerful heaters.
Safety: Consider safety features like tip-over and overheat protection.
Cost: Costs vary by type, including initial investment, maintenance, and operating costs.