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

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.
    
     
     
    
  
​Personal Low Voltage Heater
  
​1500W Digital Oscillating Fan Heater
  
​23" 1500 Watt Ceramic Tower Heater
  

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  
1500W Digital Bathroom Ceramic Heater, with ALCI Plug
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
Space-Saving Baseboard Heaters 
Electric baseboard convection heaters are designed to fit along the floor by your baseboards. Wall (or panel) convection heaters work the same way but mount higher on the wall.
 
 
 
 
240 Volt 500 Watt Convection Baseboard Heater
Item #5571-001
 
400W Wallmount Panel Heater
Item #3836-916
 
Electric Oil-Filled Heaters
Oil-filled heaters (or radiators) also use convection heating. 

PROS 
  • Low maintenance and never need to be refilled 
  • Easily portable for use where you need it most

Warm Up with Radiant and Infrared Heaters

Infrared and radiant heaters work much like the sun. They use infrared rays of heat to radiate warmth to nearby objects. 

PROS 
  • Provide instant heat 
  • Silent and energy efficient 
  • Environmentally friendly  

While radiant and infrared heaters use the same technology, there are some differences to look out for.  
Radiant heaters: 
  • Are generally better for use in smaller spaces 
  • Are designed to disperse heat that radiates mainly in one direction 
  • Ideal for spot heating a portion of the room
Infrared heaters: 
  • Have the ability to heat an entire room 
  • Are often more stylish and enhance a room’s decor 
  • Infrared heaters are usually more expensive than radiant heaters
 
 
 
 
6,000 - 18,000 BTU Portable Radiant Propane Heater
 
 
27" 1500W Infrared Wooden Tower Heater
 

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

Add Ambiance with an Indoor Fireplace

Indoor fireplaces not only bring warmth to your living space but also cozy ambiance. They are a great option if you want a supplemental heating source that will also enhance your decor.

Cozy Up to a Wood Stove Fireplace

A wood fireplace can add traditional charm to your home. They radiate heat from multiple sides, rather than in one direction. They are less expensive to operate but cost more to install than electric fireplaces. Some also come as multi-functional wood/cook stoves, making them a great option for cottages.

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 
  • Easy and cost-effective to install 
  • Low maintenance 
  • Safe for use around children and pets 
  • Flame effect can often be operated with or without heat  

There are different styles of electric fireplaces to choose from. Some popular ones are listed below.

Freestanding Electric Fireplace

Freestanding fireplaces plug in and provide the instant charm of a classic wood burning fireplace. Many have an internal fan to better distribute heat throughout a room. They may include storage space or be designed to accommodate flat-panel TVs.










54" Kiara Media Electric Fireplace

Get Space-Saving Style with a Wall Fireplace

A wall-mounted fireplace makes an attractive focal point in a room. They come in both modern and traditional styles, so you can choose the one that best suits your decor. Their space-saving design is great for smaller spaces. Some can be recessed into the wall or simply hung.




42" Wall Mount Electric Fireplace with Reversible Frame, Rustic Barnboard/Washed Driftwood
With so many indoor heating options, there’s always a way to beat the cold. Keep your family warm and cozy—any time of year—with the right indoor heater for your living space. Check out our selection of indoor heaters.
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