Not sure what to look for in an energy-efficient space heater? We spoke with home health and safety experts, and we’re sharing their advice below, plus their most helpful tips on how to warm up your space, and our top picks for the best energy-efficient space heaters. There are certainly energy-efficient convection heaters, too, but the EPA doesn’t currently label space heaters as an Energy Star–qualified product—which can make choosing an energy-efficient space heater a bit difficult. Experts recommend taking a few key features into consideration. First, it’s important to pay attention to the heater’s wattage rating. The higher the wattage, the more electricity or energy it will consume. As a rule of thumb, space heaters with a fan tend to consume more energy than those without. “Look for a space heater with multiple heat settings, and ideally an energy saving or ECO-mode. That way, you can use less energy by only heating the room to the temperature you need,” says Cate Walter, director at Rhino Safety, experts in health, safety, and fire risk management. Home fire safety expert and director of the Fire Risk Assessment Network John Smith adds that features such as overheat protection and an adjustable thermostat can help you safely heat your space while ultimately saving energy by maintaining your desired room temperature. Lastly, you’ll want to find a space heater designed specifically for the room size you plan to use it in. This will help ensure that you get the most efficient heating for your needs. Even better, the brand offers a 3-year limited warranty, so you can be sure you’re making a sound investment for years to come. Reviewers love the design and effectiveness of this heater, the app-controlled capabilities, and the fact that it significantly reduces their electricity bills. A few people wish that there were even more scheduling options, as you can only set one temperature at a time. The brand offers a 5-year warranty and free round-the-clock technical support to help you with any questions or issues you may have. Although it’s not meant for very large rooms, customers say this heater is quick to warm up a smaller space and is “great for saving on your electricity bill.” The device also gets a lot of love for being extremely quiet, even from self-proclaimed light sleepers. The EconoHome convection heater is designed to be mounted to the wall and can even be painted to match the room aesthetic. Although it’s lacking digital temperature control, it does offer a plug-in thermostat to help you customize the heat settings to your liking. There aren’t a ton of reviews yet on the company’s website, but they’re almost all positive. Customers love that this heater warms their space and say it’s so quiet they almost forget they have it on. A couple of people note that it takes a bit longer than they’d like to warm up. There is no LED display, but you can use the built-in buttons to select fixed temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This heater only has 25 reviews at the time of publication, but maintains a 4.6 out of 5-star rating overall. It gets a ton of great feedback for warmth, energy-efficiency, and size—but some people do say it runs a bit loud. On the other hand, if you’re looking to heat a large space or multiple rooms throughout the house, our experts advise that space heaters are not the best option. Below are a few other options to consider if you’re looking to heat your home this winter: When home updates aren’t an option, there are other ways to give you some warmth without breaking the bill:
