6 Fan Heater Truths and Myths

There are many advantages to owning a fan heater, but many people remain concerned with the reputation these types of space heaters have. Here we'll separate myth from truth, and hopefully help you figure out if a fan heater is right for your home. Don't rely on rumors - instead count on expert knowledge and first hand experience!

1. Are Fan Heaters Dangerous?

Myth : People often hesitate on buying a fan heater because despite its affordability and convenience, safety is a big issue. Truth :  Nowadays, fan heaters are extremely safe to use, and are no longer the fire hazards they used to be. If you use your heater correctly, there should be no safety issues. A fan heater is thought to be dangerous because it can easily tip over and begin to overheat, however technology has practically eliminated this risk. Helpful Hint : Fan heaters often have multiple safety features, including a thermal overload protector, a safety tip-over switch and a polarized plug. You can also look for a fan heater that has cool to the touch housing, or a timer that will automatically turn the unit off after a certain amount of time.

2. Will a Fan Heater Make the Air Too Dry?

Myth : A fan heater will completely dry out the air in a house, causing discomfort and coughing.

Truth : During the winter, air becomes dryer in general. Dryness is often more noticeable in warmer air, so a fan heater warming a space can become uncomfortable. This will make it seem like a fan heater is drying up an area more than it actually is. If you find your home becoming too dry in cold weather, make sure all the doors, walls and windows are weatherized.

Helpful Hint : Many people suggest adding a humidifier to the house, to keep moisture in the air and help transfer heat more effectively. It'll also cut down on static charges. At the very least, you can place a bowl of water near a fan heater - but not too close! - and let it evaporate to help bring some moisture into the air.

3. Will the Electricity Be Too Expensive?

Myth : It is more expensive to use a fan heater than central heating.

Truth : While electricity does cost money and use resources, it may no longer be your most expensive utility. Natural gas and fuel oil prices have skyrocketed in the past few years, and their cost can be unpredictable. A fan heater may or may not be a better option than central heating - it depends how you use it.

Helpful Hint : If you need a fan heater to warm one room for a short amount of time (for say a couple hours, not a week straight), a zonal heating approach with a space heater is the way to go. It'll allow you to turn down your central thermostat, while retaining the comfort level you need in a particular spot in the house. Using a space heater only when necessary can help cut down energy costs in the long run.

4. Is a Cheap Fan Heater Worth It?

Myth : A myth often encouraged by manufacturers is that their bigger, newer, and more expensive models will provide better efficiency.

Truth: In reality all electric heaters are very close to 100% efficient. Fan heaters are some of the cheapest space heaters around because of the simplicity of their design, and if you want to save the most money, go with the cheapest heater.

Helpful Hint : The most powerful fan heater you can buy will give you 1500 watts of heat, sufficient for a space of about 150 square feet. Models that are more expensive than around $30 won't necessarily offer any more heating power, but they will have additional perks like a remote control or an oscillation feature.

5. Are Fan Heaters Inefficient?

Myth : Fan heaters are an inefficient way to heat large spaces because they aren't powerful enough.

Truth : When shopping around for a fan heater, you'll find that different options promise to heat more or less square footage using the same amount of power. Generally, 1000 watts will heat 100 square feet, however this can vary depending on the layout and insulation of the room. For the best results with a space heater, make sure your room is able to keep the heated air in. Some people get amazing results from their small units!

Helpful Hint : Caulk, seal and weather-strip doors and windows where drafts are detected. Find drafts by walking through your home with a lit stick of incense. A draft will pull smoke in its direction, allowing you to see where cold air is seeping in. If a gap between the seal of your doors and windows is bigger than a nickel, it's time to re-caulk.

6. Do Fan Heaters Make Too Much Noise?

Myth : Fan heaters are too loud and distracting.

Truth : While the whirling fan isn't completely silent, it may not be as distracting as you think. Compared to every day noise, fan heaters create minimal noise pollution. For example, the Air King 8132 electric ceramic space heater runs with a noise level of 47dB. In comparison, the average residence is normally operating at a faint 40 dB (equaling the hum of a commercial refrigerator) and conversational speech is around 60 dB.

Helpful Hint : Light sleepers may actually find themselves appreciating the white noise of a fan heater that can drown out annoying traffic sounds or voices that can be disruptive.

What People are Saying about Their Fan Heater

Check out what these fan heater users are saying about their favorite purchases:

"During remodel with no heat or insulation, the house stays cold. By closing off one room and using the Vornado it warms up from 10 to 20 degrees in less than an hour.... My electric company says I am probably paying 25 to 35 cents an hour. To warm the room for 3 hours each evening and spend about a dollar is worth it to be warm." - P. Harrison from San Marcos, CA about the Vornado DVTH Vortex space heater.

"This small and compact heater delivers! It does all it needs to do, which is heat, and has no extraneous features to fail. It is well built, and the on/off and thermostat knobs are tight and solid." - Geofredo from Melbourne, FL about the Air King 8945 portable electric space heater.

"This space heater is great. It looks nice in an office environment and heats up an area quickly. We are very conscious about safety and this heater has all the safety features that one wants to insure a safe environment to work in. It is a little louder than some, but excellent price... Can't beat it!" - Trish from Columbia, MD about the Soleus HC7-15-01 PTC tower ceramic heater.

"The unit that I purchased is perfect for the lower bedroom in our house. It is very quiet and heats the room in a very short time." - Anonymous from Siren, WI about the Air King 8132 electric space heater.

"I was looking for a low cost, efficient way to heat a 16x24 family room. It's fantastic. It is better than advertised. We set the temperature to 72 degrees and in six minutes, six minutes the room is no longer an igloo! We were taken aback at the simplicity. How could something so small be so powerful?" - P. Kwiat from Agawam, MA about the Vornado DVTH Vortex space heater.

Now that you can separate fan heater legend from truth, you're ready to purchase your own space fan heater! The best way to figure out what works best for you is to take one for a spin yourself. Fan heaters are a cheap investment that won't take up very much room, so really you have nothing to lose. You have everything to gain in a cozy, well-heated house, however, so shop our selection of fan heaters at Heater Home today!