Heating Home Additions with an Electrical Heater

A home addition can give your family the breathing room it needs to grow and stay comfortable and is a popular way to update and add value to a house. Whether it's a finished basement, an added second level, or a rear deck, you'll have a lot of work to do before deciding what you'll be using the room (or rooms) for. You'll need to figure out cost, flooring, insulation, plumbing... the list is a long one! If one of the last things you've thought about is heating, don't worry - it's actually one of the easiest decisions you'll have to make! There's no need to tear down walls, re-do duct work, or install expensive floor or ceiling units. Instead try using a simple electrical heater, which can provide convenient comfort for any type of home addition.

Electrical heaters come in a variety of models and styles so there's sure to be one out there that fits your needs.

Our guide will help you figure out which electrical heater will work best in a home addition, so you can have year round comfort in your new space.

Basement - Electric Fireplace

A finished basement is a huge accomplishment. It takes a lot of work to make something naturally dark and cold into a livable space. Aside from a foot-friendly floor of carpet or hardwood, heating is the number one thing you'll need to keep your basement cozy and warm.

Basements make a great home theater, game room or even man cave. A great heating option for your cozy underground nook is an electric fireplace. Electric fireplaces are more than just an electrical heater - they're also a beautiful statement piece that adds mood and atmosphere.

Electrical heater fireplaces  are a unique way to add supplemental heating to your home. Many can warm a room up to 400 sq. ft. and are easy and clean to operate. Fireplace electrical heaters plug into a standard household outlet, so you can avoid the hassle of trying to tap into existing heating ductwork.

Sunroom - Baseboard Electrical Heater

Sunrooms are a popular home addition because they're often cheaper to add-on than a regular room. Sunrooms help bridge the gap between the indoors and outdoors, and let you enjoy the beauty of nature all year round.

If you're currently using your sunroom only during the warmer months, consider upgrading to a full four-season sunroom by installing some sort of heating system. Adding an electrical heater will help you take advantage of this beautiful room, and it's such an easy quick fix!

A great electrical heater for your sunroom is a baseboard heater. It's a permanent fixture that requires minimal installation (some hardwiring) and doesn't need to be connected to your central heating system.

Best of all, adding a baseboard electrical heater can help make the space into "livable square footage," since in many areas of the country a room addition isn't counted as finished unless it's heated. An electrical heater will add value and function to your home at a relatively low cost.

Baseboard heaters are low-profile and space-saving. Some models are even portable so you can just plug them in to use. These electrical heaters are extremely low maintenance and will last for years.

Garage - Infrared Electrical Heater

A garage that's converted into a full-time or part-time workshop needs heat. Garages often become freezers in the wintertime, and if you have to put on a ski jacket just to access the laundry machine out there, it's time to get a garage heater.

There are electrical heaters specifically made for heating a poorly insulated area like a garage, and besides a typical shop or utility heater, consider an infrared heater. Infrared electrical heaters are efficient because they warm objects directly and there is no heat loss to the air. They are non-disruptive, silent, offer instant heat and are safe - it's no wonder why infrared is an increasingly popular type of space heater!

An infrared electrical heater  is a great option for garages since energy isn't wasted trying to heat air that wouldn't stay warm anyway, due to poor insulation. If you plan on standing or sitting in one spot for a long time, an infrared heater will keep you warm in the most efficient way. On the downside, since infrared heaters don't heat the air at all, once you turn it off, any heat created will quickly disappear.

Bathroom - Wall or Ceiling Electrical Heater

Adding a bathroom is costly, but if you can afford it, it's often worth it. A bathroom not only adds comfort and convenience, it recoups much of your initial investment at resale. Most people look for at least two full bathrooms when purchasing a house, and no one ever says they'd want less bathroom footage.

Whether you've just added a bathroom, or have one that needs a little extra heating in the winter time, installing a wall or ceiling electrical heater is a great way to get warmth without sacrificing precious space.

These heaters are designed to recess partially into the wall, so no floor or counter space needs to be used and the design of your bathroom is minimally affected. This does, however, mean some installation is required.

Wall and ceiling electrical heaters use fans to rapidly circulate heated air.  Wall heaters can be installed on any interior wall and can be placed up high, beyond the reach of small children for safety.

Many wall or ceiling heaters have a built-in thermostat for convenient operation. For a safety measure against overheating, look for models that will turn off automatically if the unit becomes too hot. These electrical heaters are a great way to get safe instant heating in a compact space.

Rear Deck - Electric Patio Heater

If you're looking to heat a rear deck or patio, an outdoor electrical heater will keep your space usable all year round. Patio heaters allow you to entertain guests outside during a winter dinner party, and make it easier to enjoy a quick swim any time of the year.

There are a variety of  patio heaters out there - from freestanding to table top - and electrical heaters are becoming an increasingly popular option over standard propane heaters. While propane heaters are easier to move around due to their inherently mobile design, patio heaters that run on electricity have the advantage of simplicity. Once you have your unit set up, all you need to do to operate it is turn on a switch! Never have to transport another propane tank or worry about a gas leak again.

Electrical heaters are a great addition to your rear deck, pool area, or outdoor kitchen. They're safe and easy to use, and are relatively inexpensive.

Any Room in the House

By supplementing your central heating system with an electrical space heater, you can save on energy bills and get extra heat where you may normally get none.

An electrical heater will help make any room in the house a cozy little nook. Whether you have a newly finished guest bedroom in the basement, or plan to host a Thanksgiving feast outdoors, make sure you have the right electrical heater for the space. Shop our selection of electrical heaters today to turn any room or area into part of a home!