Electric heaters

Jmort1754

WKR
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
1,779
Long story short, old house only 2 registers upstairs. Have plastic on all windows. Need supplemental heat for the kids. What is the safest thing to go with ?
 
A mini split would be my first choice, Mitsubishi makes a cold version that will do better when it below freezing,
I don't remember the exact temp.

If you decide to go with electric coil heat keep in mind the existing electrical will most likely need upgraded.
 
We had a wood stove for heat for maybe 11 years… didn’t get too warm in the babies rooms so we just put an oil filled radiant heater I had for maybe 20 years. Worked great. Surely someone will have better advice or say this isn’t good but we did it with three kids.

Something like this.

 
A mini split would be my first choice, Mitsubishi makes a cold version that will do better when it below freezing,
I don't remember the exact temp.

If you decide to go with electric coil heat keep in mind the existing electrical will most likely need upgraded.
This option would also give you cooling in the summer. Something to think about.
 
How many days below freezing? The new mini's work, but don't know if they work in sub freezing temps. What about a wall furnace ?Propane or gas.
 
How many days below freezing? The new mini's work, but don't know if they work in sub freezing temps. What about a wall furnace ?Propane or gas

The new minis work even here in Montana, last 5 years of improvements have been pretty remarkable.

2 family members use them as primary heating/cooling in NW Montana and have zero issue all winter
 
The oil filled heaters in post #3 are the safest portable option. If you go that way make sure that the circuit you put it on isn’t overloaded, and if you must use an extension cord, use a 12 gauge cord. For a permanent install, baseboard heaters are pretty safe. Any of these can be a fire hazard if you allow bedding or other cloth to pile up on them.

Also will seriously up your power bill, but you prolly know that already.
 
I use one of the oil-filled space heaters like others have mentioned to heat my office. Does well for a single room. Depending on your current electrical setup, I would think that would be the best combo of cheap, easy, and safe.

Edit: What I have ->
Screenshot 2024-12-03 at 4.05.18 PM.png
 
I am having luck with heat towers. They blow air with variable vanes and are controllable via a thermostat. They don't take up much space, and are quite portable. For 200 Sq feet more than adequate.
My other choice would be an oil filled radiant. They produce the most heat for the least amperage.

Unfortunately, if power fails, most new models do not restart automatically.
 
I use one of the oil-filled space heaters like others have mentioned to heat my office. Does well for a single room. Depending on your current electrical setup, I would think that would be the best combo of cheap, easy, and safe.

Edit: What I have ->
View attachment 800859
This is an excellent option for a single room. Oil filled and retains heat after thermostat shuts it off.
 
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