If you’ve been thinking about investing in an appliance to keep your basement warm, keep on reading! In this post, we’ll be discussing the best space heaters for basements.
In this proHVACinfo guide, you’ll learn:
- What are space heaters for basements? (are they any different?)
- What are the different types of space heaters for basements? (learn know what you need before you buy)
- How do space heaters for basements work? (surprising differences in heating methods)
- What do you look for in the best space heaters for basements? (keep an eye out for these 5 things)
- Our reviews of the best space heaters for basements
And much more!
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
January 2, 2022
Lasko Electric Tower Heater
Check on AmazonThere are hundreds of options available in the field of basement space heaters, and making a choice can be tough.--break--We’ve done the research so you don’t have to!--break--After slimming a competitive field of basement space heaters down to just 5, we declared the Lasko Air Logic tower heater our number one pick.--break--Why?--break--This is a beautifully designed heater, and because of its low profile base, it takes up very little room.--break--It boasts a handy remote control, and an automatic thermostat for precise heating.--break--Simply set it to a temperature of your choosing and the smart thermostat will automatically shut down the heater once that temperature has been reached.--break--If you’re looking for a low noise basement space heater, this is really a great choice for you – the bladeless design cuts out a significant portion of the noise you’d usually experience with any kind of fan heater, a big when you're trying to enjoy your basement in peace.
Short on time? Check out our quick roundup of our top 5 space heaters for basements!
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What's in This Guide?
What Are Space Heaters For Basements?
Space heaters are simple household appliances that are used to heat targeted indoor area.
This is opposed to central heating (which heats your whole home).
Space heaters are available in a number of different styles and with a number of different power sources, including electricity and propane.
While there are no space heaters specifically for basement use, basements are rooms that many homeowners always find colder than the rest of the home, and often struggle to keep warm.
Keeping your basement warm can be extremely beneficial in preventing the growth of mold and preventing damp conditions.
Not only that, but warming your basement can also help to prevent pipes from freezing over, a potentially disastrous situation.
The space heaters that work best in basements are typically those that are either able to be permanently affixed to a wall, or, are highly portable.
Especially if the basement floor space is large and you only have a small heater, you will want the heat to be directed directly towards you if you’re in the area.
What are the Different Types Of Space Heaters For Basements?
Keep reading as we discover the most popular types of space heaters for basements
Ceramic
Ceramic heaters use electricity to heat a metal coil. In turn, the coil transfers its heat to a ceramic plate.
Ceramic plates are highly regarded for their ability to not only absorb heat, but to disperse it – believe it or not, the space shuttle was covered in external ceramic plates to dissipate the enormous heat generated when reentering the atmosphere!
As the heat dissipates, it radiates out into the room, and when assisted by a fan, provides a safe and efficient heating medium.
Infrared Heaters
With infrared heaters we get a little more technical.
These space heaters for basements use a special quartz lamp that generates electromagnetic radiation (don’t worry, it’s harmless)!
This radiation works in a similar fashion to the radiation from the sun, it heats up the people and objects in the room, objects will only experience a temperature increase if they are in direct contact with the waves.
They have the benefit of providing almost instant warmth, however this heat doesn’t last long after turning off the heater.
Oil Filled Radiator Heaters
Oil filled radiators are amongst the oldest of the space heater designs.
They don’t use their oil as fuel, but rather as a conduit for dispersing heat out into the room by thermal convection.
They use electricity to power an element that heats the diathermic oil within.
As the oil heats, it expands and fills the radiator fins, which warm the surrounding air.
As the surrounding air gets hotter, it begins to rise, and this has the effect of drawing down cooler air from above, which then in turn gets warmed.
How Do Space Heaters For Basements Work?
By taking advantage of the technologies described above to provide heat, space heaters for basements warm the air within your basement.
There are many advantages to this beyond comfort.
One of the most important considerations is structural protection. Keeping your basement at the right temperature can help to prevent the air from becoming too humid, which can in turn reduce the risk of damp, mildew and mold.
As we mentioned earlier, a warmer environment can also help to prevent burst pipes.
These basement space heaters are a must have in colder climates as frozen pipes often burst, leading to catastrophic flooding of your home.
Of course, space heaters can also just make your basement more usable. In this age of remote work and reduced social gathering, many people have converted basements into home offices or even gyms.
A space heater for your basement can make the space a much more comfortable place to be!
What Do You Look For In The Best Space Heaters For Basements?
Even poor quality space heaters for basements will produce some heat when turned on, but what is that separates the great ones from the not so great?
Let’s take a look at the features that distinguish those that make the grade from those that aren’t worth your time.
Fan Speed Control
Being able to alter the fan speed on your fan equipped heater will give you greater control over the ambient air in your basement.
By fan forcing hot air around the room, you will be able to increase the rate in which the average room temperate increases, ultimately speeding up the process of heating your basement.
Precision Thermostat
Look for models equipped with a precision thermostat.
This will give you the greatest possible control over the actual temperature in the room, which is obviously ideal for maintaining optimum conditions for preventing mold and mildew development.
A dial control is good, a digital thermostat is better.
Automatic Thermostat Control
The best models come equipped with thermostats that maintain a constant temperature in the room.
They will allow the heater to run until the set temperature is reached, and then shut off.
Once the temperature falls below the desired setting, the unit will turn on again automatically and continue heating until once again, the room is at the right temperature.
Timer
Timer functions are great for coming home to a nice warm space.
If you need to have your basement warm for starting work in your home office for example, set it to run for an hour or so prior to your start time.
This takes the thought out of operating the heater and ensures you’re only using the electricity to power it when absolutely necessary.
Safety Features
Any device designed to provide heat brings with it an inherent fire risk, and as basements may be unoccupied while heaters are running (although we strongly discourage leaving any heating device unattended while running).
The best space heaters for basements are designed with safety features to reduce the risk of accidental fires.
Tip over protection is an important function – this is a feature that, when a tip over is detected, will automatically turn off the heater.
A second, and equally important safety feature is overheat protection.
Overheat protection automatically shuts down the heater if the internal temperature reaches a predesignated point.
Not only will it shut down the heater, it will prevent it from being turned on again until a safe temperature is detected again.
Best Space Heaters For Basements Reviewed
Lasko Air Logic Tower Heater (Our Top Pick)
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Our top pick, the Lasko Logic Bladeless tower heater is an excellent all round choice for most basement space heating applications.--break--It offers an excellent interface with nice, simple touch controls on the unit, and an easy to use remote control.--break--This model is noticeably quieter than traditional ceramic fan heaters, but still offers long range projection.--break--Bladeless fan technology like that found in this model really is the future when it comes to fan heaters.--break--It utilizes a permanent rear mounted filter, and thanks to the EZ Click system the heat channels are easily wiped down.--break--Being able to do this prevents a buildup of dust and lint, which becomes a fire risk in large quantities.--break--For safety, it’s built with a safe touch surface, a tip-over shutoff, and a thermal overload protector.
Pros
- Much quieter than traditional fan heaters--break--Permanent filter means low ongoing running costs--break--2 Heat Settings
Cons
- Not suitable for damp conditions--break--Prone to damage if knocked over
De’Longhi Oil Filled Radiator (High End Pick)
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When it comes to whole room warmth, there are few heaters that do it better than this oil filled radiator from De’Longhi.--break--This is an upmarket, household name brand, so there is no doubting the quality of this heater.--break--It’s loaded with many thoughtful features that make this a great choice, for example, the patented thermal slots – this design feature helps to keep the surface of the heater lower than comparable models without them, without losing warming power.--break--Being an oil filled heater, this is a very efficient option, especially when you factor in the built in eco mode and 24 hour programmable timer.--break--For accurate temperature control, this unit also features variable heat settings and a digital thermostat.
Pros
- 2 Color choices--break--Smooth rolling casters--break--Digital controls
Cons
- Slow to warm up--break--Retained heat after shutoff may not appeal to all
Heat Storm, HS1000 Infrared Wall Heater (Best Budget Pick)
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If you’re looking for an excellent value choice at a surprisingly low price point, this infrared wall heater from Heat Storm is a great option.--break--We found it to be extremely well-equipped with features, and the fact that it includes Wi-Fi control was a big plus!--break--When you download the Heat Storm app on your compatible smart phone or tablet, you will be able to connect to your heater and operate its controls and even set its schedule.--break--If you’re not a big fan of mobile apps, don’t worry, it still comes with a standard remote control.--break--Because it’s wall mounted, it takes up no floor space, which does give it an advantage over typical portable space heaters (if you aren’t interested in moving it around the basement).--break--It draws just 1000W during operation, which is low for a heater, and because it relies on quartz infrared for warmth, the heating effects are almost instant.
Pros
- Price--break--500 Sq ft of coverage--break--Large, clear digital display
Cons
- Not portable
Pelonis 1500W Radiator Heater
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This Pelonis oil filled space heater for basements caught our attention with its strong performance and great value pricing.--break--This is an effective heater that can provide warmth to a mid-size basement, while still being efficient.--break--It offers a low power draw eco mode, and variable heat settings that can speed up or slow down the rate of warming. It features a convenient 10 hour timer, and a digital thermostat with 5 heat settings.--break--This model can heat from 65 degrees up to 85 degrees, with the temperature you’ve selected clearly displayed on the large LED screen.--break--For convenience, there is a multifunction remote control, and because this heater operates in almost complete silence, it’s a great option for anybody who values peace and quiet.--break--Safety features include overheat protection and tip over shut off.
Pros
- Good safety features--break--Quiet operation--break--Even heating throughout the room
Cons
- Hot to the touch--break--Heavy at 16 pounds
Duraflame Electric Infrared Heater
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For our final review we chose a heater that is a little different, but will add character to your basement. We’re sure you’ll like it!--break--This Duraflame infrared quartz fireplace provides quick, comfortable heat from the infrared element, and because it is styled as a traditional fireplace, makes for a lovely addition to any finished basement.--break--It boasts 3D flame technology, giving a realistic fire ambiance without the need for (and risk of) actual fire.--break--There are 6 color choices, too, so you should almost certainly find something to match your décor.--break--It’s equipped with a digital thermostat for easy viewing of the current settings, too.
Pros
- Cool touch exterior--break--Multiple color choices--break--1000 Sq ft heating footprint
Cons
- Heat comes from bottom of the unit--break--Loud fan
Final Thoughts On The Best Space Heaters For Basements
Keeping your basement warm should never be an afterthought.
Whether you’re down there often or not, keeping the temperature up can help to prevent many potentially serious issues, and of course, making it more comfortable makes you more inclined to actually use the space you have.
