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How many square feet will a 1500 watt heater heat?

150 square feet As a rule of thumb, you will need 10 watts of heating power for every square foot of floor area in a room. This means that a 1,500-watt heater can be the primary heat source for an area measuring up to 150 square feet.

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Space heaters allow you to add targeted warmth directly where you need it, and come in a variety of types and heating technologies. Portable heaters are ideal for rooms with inadequate heating or spaces where central heat can’t be installed. To quickly find the best heater for you, use our topic list below:

Finding the Right Size for Your Space

The best way to find the ideal space heater for your needs is to base it on the size of the room or space you want to heat. As a rule of thumb, you will need 10 watts of heating power for every square foot of floor area in a room. Total Wattage / 10 = Total Square Footage OR Total Square Footage x 10 = Total Wattage This means that a 1,500-watt heater can be the primary heat source for an area measuring up to 150 square feet. If it’s used as a supplemental heating source, however, it covers a much larger area.

You can use our sizing chart below for more information.

Calculating Square Footage & Wattage for Heating Square Footage of Your Space Wattage 75 sq. ft. 750 watts 100 sq. ft. 1,000 watts 125 sq. ft. 1,250 watts 150 sq. ft. 1,500 watts 200 sq. ft. 2,000 watts 250 sq. ft. 2,500 watts 300 sq. ft. 3,000 watts 350 sq. ft. 3,500 watts 400 sq. ft. 4,000 watts Ceiling Height: The above estimates assume you have traditional 8-foot ceilings and good insulation. If your ceilings measure higher than 8 feet, substitute 1.25 in the equation to find the total wattage. For example, Total Square Footage x Ceiling Height x 1.25 = Total Wattage . The above estimates assume you have traditional 8-foot ceilings and good insulation. If your ceilings measure higher than 8 feet, substitute 1.25 in the equation to find the total wattage. For example, . Poor Insulation: If you have poor insulation, use 12 watts in the equation instead of 10 watts. For example: Total Square Footage x 12 = Total Wattage

Browse space heaters based on the type of room and wattages

Bathroom Heaters: These come in various wattages, and provide supplemental heating with integrated safety and design features specifically for damp environments, including ALCI plugs that protect against electric shock. It’s important to verify that a space heater model is specifically rated for bathroom use to ensure safety. Heaters for Small Spaces: (Less than 1,000 watts or about 100 sq. ft.) Ideal for small bedrooms, nurseries, studies. Heaters for Medium/Standard Spaces: (1,000 to 1,800 watts or up to 180 sq. ft.) Perfect for bedrooms, home offices, breakfast rooms. Heaters for Large Spaces: (More than 1,800 watts or over 180 sq. ft.) Best suited for basements, family rooms, bonus rooms, and media rooms. Space Heater by Technology and Type Heaters use different heating technologies to generate heat, and still other techniques for spreading that heat throughout a room. With this wide variety, there is a space heater for any room in a home or office. Depending on the heating technology, space heaters can operate silently, making them ideal for bedrooms. Even models which use fans to disperse heat throughout a larger space, can still operate very quietly. Learn more about the technologies and styles of heaters to discover the one that will work best for you. You can see our models for each type by following the link.

Oil-Filled Radiators

Oil-filled radiator heaters are popular whole-room models that are nearly silent and cost-effective. This makes them ideal for bedrooms and other “quiet space” rooms. The heated diathermic oil spreads into the heater fins for greater surface area heating, and convection technology moves warmed air throughout the room. These portable heaters are convenient to use and transport easily to a spare bedroom, basement space, or anywhere they might be needed.

Radiant/Infrared Heating

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Infrared heaters use an infrared bulb, coil or quartz tube to warm objects instead of the air, working well as supplemental heating in larger spaces. Some include a blower fan to disperse heat and can be used in under-heated small spaces. They are also perfect for using under a desk or other personal space to keep warm in a chilly office or other work area.

Ceramic Heating

Ceramic heaters use an internal ceramic heating element, and are capable of regulating their own temperature without the use of wiring and coils. This self-regulating technology reduces the temperature as the desired setting is reached, making them safe & reliable. This type of heating technology is also more energy efficient than some other types.

Micathermic Heating

A unique heating element covered with thin sheets of Mica allow these heaters to have a slimmer design than many space heaters. This type of heater produces radiant heat in the form of electromagnetic rays produced by heating the Mica, and uses either convection or a blower fan to circulate warm air. They are safe to operate and are ideal for rooms with limited floor space. Some models can be mounted on a wall.

Fan-Forced Heating

A fan-forced space heater can have any number of heating element types, including a heating coil, infrared bulbs, or micathermic heating elements. All fan-forced heaters use an internal blower fan, instead of convection, to circulate warmed air throughout a room. While this may add a low level of sound to their operation, they are effective at warming larger areas. Many of this type of portable heaters, however some models are wall-mounted and can be safe for use in bathrooms.

Convection Heating

Several types of heaters use convection technology, instead of a blower fan, to circulate warm air throughout a space. As hot air rises, cool air falls and is warmed and then rises, creating a flowing current so that, over time, the space is entirely warmed. This makes convection heaters almost entirely silent while operating, so they're ideal for bedrooms and nurseries.

Baseboard Heaters

These heaters are long and narrow, mounted along a baseboard, and are usually hard-wired into the home. Many use on-board thermostats or controls, but they can be wired to a wall thermostat when needed. They’re great for basements or rooms and hallways without central heat, and are commonly used in rental properties. A similar type is a cove heater, which is mounted on the wall directly below the ceiling and can be controlled with a wall thermostat.

Wall Heaters

Installed on interior walls, these space heaters can provide supplemental heat in a wide variety of rooms, both large and small. Many are rated for use in bathrooms, while models with greater BTU output can heat larger spaces like basements and family or media rooms. Wall heaters can be operated using on on-board thermostat or hard-wired to a wall thermostat for precise control. A cousin to wall heaters are under-counter, or kick-space heaters, which can be mounted underneath cabinets in kitchens & bathrooms.

Safety Features

Manufacturers equip heaters with advanced safety features to greatly reduce the risk of fires and overheating. Overheat Protection Switch : This switch acts as a sensor, detecting when the heater's internal components reach an unsafe temperature. When that pre-determined temperature is reached, the unit shuts off automatically. : This switch acts as a sensor, detecting when the heater's internal components reach an unsafe temperature. When that pre-determined temperature is reached, the unit shuts off automatically. Tip-Over Protection Switch : Automatically shuts off the unit if it’s accidentally knocked over. This is an important feature regardless of the type of heater you purchase, particularly if you have children or pets. : Automatically shuts off the unit if it’s accidentally knocked over. This is an important feature regardless of the type of heater you purchase, particularly if you have children or pets. Cool-to-the-Touch: Room heaters equipped with heat-resistant exteriors can eliminate the risk of burn injuries caused by touching the unit. These models feature non-flammable, cool-touch cabinets.

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Room heaters equipped with heat-resistant exteriors can eliminate the risk of burn injuries caused by touching the unit. These models feature non-flammable, cool-touch cabinets. Safety Certifications: Heaters that are certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NTRL), such as CSA, ETL-Intertek, and UL, have been tested to ensure they don't contain faulty and hazardous electrical components. See our Portable Space Heaters Safety Tips for more information on space heater safety.

Power Consumption & Cost

Along with multiple heat settings, some electric room heaters offer multiple power levels which are generally measured in watts or BTUs. A BTU (or British Thermal Unit) rating is useful when comparing the energy output, because BTUs measure, among other things, the heating capacity of heaters and heating systems. The higher the BTUs, the higher the heat output. If a heater's BTU rating isn't listed, you can easily calculate it using this equation: Heater Wattage Rating X 3.413 (the number of BTUs that equal 1 watt) = BTU Output For example, an 800-watt heater would deliver 2,730 BTUs and a 2,000-watt space heater would produce roughly 6,826 BTUs of heat. The cost of operating a space heater obviously depends on the kilowatt/hour rate charged by your local electric power provider. To determine the approximate cost per day, simply multiply the watts of the heater by the per-hour rate, and that result by the number of hours you intend to operate it each day. For additional information on calculating a space heater’s operating cost, see our energy-efficient space heater guide.

In Summary

When choosing a space heater for your home or office, the most important consideration is the size of the space heater needed to adequately warm the area, or to provide supplemental heat for a smaller space in a room. This will help determine which type of heater will best suit the need. For silent heat, an oil-filled radiator is a great option. Personal spaces or small areas are quickly and effectively heated using infrared heaters. For larger rooms, a portable or wall-mounted ceramic heater, infrared or micathermic heater with fan-forced heat distribution work well, as do baseboard or cove heaters. Bathrooms require a space heater specifically designated as safe for use in damp spaces.

Still Have Questions?

For more information on specific heaters and other indoor air treatment solutions, review our extensive product listings and other Knowledge Center articles. Not sure what's best for you? Contact our product experts toll free at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help you make your indoor environment healthy and comfortable.

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