Warming up a large room doesn’t always call for a space heater. While a great choice for larger rooms with high ceilings is such a device, built-in options like radiant floors, duct booster fans, and other safe heating techniques have proven to be acceptable alternatives. Let’s look at other effective ways to warm up a cold room.
Dealing With a Cold Room
There’s usually that room in a home where the chill doesn’t let up. Many choose to address such a problem with an electric space heater, and the machine does solve it to a certain extent.
That’s because such appliances also have their drawbacks, and the most repelling include burning curious toddlers and serving as unappealing obstructions and literal space-eaters, as in some models can take up so much room. Not to mention, some of the really large ones can overload your home’s electrical circuit.
Thankfully, they’re not the only indoor space heating options available, as these alternative methods for warming up a room prove. Our list even includes simple troubleshooting solutions, so make sure to read on.
Unblock Blocked Registers
It’s not uncommon for a chilly room to warm up by opening or unblocking a register or two. Just ask any experienced furnace technician out there; sometimes, that’s all it takes.
That said, before seeking a professional out, check all the vents. A few of them could be closed, or there could be some obstructions causing the extra chill.
If the culprit obstructor is a piece of furniture or a carpet, a little rearranging should be all it takes to fix the problem.
Open the Dampers
Make sure dampers are adjusted so you don’t prevent air from flowing to the rooms that need it. Depending on the time of the year, some dampers may need different adjustments, but you should keep them mostly open otherwise. These structures tend to be close to the large duct’s supply-air plenum that feeds your home’s indoor spaces.
Change the Furnace Filter
Heating and cooling problems tend to revolve around one area: the filters. More often than not, a room is extra chilly because the filters are dirty.
Clean filters boost air quality and heat a room accordingly. If the filters are clean and the heater is working okay, reinspect the filters.
They may not be working how they’re supposed to and need replacement. You should replace furnace filters monthly during wintertime.
Clear the Radiators
Unless there’s sufficient airflow, radiators can’t produce maximum heat. If the chill in your room isn’t letting up, check if there are obstructions to the airflow. We understand some of you want to keep their radiators covered, but there are ways to do so without keeping the air from flowing safely and freely. These DIY radiator covers may prove good considerations.
Install Toe-Kick Heaters
Electric toe-kick heaters are a great way to warm up a cold room. These small heaters should easily fit into the hollow spaces under vanities, staircases, and kitchen cabinets.
A dedicated circuit from the main panel is needed to power these appliances sufficiently. We recommend choosing a model with a temperature control feature and can be controlled using a switch.
Get a Duct Booster Fan
A duct booster fan is ideal for when you have forced-air heat. These structures help boost the flow of warm air through the ducts and into a cold room. You can have an in-line model installed inside a standard-size duct to conserve space.
The installation process usually calls for mounting the blower close to the duct’s outlet-end and installing the pressure switch. That shouldn’t be too hard to do on your own, but enlist the help of a professional in case there’s anything you’re unsure about.
Units on the low-end of the price spectrum tend to cause a racket, so best invest in a high-quality model.
Get a Wall-Mounted Heater
Imagine having an electric space heater that doesn’t take up any floor space. That’s what it’s like to have a wall-mounted heater. The market is saturated with top-notch, affordable models, so don’t worry about finding one.
We recommend a model you can control using your smartphone via WiFi. Wall-mounted heaters keep you from worrying about any curious youngsters getting too close to the appliance.
Install Heated Flooring
In case you don’t mind remodeling the flooring, electric heated floors would be an excellent way to add extra warmth to a room. They’re especially ideal for cold bathrooms due to their in-floor heating mechanism that works for cold tiles.
The Right Space Heater
Despite the typical downsides of using an electric space heater, picking out a model ideal for your circumstances should still be one of the best options for heating a large room. In terms of technological advancement, efficiency, and convenience, a premier space heater is hard to beat in general.