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Top 17 Best Space Heater For Large Basement Of 2024

Sonya Harris
  Mar 29, 2024 10:07 AM

Using the internet, we discovered how many possibilities are there. Even we got lost: the competition is tough. So, we laid out criteria to choose the best space heater for large basement. The criteria were fairly simple: get the most bang for a buck, have great performance and user reviews.


Overview

Having a man cave in your basement or garage is a great idea, but it's not always the most comfortable. When the winter months arrive, many of us will find that our dens are a little drafty, especially if we have a lot of room to fill.

Even though basements are often poorly insulated, many do not have a central air conditioning system at all. To add insult to injury, this can cause pipes to freeze and burst as well as making the room uncomfortable.

Even a vast basement may be turned into a pleasant man cave with the correct space heater. If you and your friends want to go watch a game, there won't be any need for you to bundle up.

Because of their portability, efficiency, and low cost, portable space heaters are a popular choice for warming a basement. The device may be moved about the house so that you don't waste energy heating areas that are not being used.

Propane or electricity are the two most common fuels for space heaters. Propane, which burns cleanly, is inexpensive, and efficient, has a higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning than electricity.

If you use a heater, no matter what type you choose, it's critical that you keep an eye on it and follow the right safety precautions. It should only be used in a dry, secluded area away from people, dogs, and combustible items. Using extension cords is also a bad idea.

Choosing the appropriate space heater for your man cave isn't always an easy endeavor because there are so many alternatives to select from. If you choose a low-cost or low-tech solution, you run the risk of endangering your own health and safety. You should stick with a high-quality heater that has a lot of high-tech options.


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Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Size of Your Basement

When it comes to the size of the space they can warm, space heaters have restrictions. Space heaters may not be enough if you have a huge basement. As a result, you may need to look into alternate heating choices for your home. Power consumption per square foot should be no more than 10%, on average. Space heaters with 1000 watts of power are needed for basements as small as 100 square feet. Check out our air conditioner sizing guide for more information.

Is Your Basement Insulated?

If you don't insulate your basement, it will continuously lose heat. 10 watts of power per square foot may not be sufficient in this scenario. To be on the safe side, figure on 12 watts per square foot of power use when designing your system. But the best approach is to adequately insulate your basement to restrict the exchange of conditioned air with unconditioned space. Insulation will help improve the efficiency of your basement heaters.

Heating capacity

How much of a basement can these heaters heat? It's time to weigh your options for a basement space heater and see which one offers the best performance for your needs.

For a 1,000-square-foot basement, you'll need a heating capacity of roughly 1,000W if you're using an electric heater. 25,000 to 30,000 BTUs are ideal for the same area when using a fuel-burning heater like a propane heater.

In the event of good insulation, the above-mentioned figures apply. A more powerful space heater with 1,500W or 30,000-50,000 BTUs is needed in the basement if the insulation is weak. It's a good idea to keep an eye out for information from the space heater's maker on the size of the area it can heat.

Safety features

In order to ensure the safety of you and your family, you should only use a heater that has an automatic overheat prevention mechanism, which turns down the heater when it becomes too hot.

A tip-over switch should be installed on your heater, especially if you have children or dogs, as this shuts the heater down if it is pushed over or tipped over.

Keep your hands away from the heater's housing if you're using a low-wattage electric space heater, because it can burn them if you touch it. It's best to avoid using fuel-burning heaters such as propane heaters unless they have an easily removable fuel tank, which allows you to avoid having to empty the tank while the heater is not in use.

Temperature Control

If you want to keep your basement at the right temperature, you need to be able to adjust your heater's temperature settings. When it comes to heaters, you may choose between models with dials that only go from warm to hot or those with digital thermostats that let you set the ideal temperature.

Timer

It's a good idea to buy a space heater with a timer in order to save money because it will automatically turn itself off based on the time period you select using the timer. It is possible to program most space heater timers to run for anything from one hour up to twenty-four hours.

Permanent vs. Portable

The first thing you should consider is whether you want a permanent fixture or something that can be moved to different rooms. The most important factor to consider here is how much time you anticipate spending in the lower level of your home.

Larger spaces can be heated more effectively using permanent fixtures. Some require ductwork or venting, making them more complex to install.

A permanent installation may be an option for homeowners who wish to maximize the space in their basements. The installation expenditures are still justified in the long run, and the fixture may turn out to be more cost-effective than expected.

The construction of your building must be suitable with the heater if you choose one that requires ducting. Inquire about the most cost-effective solution from a specialist.

A wall-mounted heater or a portable model is better suited for rental properties. In the event that you have to relocate, you don't have to deal with a complicated installation process.

Small households in larger homes can benefit from a portable space heater as well. Rather of wasting power in a room that isn't being used, you may simply take the device with you wherever you go.

With or Without Ductwork

Choosing between a portable and a permanent heater is closely related to this consideration. It is expensive to install ducting for a permanent fixture like a wood-burning stove or central heating in an already completed home.

You should think about adding a heating appliance in the basement if you're moving in or doing renovations. These heating systems are more efficient and, depending on the fuel source, may also be less expensive to operate.

Although ducting isn't required, there are wall-mounted solutions as well. Consider the ease with which electric baseboard heaters may be placed in a home at any time, for example.


Conclusion

To heat your finished basement, you can choose from a variety of the best space heaters on the market. Your heating needs and the size of your basement are the two most important factors to consider.

There is just one winner here, and it's the most well-rounded electric heater on the list: Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater by Dr Infrared. Furthermore, when it comes to a fuel-burning space heater, the Comfortbilt Pellet Stove HP22 is the clear winner due to its outstanding heating capability.

Hope this guide has helped you find the proper heater for your basement based on what you've learned here. Your opinion matters, so please tell me which of the aforementioned products is your favorite and why.


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