Is It Better To Use a Space Heater or Turn Up Your Thermostat?

Keeping a home warm through winter’s icy chills can be expensive. Energy prices continue to rise, and natural gas costs have soared particularly high in recent years. These higher costs may lead you to wonder about the most efficient way to heat your home.

Many people debate whether it’s better to use a space heater to warm individual rooms or rely on central heating with a thermostat. While both have benefits, central heat is generally a better choice. Read on to settle the central heating vs. space heater debate for yourself.

Space heater vs. central heat

If your goal is to heat an entire house, central heat is more efficient, according to Mikelann Scerbo. Scerbo is a research manager for the Alliance to Save Energy, a bipartisan nonprofit coalition of business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders advancing federal energy efficiency policy.

Are space heaters energy-efficient?

When choosing between a space heater and a thermostat, electric space heaters are generally less efficient than HVAC systems. Most space heaters run on electricity, while most home furnaces run on natural gas.

Is It cheaper to run space heaters or central air?

Electricity is usually more expensive than natural gas, so a gas furnace is also more cost-efficient overall. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of residential electricity in November 2024 was 17.60 cents per kilowatt-hour. Natural gas, on the other hand, averaged $1.487 per therm.

“Buying a space heater for every room would increase the electricity bill more than if you had just bumped up the thermostat,” Scerbo says.

Space heater pros and cons

Space heaters come with several advantages and disadvantages worth considering as you weigh your options for heating your home. Here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision.

Benefits of using a space heater

A space heater could be a good fit for those looking to heat just one room, especially if the central heating system is very old and inadequate. “Ideally, you would be able to turn down the thermostat, letting the other rooms get a little cooler while you are comfortable in the space-heated room,” Scerbo explains.

Central heat is the most efficient way to keep everyone comfortable across multiple rooms in a house. However, a single person at home all day can turn down the central heat and use a space heater for one room at a time, such as a home office. This gives you more flexibility and temperature control options for home heating.

Downsides of using a space heater

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, roughly 1,700 fires each year are linked to space heaters and other portable heating devices. For safety reasons, it’s important to plug an electric space heater directly into the wall, not an extension cord or power strip. The safest units also incorporate a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts them off if they get knocked over.

There is little research on just how low the thermostat can go when a space heater takes up the slack. The answer likely depends on the size of the room you’re heating and the power output of your space heater. If the room you choose to heat with a space heater accounts for more than half the size of your house, you are better off with central heat.

Comparing types of space heaters

If you are considering a space heater, be sure to research your options. Not all space heaters are equally safe and efficient. Electric space heaters are the only types that are safe to use indoors without installing a flue for ventilation, and they can still be a fire hazard.

There are two primary types of space heaters — radiant heaters and convection heaters. While most space heaters are electric, not all electric heaters are space heaters. When it comes to space heaters vs. electric heaters, some electric heaters include baseboards, which are a type of fixed heater. With this in mind, here’s a breakdown of the most common types of electric space heaters.

Radiant heaters

Radiant heaters emit infrared radiation that heats up whatever is closest to the unit. In other words, the radiant heater will point toward you to provide heat. This type of heater presents a greater fire or burn hazard than other space heaters as it can get quite hot to the touch.

Convection heaters

Convection heaters circulate warm air using fans, ceramic plates, oil, or a combination. This circulation sends hot air to the ceiling, pushing cooler air downwards. Oil-filled convection heaters are especially efficient because they retain heat for longer periods of time, but they get hot to the touch and don’t warm the room immediately.

Combination heaters

Some space heaters combine features from radiant and convection heaters to give you the best of both worlds. These combination heaters have a heating element and a fan.

“Ideally, choose one with a thermostatically controlled heater to avoid overheating and wasting energy,” Scerbo advises. “Convection space heaters are better if you want to feel comfortable within an entire room, whereas radiant space heaters can work well if you only want to heat up a specific spot in a room.”

How much electricity will a space heater use?

When purchasing a new space heater, consider how much electricity it consumes. The energy consumption of space heaters varies widely by model, so some space heaters are more energy efficient than others.

Some space heaters use as little as 400 watts, while others use up to 1,500 watts. A 750-watt electric heater uses 750 watts of power per hour regardless of whether it is a radiant, ceramic, oil-filled, bare metal coil, or other type of space heater. A 1,500-watt heater will use twice the energy of a 750-watt heater and cost twice as much to operate, but it will also heat your space more effectively.

Energy-saving tips for heating your home

Regardless of which type of heater you use, a well-insulated home will stay warmer and cost less to heat. If your home is not well insulated, some of the money you spend to stay warm will escape through the cracks.

“The most efficient way to improve the comfort, health, and safety of the home is to properly insulate it and seal air leaks,” says Gwen Brown, communications director of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, which promotes the adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency.

Brown says some energy customers may benefit from the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, or WAP, which helps low-income families lower heating costs.

Additionally, you can maximize the warmth from a space heater by closing the door of any room you’re using it in. This allows warm air to build up and heat the entire room.

“Closing the door of the room would definitely help with a space heater, so long as the door doesn’t somehow obstruct the venting system,” Scerbo says.

Other tips to help keep warm

There are other ways to maximize the heat in your home while saving energy. Try out these tips to heat your home:

• On sunny days, open the curtains or blinds of south-facing windows to allow radiant heat from the sun.
• Make energy-efficient upgrades to your home, including switching to double-pane windows, installing weather strips under doors, and adding window film.
• Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise in the winter to help pull cooler air up and force warm air down, whether from a space heater or central heat.
• Finally, heat yourself with layers. Wool socks, a sweater, or a blanket will make it easier to lower the thermostat without sacrificing comfort.

Space heater vs. thermostat: which is the right choice?

When comparing space heaters and thermostats, there’s a lot to consider. The right choice depends on the size of your home, the efficiency of your central heating, and how many rooms you’re trying to keep warm. If you do opt to use a space heater, follow safety recommendations from government agencies and the manufacturer.