A space heater warms one room of your home when the furnace stops during a long power outage or winter storm. It keeps your family warm and safe from the cold while you shelter in place for days or weeks.
An emergency space heater has to run when the grid does not, so choose the fuel first and the features second. Heat one room well and gather the family there.
- Fuel source: Pick an indoor-safe propane heater for outages, or an electric model only if you have a generator or power station that can carry its load.
- Heat output: Match the rating to one closed room, roughly 4,000 to 9,000 BTU for a bedroom or living room.
- Safety shutoffs: Look for a low-oxygen sensor and a tip-over switch that cut the heat automatically.
- Indoor rating: Choose a model labeled for indoor use and pair it with a battery carbon monoxide alarm in the same room.
- Fuel storage: Stock sealed propane cylinders, which keep for years, and store them outdoors or in a detached shed.
