Whenever’s there a chill in the air or a draft through the nursery, you want to be sure to tuck your baby into a warm and cozy place. It’s not just about the temperature; it also sometimes about a good sleep.
A chilly temperature could wake up the little one many times during the night, which just leads to sleepless, cold winter nights.
For babies, using the right heater is matter of their safety and health. This article will help you choose a good heater and learn how to stay safe.
Read on to find out more!
Quick Comparison of the Best Baby Room Heaters
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What to Look For When Buying a Space Heater For a Nursery
Heaters warm up the space and at the same time spike the electricity bill upon usage. So, it is important to evaluate them based on energy efficiency, functionalities and safety parameters. You can use the following checklist.
Safety Features
This is the most important factor if you are using for your baby’s room. Recognized testing labs such as UL (Underwriters Laboratory), ETL (Intertek), or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) validate that the heater meets voluntary safety standards.
Technology
Convection heating is the most common type for whole single rooms. Ceramic heaters are also convection heaters. Radiant heaters are good for spot heating while convection heaters take time to heat the space. Infrared space heaters are also radiant heaters that use infrared quartz bulbs as heating agents. Micathermic heaters are hybrid models that combine both convection and radiant heating.
Design
Space heaters come in different styles which come features to save space, easy installation, reduce noise and achieve a specific purpose. Floor heaters have vertical, space-saving design and are portable and compact. Personal heaters heat small spaces in a focused manner and are meant for specific needs. For your baby’s room choose something that won’t tip over.
Heater Size And Heating Capacity
The size of the heater is directly related to its heating capacity. Check for efficient heater designs to help keep the electricity bills low. Approximately 10 watts of heating power is used for every square foot. This means you can expect a 1500 watt heater to be enough for a 150-square-foot space. Get the desired heater size and capacity for your baby’s room here.
Noise Levels
It’s a fact that most heaters with fans are noisier than those without fans. Fanless heaters have silent operation. Micathermic heaters are the quietest heaters among the various types.
Price
Your baby’s comfort and safety is priceless. But when making a choice between equally competitive options, price can be a deciding factor.
Don’t look just at the cost of purchasing the heater. The life expectancy of the heater, how much fuel or electricity it might use and possible installation charges for some types should all be factored in. Here is an equation that will help determine daily operational cost:
Kilowatts Per Hour x Electricity Rate x Operating Time = Daily Operational Cost
You may also use the calculator here:
Other features that need your attention are the thermostat, remote control, timer, power cord, auto-shutoff, handle and blades.
In Hurry? Here is Our Top Pick:
Honeywell HZ-7300 Deluxe Heater
Top of the line safety standards: tip-over switch, overheat protection and cool to the touch
Two settings (heat & fan) with auto or continuous air circulation
Backed by a 3-year warranty
Best baby room heater with all of the needed safety measures
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Space Heaters For Nursery
- OUR TOP PICK: Honeywell HZ-7300 Deluxe Heater
- SAFEST SPACE HEATER FOR NURSERY: Vornadobaby Tempa Nursery Heater
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Honeywell HCE200W UberHeat Ceramic Heater
Review of the Best Space Heaters For a Nursery
Not just any space heaters will be the best for your baby’s room. We’ve reviewed here some models that will help meet the needs of your baby.
Best Overall
Honeywell HZ-7300 Deluxe Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A
Power (watts): 1500
Dimensions: 11.34×8.15×12.91″
Weight: 5 pounds
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Review
This oscillating heater has a programmable thermostat and two heat settings. It has good safety features including tip-over protection, shut-off protection, and cool-to-touch housing. The Digital Energy Smart Technology indicates energy usage to increase efficiency.
Bottom Line
While you need to understand the warranty fully, this small heater is great for a baby’s room. With excellent safety features, this heater doesn’t pose a danger to your child and creates a comfortable temperature for them to relax in.
Pros
Wide Oscillation to Cover a Big Room
Relatively Efficient and Doesn’t Gobble Energy
Safety Features Make This Ideal for a Baby’s Room
Two Heat Settings and a Programmable Thermostat for More Comfortable Operation
Cons
Quite loud, Which Could Wake a Baby
Warranty Has Some Small Print You Need to Read
Safest Space Heater for Nursery
Vornadobaby Tempa Nursery Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): 100
Power (watts): N/A
Dimensions: 7.5×10.1×10.9″
Weight: 5.34 pounds
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Review
Designed specifically for nurseries and children’s bedrooms, this heater circulates heat gently to stay quiet. It has two heat settings, fan settings, and features advanced safety settings. It has a child-lock and cord storage and comes complete with a 5-year guarantee.
Bottom Line
With excellent safety features, despite the minor irritation of them, this model is perfectly designed as a baby’s room heater. With quiet airflow, multiple temperature settings, and safety at the back of your mind, you and your baby can sleep easy.
Pros
Gentle Circulation Keeps This Model Quiet
Dual Heat Settings and Fan Settings Make This an All-Year-Round Product
Cord Storage Prevents Toddlers From Pulling the Plug Out of the Wall or Tripping Over It
Excellent Safety Features Including Child Locks, Tip-Over Shut-Off, Overheat Protection and Cool-Touch Housing
Cons
Safety Lock is Annoying
You Need to Be Careful of Your Child Changing the Temperature
Best for the Money
Honeywell HCE200W UberHeat Ceramic Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A
Power (watts): 1500
Dimensions: 6.8×8.0x9.0″
Weight: 3 pounds
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Review
This heater has 1500 watts of power and comes with two heat settings. There is a programmable thermostat, while the settings are cool-to-the-touch. This includes a 3-year warranty.
Bottom Line
Though it takes a little time to get going, this heater has adjustable settings and a thermostat to make your baby’s sleep experience a little better. The safety features are great and you can move this heater around without bother.
Pros
Easy to Carry and Move Around
Surprisingly Powerful for Such a Small Device
Cool-Touch, Overheat Protection, and Tip-Over Shut-Off are Great Safety Features for a Baby’s Room
Variable Heat Setting Includes an Adjustable Thermostat Allow a Constant and Comfortable Temperature for Your Child
Cons
A Little Noisy
You Have to Be Quite Close to Feel the Full Warmth
Best Silent Heater For a Baby Room
Dyson AM09 Fan Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A
Power (watts): N/A
Dimensions: 8.03×6.02×23.4″
Weight: 5.91 pounds
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Review
The Dyson AM09 projects heating or cooling into the room quickly and evenly for a comfortable environment. It uses Dyson’s patented air multiplier technology.
The intelligent thermostat can save energy and be programmed to reach and maintain your selected temperature in heat mode.
It is considered safe for kids and pets as it does not have blades, no heating elements that are exposed and it automatically shuts off when tipped over. Temperature settings are between 33F to 99F degrees.
The unit is available in black or gray.
Pros
This model by Dyson is one of the quietest heaters in their production line
Cons
Expensive compared to the other models we’ve reviewed
Best Low-Watt Heater For Nursery
Vornado ATH1 Tower Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A
Power (watts): 1500
Dimensions: 7.88×5.49×20.0″
Weight: 5.35 pounds
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What Recent Buyers Report
The unit has been regarded as an energy-efficient one by numerous recent users. The heat distribution of the Vornado ATH1 Tower Heater is widely appreciated due to the even airflow. It is a unit that provides great value for money because of the features it possesses at such an affordable price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Lowering the main central heating system’s temperature to heat up just one room is an idea many people opt for to save up on the utility cost. The Vornado ATH1 Tower Heater is a perfect option for this purpose. It also has V-flow heat circulation, two heat-control settings, and a five-year warranty to back their claims of high quality.
Bottom Line
In short, this unit has a number of decent features and can help save up money if you’re looking for an affordable unit that does the job. Plus, it comes with a five-year warranty, which can help you cover the cost in case there’s any malfunction.
Pros
A five-year limited warranty
Ultimate tip-over and overheat protection
Designed to meet US voltage requirements
Two heat-control settings from touch-sensitive controls
Balanced heating across the room with signature V-flow heat circulation
Cons
No delay timer can be a bit annoying
Multiple customer complaints regarding the quality
Nikko Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A
Power (watts): 1500
Dimensions: 8.0×8.0x11.0″
Weight: 3.94 pounds
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Review
The Nikko 168 heater has a high-powered fan and a ceramic heating element that delivers high warmth. The 1500-Watt ceramic heater delivers a room temperature up to 120F degrees.
It has three heat settings and one fan speed with a quiet motor. It has all the features that makes it safe for a baby’s room, like overheat shut-off protection, tip-over protection, a removable dust filter to keep it clean and rear-cool touch housing.
Pros
Has passed the safety test by UL, making it safer for a baby’s room
Cons
Not many complaints that we could find. However, you can get unlucky if you get a noisy, rattling piece. In general, it runs quietly, though
Keeping the Nursery Warm
For a newborn or a toddler, keeping the nursery warm is matter of good health. Keeping the baby warm is a matter of comfort, too!
Babies come with a few physical limitations that compels the parents to keep the room warm. Babies can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults and have quicker heat loss. Premature babies especially don’t have much insulating body fat. And of course, they can’t get up and grab another blanket out of the closet.
To create the right temperature, of course you’re going to dress them appropriately with a warm cap and suit with covered hands and feet. Wrapping them in a comfortable blanket also helps.
However, your baby wriggling in a bundle of thick blankets to stay warm can feel cumbersome. You don’t want to overdo it. And maybe the central heating system just doesn’t seem to do the job. A great supplement is to use a space heater.
A space heater can help keep you from having to crank the house heater up to high. And it can make sure the temperature in the room stays in the right zone, somewhere between 68° and 72° F.
Keeping the baby warm – and yourself as well while the baby shares your room – is the great benefit. But while staying warm is of importance, safety is equally important.
Staying Safe
Before considering the type of space heater you want to use, try to evaluate the airflow, direction of sunlight, window placement and placement of crib. These will help you be sure that you use the heater the right amount and at the right times.
Heaters do carry some risks. Prolonged and unmonitored use of a heater could lead to overheating of the room. That may cause dehydration and nasal congestion.
There’s also risk of burns and fire. But these threats can be avoided with due care.
Here are ways you can take due care and avoid these risks while using a heater.
Fire Hazards occur when you use a low-quality heater, or if you’re not careful in making sure to use the heater correctly. Some of these heaters also require fuel like propane with releases carbon monoxide that instigates fire.
Also, be sure the heater has an auto-shut-off mode in case someone tips over a heater.
Space heaters should be kept in a child-free, combustible-free zone of 3 feet. That means keep them out of reach of children, and don’t use them to dry clothes or as a clothes rack. Keep laundry, curtains or anything else flammable out of the way.
Space heaters should never be left unsupervised with children. They should also be regularly serviced and cleaned.
When using a space heater in a baby’s room, keep the door open slightly for ventilation.
Kerosene, Paraffin and Gas Heaters are not meant for baby rooms at all. They typically release carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless and extremely hazardous for a baby’s health.
It can leave many unwanted side-effects like headaches, lung issues, breathing trouble and so on. Gas leaks are a major threat with the use of gas heaters.
Room temperature fluctuations and overheating is another risk with space heaters. Since a baby can’t tell you they feel too hot, you need to constantly check the temperature of the room. It’s best to start with a low temperature and slowly increase it if necessary.
One of the preferred type of heaters for a baby’s room are oil-filled heaters. They help maintain the oxygen and humidity level in the air and their surface does not get as hot as some other types.
Ceiling fan heaters or cove heaters could be another safe option but they may alter the oxygen and humidity levels. You might want to check out humidifiers to help counteract the drying out of the air caused by heat.
When you pick a space heater, you want to look for its cooling ability of course, but also for the automatic shut-off feature. Also, mindful that your baby will soon be crawling and toddling, you’ll want a heater that stays cool to the touch and has closed slats.
Some aspects that you need to pay attention to while using a space heater are:
- Be sure the heater is switched off when not in use.
- Keep it out of high-traffic areas.
- Don’t overload the plug of electric heater with other appliances. Don’t use an extension cord.
- Don’t use it to dry clothes or cook food.
- Keep it away from paper and linen bedding.
- Do not leave them through the whole night.
- Get a separate thermostat alarm.
Types of Heaters
There are many types of space heaters, but only few conform to the safety needs and are comfortable for a baby’s room. Let’s have a look at them.
Oil Heaters
Oil heaters are considered to be the best bet when used for a baby’s room. They are a lot safer than coil and electric fan heaters. This is because the surface of these heaters won’t heat up as much as the others. This makes it safe for the baby to touch them without the harm of burns. They can also be programmed for auto-shut off when they are unbalanced or tip over.
These heaters do not suck up the moisture in the room. They also keep the room warm for a longer period even after they are switched off, making them more energy efficient. Many have smart thermostats to manage temperatures according to your baby’s needs.
Ceramic Fan-Forced Heaters
Though this is another form of a convection heater, the surface doesn’t warm up as much. This makes it a safe option for bedrooms with babies. They are small, portable units that come with a grill. When the child tries to wriggle a finger into it, they switch off automatically.
A drawback is that these may get noisy at times. So be careful of the model you choose for your baby’s bedroom. Some of the quiet ceramic fan-forced models are a great option, though.
Micathermic Panel Heaters
Micathermic panel heaters use 80% convection heat and 20% direct radiant heat. They are lightweight and some of them are wall-mountable. The ones that sit on the floor are not advisable for rooms with kids because the surface gets hot.
However, the wall-mounted models are a good option. They are silent and use the airflow of the room to circulate heat. Since it has no fan, it doesn’t aggravate allergies or recirculate dust in the room.
Can Any Heater Be Used in a Nursery?
A child’s comfort is the utmost priority, as any disturbance or discomfort can make the baby wake you up and cause sleepless nights. This has an effect on both the parents and the baby as the routine gets disturbed. For this purpose, a space heater with good heat circulation is an optimal choice.
Also, a nursery is a place that has to be under special supervision at all times, as any mishap cannot be afforded. Heaters are a potential source of a hazard if left unmonitored. Therefore, a certified heater with tip-over and over-heat protection should be chosen.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality Space Heater for a Baby’s Room
Everybody wants to provide their baby with a relaxing and soothing environment without being too exhausted. This has now been made easy by the technological advancements that help deliver features that can allow the user not to worry about anything.
Now, we’ll be discussing some of the features which make your space heater worth the money you spend on it.
Multiple Heat Settings
The first thing to mention is the multiple heat settings. The temperature of a room varies from day till night. At night time, you’ll need more heat as compared to day time. Heaters have different levels of settings, which allow you to set the temperature according to convenience.
Tip-Over Protection
Having a heater in a baby’s room has its own risks. Any mishap can happen due to a little negligence. Therefore, modern space heaters come with a tip-over protection feature, which halts the power supply when the unit is tilted more than 45-degrees. This increases the safety of the heater.
Overheat Protection
If you’ve had a heater in your room or even in your house, the thought of it overheating must’ve come to your mind. Fortunately, new heaters come with an overheat protection feature, which stops the unit from working when it crosses a certain temperature. This helps to maintain safety levels.
How to Babyproof a Space Heater
Babies love to poke around and explore anything and everything that comes in their sight. They like to touch it and try to play with it, without knowing what danger or harm it can cause. This is why constant vigilance is required, and they should always be under supervision.
However, this is not practically possible to monitor the child 24/7. This is why you need to baby-proof all the units and gadgets around them, especially heaters. So, here are some steps you can take to baby-proof your space heater.
- First of all, try to place the space heater in an area that is out of reach of the baby. The more it is in the baby’s reach, the more it will catch the baby’s attention.
- Secondly, you need to have a child lock over the settings panel of the heater that would stop your baby from accessing the controls, but you would easily use it. This will help you to keep your baby from making any changes to the controls.
- Buy a space heater with tip-over protection feature, which will allow the power supply to be cut down if the heater falls or is tilted at an angle of more than 45-degrees.
Conclusion
Keep your baby’s room warm with the right heater. The safety of your little one is of utmost importance. In order to save a few dollars don’t put yourself in a hazardous situation. Should you have any questions about space heaters, consult a dealer or an HVAC tech who can help point you in the right direction.
People Also Ask
Below are some common questions surrounding this topic.
The recommended temperature of a baby’s room is between 68⁰ and 72⁰F. If the room is hotter than this, the child may get sweaty, leading to medical issues. On the other hand, if the room is cooler than this, the child might not be able to sleep properly and wake up due to the chilliness.
Space heaters, as compared to other types, are not that hot. They may cause discomfort to the skin, but no actual burn is possible. This is because only hot air is being circulated, and no actual fire or other heat source is present.
If you’ve seen the different types of heaters available in the market and want to know which one is the safest option for your baby’s room, you can look for the answers to your questions below.
Space heaters that are powered by gas can pose a threat to the baby’s life since they emit carbon monoxide, which is an odorless and colorless gas but can damage your body. The baby won’t be able to let you know that there is harmful gas in the air, and this type of heater can also cause fires. Hence, space heaters are not safe in a child’s room.
It is unsafe to leave space heaters on all night, especially if it is placed near flammable items such as curtains, rugs, beds, blankets, etc. If your space heater has an automatic shut-off feature for high temperatures or tip-over protection and safety certifications, you might keep it on at night; however, it is not recommended to do so.
Gas heaters are the least recommended type of heaters that you can place in your child’s room since they can leak or emit harmful gases that are difficult to detect, and can build up in the room if the space does not have proper ventilation.
Wall heaters have the tendency to heat up the walls with high temperature, and if the toddler comes in contact with the wall, the chances are that his/her hand will get burnt. In order to avoid that, safety barriers should be built for the child.
