What Is a Space Heater? Is It the Right Fit for Your Home in 2025?

As energy costs rise and winters grow colder, many US homeowners are exploring alternatives to central heating. One of the most common solutions is the space heater—but not all space heaters work the same way. 

Understanding how different types operate can help you decide whether a space heater is the right fit for your home and which option offers the best balance of comfort, efficiency, and cost.

What Is a Space Heater?

A space heater is a portable or fixed electric heating device designed to warm a single room or specific area rather than an entire home. 

Space heaters are often used to supplement central heating, reduce energy use, or provide targeted warmth in rooms that are used most frequently.

Traditional space heaters usually rely on convection heating, which warms the air and circulates it around the room. 

While this approach can be effective, it often leads to uneven temperatures, longer warm-up times, and higher energy consumption.

Modern space heaters, particularly infrared models like Kelvin, take a very different approach.

How Infrared Space Heaters Work

Infrared heating systems are transforming home heating across the US thanks to their efficiency, instant warmth, and potential energy savings of up to 30%. Instead of heating the air, infrared panels such as Kelvin emit far-infrared heat that directly warms people, furniture, and surfaces.

This process closely mimics the natural warmth of a fireplace or the sun’s rays. 

Once objects absorb the heat, they slowly release it back into the room, creating a comfortable and balanced environment without the need for constant energy use.

Why Choose an Infrared Space Heater?

Infrared heating is widely considered one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat a room. Because warmth is delivered directly to occupants and surfaces, rooms feel comfortable at a lower temperature. 

In many cases, you can reduce the temperature by a few degrees while maintaining the same level of warmth.

Key benefits of infrared space heaters include:

1. High heating efficiency

Infrared heaters, like Kelvin, target objects and people rather than the air. Once warmth is absorbed, it is retained and gradually released, keeping rooms warmer for longer. 

This efficient cycle can reduce overall energy consumption by up to 30%.

2. Instant heat

Unlike convection heaters that need time to warm the air, infrared heaters provide immediate warmth as soon as they are switched on. 

This rapid heat-up time means the heater runs for shorter periods, further reducing energy usage.

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3. Even heat distribution

Traditional heaters often cause warm air to rise, leaving floors cold and creating uncomfortable hot and cold spots. 

Infrared heating warms surfaces evenly throughout the space, delivering consistent comfort from floor to ceiling.

4. Improved air quality

Because infrared heaters do not circulate air, they do not spread dust or allergens. This makes them a strong choice for people with allergies, asthma, or respiratory sensitivities. 

The dry heat also helps reduce dampness and lowers the risk of mould growth.

Is a Space Heater Right for Your Home?

A space heater can be an excellent solution if you want to heat specific rooms rather than your entire home, reduce reliance on central heating, or gain more control over energy usage.

Infrared space heaters are especially well suited to bedrooms, home offices, living rooms, and spaces that are used intermittently.

For homeowners looking for efficiency, comfort, and long-term savings, modern infrared space heaters offer significant advantages over traditional electric heaters.

Kelvin Infrared Heater: A Smarter Kind of Space Heater

The Kelvin smart electric infrared heater takes the concept of a space heater to the next level. Designed for modern homes and workplaces, Kelvin combines infrared heating efficiency with advanced smart features to maximise comfort and energy savings.

Controlled through the Boldr Energy app, Kelvin allows users to optimise heating performance remotely, making it suitable for homes, offices, and specialised environments such as yoga studios.

Key Benefits of the Kelvin Infrared Heater

1. Cost-effective heating

Kelvin operates up to 30% more efficiently than traditional electric heaters, translating directly into lower energy bills and a more sustainable heating solution.

2. Smart control via the Boldr Energy app

Users can adjust temperatures, monitor energy usage, and create heating schedules from their smartphone. This level of control makes it easy to stay warm without wasting energy.

3. Plug-and-play convenience

Kelvin requires no complex installation and runs from a standard mains socket. It includes a wireless smart thermostat, Shelly, ensuring quick and simple setup.

4. Maintenance-free design

With no moving parts, Kelvin is virtually maintenance-free. Regular software updates continue to improve performance and efficiency over time.

Smart Home Ready

Kelvin integrates seamlessly with Alexa, HomeKit, SmartThings, Google Home and Google Assistant, allowing hands-free voice control as part of a smart home system. 

Conclusion

So, is a space heater the right fit for your home? If you’re looking for targeted warmth, better energy control, and lower heating costs, the answer is yes—especially when that space heater uses infrared technology.

The Kelvin infrared heater combines efficient, natural warmth with smart controls and modern design. 

With features like smart zoning, remote access, and real-time energy monitoring, Kelvin offers a comfortable and cost-effective way for US homeowners to stay warm while reducing energy use by up to 30%.