Energy Standards for Cove Heaters

Energy Use

• A cove heater usually has a heating power of 150 watts per foot, which gives 500 Btu per hour per foot, according to Reliant Energy Retail Holdings. You can control each heater individually, which allows you to turn off a heater in a room that's not being used, to conserve energy. Cove heaters operate with their own individual thermostats so you can set each unit to maintain a certain temperature.

Heating

• A cove heater requires no ventilation to operate safely, which means that heat won't be lost when it's traveling through a duct system. It's flameless and doesn't emit fumes. Its heat flows outward and is readily absorbed by furnishings and other surfaces that continue to help produce heat once warmed. The cove heater provides an energy efficient way to heat your home, if you diligently lower the heater's thermostat in rooms you don't use.

Appearance

• Cove heaters come in a wide array of colors to effectively match various wall surfaces. They mount almost flush to the wall, which makes them virtually unnoticeable. Most cove heater types are mounted high on the wall, close to the ceiling. Some cove heaters plug into an outlet and can be safely mounted beneath a table or desk. They range in size from 3 to 11 inches long.

Considerations

• Heat rises, so the warmth that a cove heater produces usually stays near the ceiling, while the area near the floor remains relatively cooler. Some people find the uneven distribution of heat uncomfortable. If you don't remember to turn the cove heater off or reduce the heat in a room you're not using, your energy bill may become high and the heater can lose its energy efficiency benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.