Cove Heaters: Pros and Cons

Women wrapped in warm jacket and blanket
  • 3-8 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 100-700

Cove heaters heat objects and people rather than the air, like conventional heaters. That results in unique benefits that you can only get by using a cove heater, but it also has its share of drawbacks.

Pros of Cove Heaters

Homeowners are installing cove heaters because of the following for several reasons. You can install it anywhere, and often it's on the wall, just below the ceiling. You don't have to wait for an entire room to heat up, because the heat targets you. They are space saving solutions, because they can be mounted away from furniture and don't take up floor space.

It stays out of the reach of children and pets. They reduce energy bills. It's an energy efficient alternative to baseboard heaters, and you could save anywhere from 10 to 20 percent using a cove heater instead of a baseboard or space heater.

Cons of Cove Heaters

Not everyone is sold on the use of cove heaters for several reasons. The heat source is high in the air and may not warm you up enough. You'll have to sit directly under it to get the most benefit. It tends to heat objects up slowly. You are unable to combine it with air conditioning. If you tend to keep your air conditioning separate from your heating, the last disadvantage doesn't matter. Cove heaters vary in capacity and price. The best way to make your decision is carefully read all reviews about the one you want to buy.