Best Forced Air Heaters in Canada in 2022 | Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
What is the best forced air heater? The most important things to consider include amperage, maximum temperature, BTU, and the volume of space it can heat per time unit. However, you should better opt for a model powered by electricity because it is safer than propane forced air heaters. Adjustability and safety features, such as proper shielding, housing, and tip-over protection, are also essential. And finally, you should choose devices manufactured by a trusted and brand-name company to make sure that the product is really quality and reliable.
In your home, you probably have solid central heat already in place, but what about your garage/shed/workshop? How long has it been since you bought a space heater for these locations? Because if it’s been a long time, you might be surprised by the innovations made in the past few decades. You probably think your old space heater was built when they built things to last, and that it’ll outlast you.
Forced air heaters can work in a few ways. Most of them made in modern times are electric, though there have been forced air heaters that burn propane or kerosene (these are very rare these days). Most forced air heaters use a strong fan to pull air in and blow the heated air out forcefully and rapidly, at a distance. These are sometimes also called “blowers”, though that term actually refers to just high-powered air movers, not heaters.
With propane or gas heaters, the projection of the hot air is done by the force of the gas burning, pushing the air out almost like a very low-powered rocket booster. These are sometimes (especially modernly) classified as a different type of heater, but at one point, they weren’t, and some still don’t classify them differently.
Generally speaking, the electric solution is now your best bet unless you’re somewhere without power, which is relatively unlikely. If you’re in an isolated cabin in the woods, chances are you’d be hard-pressed to haul the fuel for an incendiary heater, or the heater itself out there.
More likely in this case, you’re using wood-burning for heat, or you have a generator with significant reserves with which to power either small central heat or an electric forced air heater. Why are you in the middle of frozen-over nowhere, by the way? Who does that in this century, and why?
Electric is a lot safer (though it’s not completely hazard-proof), a lot more efficient these days, and much faster. Since it’s using electricity, it usually has an easy method to power a high-volume blower component as well, and electricity is much easier to control on a more precise level of setting.
How does an electric forced air heater work? It’s actually pretty simple. When electricity is sent through materials like tungsten or graphite (heating elements in most electric heaters are a polymer blend of these), it excites the material in a resistive manner, the excess energy shed as powerful heat.
Variations use ceramics (though these aren’t as common for forced air heat like this), which are a more resistive material by nature, but which don’t get as tactilely hot and are thus safer. Ceramics are powerful, but not as immediate or intense, thus making them less common (for now) with forced air.
Infrared forced air heat also does exist, but again, isn’t as common due to how fragile and how inefficient IR is compared to just plain heating element approaches. Now, while this old-fashioned heating element approach is … old fashioned … it’s gotten much more efficient with materials and controller circuitry, getting more heat out of a joule of energy than they once did, and with the elements lasting longer, and better technologies for overall safety.
Most heaters of this type will list specifications such as amperage, maximum temperature, BTU (British Thermal Unit, the base unit of heat output needed to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree F at sea level), the volume of space it can heat per time unit, and so on.
Obviously, you want the best amount of heat per amp/joule/watt of power used, which will be listed in specifications. You also want as much adjustability as possible, and important safety features like proper shielding/housing, tip-over protection among other things.
Okay, I’m not really going to get into this in detail because it’s complicated, and for all my research, thermodynamics and fluid dynamics (which play factors in this) aren’t my fields and I don’t understand them and I promise without a lot of research, few people would.
All I can really say is, know the volume of space in your shop, and the rate of air loss through open windows, opening and closing doors, insulation and so on, for adjustments.
Then take the amount of heat/volume the specifications say the heater outputs per time, multiply that by your volume, and subtract those losses you might have, and you have a rough estimate.
It is possible to be more precise, but you need someone who’s an expert in this field to properly calculate this. It’s very complicated, and the rough basic estimate I gave you will be good enough for most people.
Best Forced Air Heaters Compared
1. DeWalt | Best Electric Forced Air Heater
This is the quintessential forced-air electric heater in pretty much every way. This isn’t the absolute top of the line in price or engineering, but it’s good enough. More than good enough, really. DeWalt isn’t a “cheap tool” company, but they’re an “affordable tool” company, for sure. They’re at the higher end of everyday product price ranges.
DeWalt has a pretty good reputation, to be honest. They’re not my go-to for a saw or a drill, but they’re my go-to for a space heater like this. My grandpa had a heater a lot like this when I was a kid, though it wasn’t the same brand, and it was a bigger, older, clunkier take on the idea. I have fond memories of visiting him for a couple of days on Christmas at his farm near Aspen. Playing in the snow as he worked in his shop on restoring some old car, that crazy forced air heater running full-blast in there.
This is the same tech, compacted and refined, and I can tell you, it’ll heat a space quickly.
Features
- Power Source: Electricity
- Thermal Shielding: Yes.
- Loudness: Average.
- Temperature Range: 25F-95F (maintained by elemental cycling).
- Weight: 35lbs.
Performance
I can very safely say this is a reliable heater, as I have one much like this myself, too. It doesn’t have to work as hard in a Florida winter, but it still has to fill a space to a temperature. It does this very well.
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Conclusion
Honestly, this heater is worth the money, and I highly recommend it.
DeWalt: Check the current price
2. Mr. Heater | Best Propane Forced Air Heater
This is a propane heater, as like we said, there do exist non-electrical ones, they’re just not quite as common anymore.
However, this Mr. Heater is a powerful, very efficient, and mostly very safe propane heater that uses combustive force to move the air. It’s quieter than an electric blower, sounding like loud air conditioning or just a strong sharp wind.
My grandpa had something like this for his main garage, so I have memories of his propane heater while playing in the snow too. I remember the propane heater fascinating me because I was a terrifying child that adored fire.
Features
- Power Source: Propane.
- Thermal Shielding: Yes.
- Loudness: Average.
- Temperature Range: 75-125,000 BTU
- Weight: 3lbs.
Performance
Gas can be dangerous, let’s just remember that. And, this is an incendiary device, which means there are sparks and flames, which can be very, very dangerous if you’re doing things that make a lot of questionable fumes.
However, you’re independent of power, which can be handy, and your actual power supply is a fairly cheap fuel source as well.
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Conclusion
If you don’t have power where you’re located, or you don’t want to put a strain on the power supply there, this is definitely worth considering.
Mr. Heater: Check the current price
Best-Selling Forced Air Heaters in Canada | Comparative Table
Most Popular Electric Forced Air Heater
Comfort Zone CZ220 5,000W, Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater with Dual Knob Controls
- SPACE-SAVING DESIGN: The fan-forced heater is designed for ceiling mounting and hard-wired installation, which saves valuable floor space in a packed warehouse, garage, or storage area.
- DURABLE STEEL CONSTRUCTION: The body of the commercial heater is crafted from heavy-gauge steel, which stands up well to the temperature fluctuations in areas that are poorly insulated.
- TARGETED HEATING: Louvers and a variable mounting angle direct airflow where it is needed most, while the fan-forced design helps to distribute it throughout the room.
- CONVENIENT CONTROLS: The dual knob thermostat allows you to easily adjust the temperature to just the right level for your space and to turn the ceiling mount heater on and off quickly.
- SMART SAFETY FEATURES: A built-in sensor switches the device off automatically if it overheats, while a power indicator light ensures that you know when the unit is in use.
Mr. Heater F270270 MH75KTR Contractor 75,000-BTU Forced-Air Kerosene Heater
- Operates approximately 11 hours on a full tank
- Offers fixed heat output of 75,000 BTU's
- Constructed of rugged, durable steel and has a heavy-duty high output fan
- Provides instant heat that is economical, efficient
- Includes thermostat, lighted on/off switch, fuel gauge, six-function LED diagnostics
- 75,000-btu forced-air kerosene heater for up to 1,750 square feet
- 6-gallon fuel tank provides up to 11 hours of heat; adjustable thermostat
- High-output fan; no-flame and over-heat safety sensors with auto shut-off
- Power indicator light; fuel gauge; easy-off gas cap; cord storage; carrying handle
- Measures approximately 14 by 32-2/3 by 17-2/7 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Forced Air Kerosene Heaters Compared
If you are looking for a high-output heater, look for the Mr. Heater Forced Air Kerosene Heater. Perfect for heating a garage or large working space, it features fully enclosed motors, large controls, and overheat safety shutoff. The 120,000BTU heater runs seamlessly under extremely low temperatures and heats more than 3,000 square feet.
Designed with an 8.5-gallon fuel tank, the machine operates for up to 9 hours. The main advantage of this model is that it is simply packed with features, such as troubleshooting diagnostics with a LED indicator, air pressure gauge, an on/off switch fuel gauge, steel drain plug, a thermostat, and more. Another thing that favorably distinguishes this model from others on the market is its wheeled design with 10-inch pneumatic tires.
When compared to the Dyna-Glo Forced Air Heater, there is no significant difference. But Dyna-Glo has a wider range of forced air heaters of 50,000 BTU, 70,000 BTU and up to 400,000 BTU Kerosene Forced Air Heater that can heat up to 8,500 square feet.
The Dyna-Glo models offer higher, up to 29-gallon fuel capacity. Like the Mr. Heater model, the Dyna-Glo Forced-Air Heater contains a thermostat, built-in diagnostics, an air pressure gauge, and wheels for easy transportation. All in all much depends on your needs. For large commercial-scale projects, the Dyna-Glo option may be a better choice, but, typically, the Mr. Heater model does the job well when it comes to large areas.
Dyna-Glo has a wide range of forced air heaters of 50,000 BTU, 70,000 BTU and up to 400,000 BTU Kerosene Forced Air Heater that can heat up to 8,500 square feet.
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Other Popular
Sunnydaze 125,000 BTU Forced Air Propane Heater - Portable Heat for Construction Sites - Auto-Shutoff for...
- KEEP THE COLD AWAY: Overall heater is 9 inches wide x 20.5 inches deep x 15 inches tall; Weighs 15.2 pounds; Cylinder is 8.5 inches diameter x 20.5 inches long; Base is 9 inches wide x 8.25 inches deep x 5 inches tall; Handle is 7.25 inches long; Power cord is 4.5 inches long; 90 watts; 1.6 amps; 115 volts; Hose is 0.75 inches diameter; Provides optimal heat for up to 1080 square feet
- IDEAL DURING THE WINTER: The product includes 1 forced air propane heater, regulator and 10-foot hose; Heater is designed to be operated with a minimum 20-pound propane tank (please note, propane tank and fuel are not included with the heater and must be purchased separately); Two or more tanks or one larger tank may be needed in colder weather; A 100-pound tank is recommended for longer operation
- DESIGNED FOR PORTABILITY: Lightweight, this heater features a convenient handle that makes it easy to carry around where the warmth is needed most; Recommended for use in well-ventilated indoor areas for safety; Whether it is being used indoors or outdoors, never leave this heater unattended; Features piezo ignition
- WORKS GREAT FOR CONSTRUCTION: Keep the Jobsite toasty when the temperatures cool down with this heater; Handy to have when working on a home remodel in the winter, fall or early spring
- WORRY-FREE PURCHASING: Sunnydaze Decor backs its products with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty
COSTWAY Propane Heater, 60000 BTU Propane Forced Air Heater, Heat Output, Overheat & Cut-off Protection, Portable...
- Excellent Heating Performance-----Our propane forced air heater has two levels of heating output options, and its powerful oxygen supply completely burns the fuel for rapid heating. Due to its excellent heating performance, the heating space can reach 2195 sq ft.
- Auto-ignition Design & Over-heat Protection-----The cut-off protection and air-heating design of the portable propane heater make the start-up safer and efficiently prevent the release of liquefied gas into the air. In addition, the overheat protection function can turn off the propane air heater in time, ensuring its long service life.
- Durable Materials & Low Noise----- The air heater's outer casing is made of premium metal that is resistant to high temperatures, corrosion and rust. And CSA certification ensures the quality and long-time service life of the heater and your safety as well. Besides, during operation, the noise is only 63DB, which is quieter than other heaters.
- Easy to Carry & Clean-----The propane heater is equipped with a handle for easy handling, carrying and transport. The 12.5 lbs weight allows you to carry it to any desired location, and the compact size does not take up extra space. In addition, it can be easily wiped with a damp cloth to keep it clean.
- Suitable for Various Occasions-----This powerful propane forced air heater can be used in many places to bring enough heat, such as ventilated warehouses, open barn, garages, workshops, construction sites, etc. Equipped with a 10 feet hose, it can be used more than just around the corner.
Pros & Cons of Forced Air Heaters: When and Why to Use Them
Given there are hundreds of ways to artificially heat a space, you may be wondering exactly when these heaters are more ideal than other options. And, what are the positives and drawbacks of these?
Well, the pros are they’re mostly portable, albeit they tend to be a bit big and heavy, comparatively speaking. They can be set up readily anywhere with power, which makes them very ideal for things like when you need to warm up a barn, a workshop, a shed, a construction site or the like.
These are not ideal for homes. They can be used in emergencies if the central heating fails, or for brief heating of attic spaces or the like, but you don’t want to rely on these for home heating. There are dangers, they’re loud, and they’re not efficient for home use long-term.
Pros of Forced Air Heaters
- They’re powerful and pretty fast at heating a space.
- They’re moveable, meaning anywhere with power or their fuel source can be heated.
- They’re fairly efficient and safe as these things go, these days.
- They’re surprisingly affordable for what you get out of them.
- They’re rugged, designed with construction sites and workshop environments in mind.
- They offer a lot of control on airpower, heat, and some even have automated thermostats and the like for pretty precise usage and control.
Cons of Forced Air Heaters
- These have gotten efficient as these things can, but that doesn’t mean they’re the most efficient thing for many spaces. Commercial and business spaces, residential spaces and the like aren’t well-served by these.
- They’re loud. It’s a blower with heating components. How loud are blowers? That’s how loud these are too. The technology’s gotten quieter, but only quieter by blower standards.
- There are dangers involved with these. They can’t be close to flammable things or have their intakes blocked, lest fires or overheating occur. If it tips over, it can ignite if left in such a state and there is no kick-off when it’s tipped.
- They’re pretty heavy, so don’t expect them to be breezy to carry around.
- They’re affordable by the standards of this kind of thing, but still, expect to pay a price for a good one.
- Cord dependency produces some trip hazards and nuisance wrangling said cords.
Safety Precautions
Now, these things are mostly safe, they really are. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t cases where they could be quite dangerous.
- Always make sure the air intake is unobstructed, and keep it clean of dust and debris. This prevents wearing the fan down, overheating the core, and possibly starting a fire.
- Never gave this backed up against furniture or walls, either end. It could still cause damage to the machine, the things it’s next to, etc.
- Be very aware of cords. These will run cords, so tape them down or make sure they’re easy to spot and easy to step over.
- Never leave one of these running for long periods of time without someone keeping an eye on them. Just like with your oven or stove, this is just a bad idea.
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