A toe kick heater or kick space heater is a small heating device usually concealed under cabinets or on the walls near the flow level. The defining characteristic of a toe kick heater is its low profile. The heaters are relatively small so that they remain out of the view of people around the house.
Toe kick heaters are used to provide supplemental heat in the house. It is common for people to install them in unusually cold rooms. The heaters provide additional heat to what is generated by the central heating system if you have one.
The basic principle of toe kick heaters is to take in the cold air around them, heat it, and then release it back into the surrounding areas. They have special heating coils that directly heat the air currents.
As the warm air currents are continuously released into the atmosphere, the heater’s ambient temperature rises steadily to the desired levels.
Best Electric Toe Kick Heater Comparison Table
Types of Kick Space Heaters
There are two types of kick space heaters based on the mode of heating: hydronic and electric. Hydronic kick space heaters draw heat from the hot water system.
The hot water is then pumped through the copper coils. As the coils get hot, they transfer their heat energy to the incoming air current. The small fan in the heater then pushes the warm air currents out and allows cold air currents from the nearby environment.
Electric kick space heaters directly utilize electric current to heat the air. This type of kick space heaters has aluminum heating elements that convert electric energy into heat energy.
As air currents pass through the heating element, they get heated. The warm air then is forced outside the heater into the atmosphere. This repeated process leads to a rise in the ambient temperature.
What Size of a Toe Kick Heater Do I Need?
The size of a toe kick heater that you need depends on your heating requirements. The heating range of toe kick heaters is determined by its design, the quality of the heating element, and the fan’s power.
Some toe kick heaters are designed to heat as small areas as 100 square feet. Other space heaters with powerful performance features can rapidly provide and maintain warmth in areas that measure up to 150 square feet.
In general, a heater that is rated 1,500W can effectively warm spaces that measure up to 150 square feet. However, in practice, this general rule does not always apply.
Some kick space heaters that are rated 1000W can provide sufficient warmth for a 150 square feet area. The size of a kick space heater that you need for your room depends on the space’s conditions and size.
Are Toe Kick Heaters Efficient?
Generally, toe kick heaters are more efficient than standard space heaters. Electric toe-kick heaters draw minimal current as compared to traditional electric space heaters.
Therefore, if you need to provide supplemental heat in small spaces, it is more efficient to use electric toe kick heaters than even the most efficient electric space heaters.
However, standard electric space heaters are more efficient than their kick space counterparts if you need to warm large rooms. Large space heaters can be carried from one place to another to provide zonal heating.
Hydronic toe kick heaters are more efficient than electric toe-kick heaters. Hydronic toe kick heaters utilize heat energy from your water heating system and not electric power. Thus, using hydronic toe kick heaters helps you to save on electricity costs.
What is a Toe Kick Heater?
A toe kick heater or kick space heater is a small heating device usually concealed under cabinets or on the walls near the flow level. The defining characteristic of a electric toe kick heater is its low profile. The heaters are relatively small so that they remain out of the view of people around the house.
Toe kick heaters are used to provide supplemental heat in the house. It is common for people to install them in unusually cold rooms. The heaters provide additional heat to what is generated by the central heating system if you have one.
The basic principle of toe kick heaters is to take in the cold air around them, heat it, and then release it back into the surrounding areas. They have special heating coils that directly heat the air currents.
As the warm air currents are continuously released into the atmosphere, the heater’s ambient temperature rises steadily to the desired levels.
Types of Kick Space Heaters
There are two types of kick space heaters based on the mode of heating: hydronic and electric. Hydronic kick space heaters draw heat from the hot water system.
The hot water is then pumped through the copper coils. As the coils get hot, they transfer their heat energy to the incoming air current. The small fan in the heater then pushes the warm air currents out and allows cold air currents from the nearby environment.
Electric kick space heaters directly utilize electric current to heat the air. This type of kick space heaters has aluminum heating elements that convert electric energy into heat energy.
As air currents pass through the heating element, they get heated. The warm air then is forced outside the heater into the atmosphere. This repeated process leads to a rise in the ambient temperature.
What Size of a Toe Kick Heater Do I Need?
The size of a toe kick heater that you need depends on your heating requirements. The heating range of toe kick heaters is determined by its design, the quality of the heating element, and the fan’s power.
Some toe kick heaters are designed to heat as small areas as 100 square feet. Other space heaters with powerful performance features can rapidly provide and maintain warmth in areas that measure up to 150 square feet.
In general, a heater that is rated 1,500W can effectively warm spaces that measure up to 150 square feet. However, in practice, this general rule does not always apply.
Some kick space heaters that are rated 1000W can provide sufficient warmth for a 150 square feet area. The size of a kick space heater that you need for your room depends on the space’s conditions and size.
Are Toe Kick Heaters Efficient?
Generally, toe kick heaters are more efficient than standard space heaters. Electric toe-kick heaters draw minimal current as compared to traditional electric space heaters.
Therefore, if you need to provide supplemental heat in small spaces, it is more efficient to use electric toe kick heaters than even the most efficient electric space heaters.
However, standard electric space heaters are more efficient than their kick space counterparts if you need to warm large rooms. Large space heaters can be carried from one place to another to provide zonal heating.
Hydronic toe kick heaters are more efficient than electric toe-kick heaters. Hydronic toe kick heaters utilize heat energy from your water heating system and not electric power. Thus, using hydronic toe kick heaters helps you to save on electricity costs.
Electric Toe Kick Heater VS In-Floor Radiant Heat
In-floor radiant heaters can be the right choice if you need to deal with perennially cold floors. It comprises a set of cables or a mat that is installed under the floor of a room.
Once it is properly installed, you will not have to bother about carrying out routine maintenance procedures. Moreover, this heating method provides warmth across the entire floor of the room.
Electric toe-kick heaters are perfect when you only need to provide supplemental heat in the entire room, including kitchens and bathrooms. You can regulate the heating performance of your toe kick heater using either an inbuilt or external thermostat.
Installing a electric toe kick heater is easier than an in-floor radiant heating system. You do not have to tear down the entire floor to lay the mat or cables as it is the case for in-floor radiant heating methods.
Toe Kick Heater VS Baseboard Heater
Both baseboard heaters and toe kick heaters serve the same purpose of providing supplemental heat in rooms. Baseboard heaters are installed along the baseboard and ideally under windows for effective performance.
The cold air that flows into rooms from the outside passes over the heating element of baseboard heaters. The warm air then rises across the entire room over time.
Similarly, toe kick heaters are installed on or near the house’s floor to continually heat cold air currents that accumulate near the floor in buildings.
The power consumption rates of baseboard heaters and toe kick heaters are similar. Standard toe kick heaters consume about 1,500 watts of electric power. Similarly, many brands of baseboard heaters need 1,500 watts of electric energy to function.
Baseboard heaters are larger than toe kick heaters. Therefore, if you are keen on having your heater concealed, go for a toe kick heater.
However, if you are looking for a heater that has slightly more heating capacity than a toe kick heater but does not need your attention always, install a baseboard heater.
Kick Space Heater Installation – How Do you Wire a Toe Kick Heater?
Although kick space heaters come with all the hardware needed for their installation, getting them up and running may be a daunting task.
The procedures for installing hydronic kick space heaters are more detailed than those for electric kick space heaters. This difference exists because one must carry out additional plumbing changes to connect hydronic kick space heaters with the hot water system.
There are a few essential things to remember when wiring your kick space heater. Notably, the device drains minimal current from the mains line. Therefore, you only need to use wiring codes for short circuits.
Also, it is necessary to ensure that the heater is independently configured. This means you will have to carry out additional wiring under cabinets if you need to carry out under the cabinet or soffit installation.
How to Fix a Noisy Toe Kick Heater
There are many ways of fixing a noisy kick heater. It all boils down to identifying the cause of the noise and correcting the problem. Here are a few things that you can do to fix a noisy toe kick heater.
- Check if there are any small objects stuck in the louvers or slats. Such small objects can cause your toe kick heater to produce a lot of noise when operating.
- Examine if the space between the heater and the electrical connection box is small. If the heater is actively vibrating against the box, then the area needs to be increased. You can do this by using your screwdriver and gently pushing the heater away from the pack. You may have to tighten a few screws after this procedure to avoid creating another cause of a noisy toe kick heater: loose screws.
- Check the screws of the blower wheel. If the two screws that fasten the blower wheel on the heater’s body are loose, your device will be quite noisy. Fasten them to ensure that they hold the blower wheel on the body very securely.
- Check the screws that hold your heater against the surface on which it is installed. If the screws are loose, tighten them to ensure that your heater is steadfastly kept on the floor, cabinet, or any other surface on which it is installed.
Best Electric Toe Kick Heater Reviews
1. Broan 114 Kickspace Fan-Forced Wall Heater
- White grille has a baked enamel finish and one-piece design for durability
- Vertical louvers disperse heat evenly across the width of the grille
- Control temperature with optional line voltage thermostat (Model 86W) or timer (Models 59V or 59W 60-minute timer or Models 61V or 61W 15-minute timer) for a simple and convenient way to control the heater
- No extended warm up time due to an efficient steel sheathed, plate-finned heating element that provides comfortable heat in seconds.Quiet, thermally protected motor shuts off in event of overheating and transverse blower circulates heated air for optimal room warming
- Housing width:18 inch
One of the hallmarks of the Broan 114 Kick space Fan-Forced Wall Heater is the ability to rapidly warm-up areas and maintain the temperature for as long as one needs it.
It has a unique heating element that comprises a steel sheath and plate fins. The heating element rapidly converts electric energy into heat energy. This process helps to create a comfortable environment in the room quickly.
The electric toe kick heater has vertical louvers that are perfectly positioned across the entire length of the side. The design and sizes of the louvers maximize the dispersion of heat across the room.
Thanks to the louvers’ design, this electric toe kick heater maintains a cozy environment across spaces that range from 100 square feet to 150 square feet.
You will have to cope with the fact that this toe kick heaterdoes not have an inbuilt thermostat. It is easy to control the heating performance of heaters that have inbuilt thermostats. You may have to incur the additional cost of installing a timer or line voltage thermostat.
Pros
- Its vertical louvers ensure even distribution of heat across the entire room
- The plate-finned heating element provides warmth rapidly
- Compact design for easy installation
Cons
- The heater does not have an inbuilt thermostat
2. TPI TSH20J Series TSH Fan Forced Kick Space Specialty Heater
The TSH Fan Forced Kick Space Heater is perfectly designed for all manner of installations, including on stair risers, soffits, and under the cabinets. It has an exceptionally slim compartment that fits perfectly into small openings.
Because of its small footprint, you will enjoy the primary benefit of using a kick space heater, which is having supplemental heat from a completely hidden device.
This kick space heater has all the inbuilt features that one needs for general safety. If the airways get blocked, the heater automatically goes off and requires resetting. Thus, the thermal cutoff feature helps to prevent the heater from getting damaged or causing accidents.
You will have to repeatedly check the grille of this electric toe kick heater and clean the louvers. The small spaces between the louvers can get blocked by solid particles. When this happens, your heater will be louder than usual if all the air spaces are free of dirt.
Pros
- Ideal for soffit and under the cabinet installation
- The electric toe kick heater has inbuilt safety features, including thermal cutoff
- Highly durable because of the use of steel and a rugged design
Cons
- Particles can quickly get stuck on the louvers because of the small size
3. KING KT2415-MW-W KT-MW Multi-Watt Kickspace Heater
- Fits Under Kitchen & Bath Cabinets
- NiChrome Open Coil Element For Quick Heat Transfer
- Multiple Wattage Options, to Tailor to a Room’s Specific Heating Requirements
- Squirrel Cage Blower
- Patented Smart Limit Protection
- Proudly Made in the USA with U.S. & Global Materials
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
Three things make the KING KT2415 one of the best choices of a electric toe kick heater: safety features, narrow design, and the quality of the heating element.
You will save lots of space if you choose to install this heater because it’s only 3.5 inches wide. You can discreetly hide it under the cabinet or have it recessed in stair risers.
The unique NiChrome open heating element is effective in providing rapid heating in small spaces. One can take advantage of the heating element’s performance and the option of changing the wattage of the heater to create a tailored heating performance.
Because the wiring of heaters or any other device can go wrong at any time, having devices with inbuilt safety features is critical. The KING KT2415 has the patented Smart Limitation technology.
This feature helps to keep you safe because it automatically switches the heater off if anything goes wrong. Therefore, you can have total peace of mind once the heater is installed correctly.
Pros
- It is very safe to use the heater because of the smart limit technology
- The exceptionally narrow design of the heater allows for easy installation
- You can tailor the performance of this heater by changing the wattage
Cons
- The heater is quite noisy
4. Fahrenheat 1,500-Watt Toe Space Electric Heater
- Tangential blower provides whisper-quiet warmth enough to heat a 150 sq. ft. room in winter
- Provides efficient output in an incognito design that blends with your existing venting
- For worry-free warmth, the unit's overheat protection feature prevents the heater from running when its air intake is blocked
- Front-mounted, built-in thermostat lets you set the right heat level with ease
- Matte black grille and rugged steel plate heating element are built for long-lasting performance
- Hard-wired unit; 120-Volt, Variable wattage; 6.3 - 12.5 Amp; thermostat included
It is easy to tailor the heating performance of your Fahrenheat 1,500-Watt Toe Space Electric Heater to your needs.
It has an inbuilt thermostat with a large knob that is mounted on its front side. You can use the thermostat to ensure that the electric toe kick heater maintains the temperature according to your room’s heating requirement.
The Fahrenheat 1,500-Watt Toe Space Electric Heater is distinctively rugged. The use of high-quality metals for its body and internal components, including the heating element, maximizes its durability. Besides, its grille has a unique matte finish that blends well with typical venting systems’ colors.
If you are not experienced with the procedures of installing toe-kick heaters, then having your Fahrenheat 1,500-Watt Toe Space Electric Heater up and running is likely to be a daunting task.
The provided manual may not be of great use because it is quite detailed. The solution to this problem may be to get a technician to do it for you.
Pros
- You can personalize its performance using the inbuilt thermostat
- The heater is highly durable because of its rugged design
- Inbuilt safety features, including overheat protection
Cons
- The installation instructions can be overwhelming to an inexperienced person
5. Marley Quiet Toe Kick Heater Qmark Qts1500t
- Hidden Heat Solution: The discrete design is perfect for use in bathrooms, under cabinets, stairwells, and even office cubicles
- Easy To Install: The 3-piece wall heater design makes installation easy so you can start heating your space as quickly as possible, without the frustration
- Safety Features: Thermal cutout indicated with pilot light protects against overheating
- Hushed Heating: The cross-flow blower keeps you warm, while keeping your heater quiet
- Perfect Size: This unit measures 1537 inches long, 887 inches wide, and 362 inches high
If you are looking for a compact but powerful toe kick heater that can effectively provide supplemental warmth in your house, then consider the Qmark Qts1500t.
This toe kick heater provides full room heating in spaces that measure as much as 150 square feet. It is ideal for installation under stairways or even in the vanity.
Furthermore, this heater’s high-quality fan does a pretty good job of pushing the warmed air around the room without making much noise. You will enjoy a quiet environment in your kitchen or even bathroom if you install this kick space heater.
The only drawback of using the Qmark Qts1500t relates to the installation. Although this kick toe heater can be conveniently into several positions and different configurations, the process is usually quite detailed.
Having it recessed into the risers of your stairways requires an adequate level of technical wiring skills. Nevertheless, a plumber with the right skills can help you do this.
Pros
- It has a wide heating range of 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit for full-room heating
- The heater operates very silently because of the high-quality fan
- The steel casing maximizes the durability of the heater
Cons
- Installing this heater is a complicated process
6. Cadet UC101W Perfectoe 1000-Watt 120V toekick heater
- 1000 watt fan-forced heater at 120 volts creates perfect warmth with a durable, steel-finned heating element
- 150 square feet heating area capacity is perfect for a kitchen, bathroom or stairwell
- Neatly fits under cabinets in the toekick area
- Includes high-temperature safety shutoff feature for safe operation and peace of mind
- A wall thermostat or built-in thermostat for temperature control is required (sold separately)
If you are keen on saving your energy costs even when using a toe kick heater, the Cadet UC101W may be the answer. It runs on only 1,000 watts and the standard 12V.
Its low consumption levels can help you save on heating costs because many other toe kick heaters are rated 1,500W.
Interestingly, this heater utilizes little wattage but effectively heats spaces, just like toe kick heaters rated 1,500. You can comfortably use the Cadet UC101W to provide supplemental heat in your kitchen or any other room at your home that is unusually cold.
It is also possible to tailor the heating of the Cadet UC101W to your needs. You only need to change the thermostat setting according to the heating requirements of your area at any time.
The only significant drawback of using this heater is that you must purchase the thermostat separately. Although you choose to get an external or inbuilt one, you will have to pay more, yet there are many other toe kick heaters with built-in thermostats.
Pros
- Low energy consumption of 1000 watts and 120V
- Powerful heating capacity enough for 150 square feet-spaces
- You can use a thermostat to control its heating
Cons
- The thermostat is sold separately