As we have stepped into November, it is now important to keep the horses warm during these cold days. Keeping the horses warm in winter can be as tricky as keeping them cool in the scorching heat. Stall fans are more in demand during the summer whereas horses owners rely on reliable barn heaters in colder months. It is not possible to make horses wear layers, so, investing in a reliable barn heater is your best bet.
Those of you who raise horses know how important it is to care for them in extremely cold temperatures. Horse stalls or an entire barn need to be warmed when the temperature reaches 9 or 10 degrees, or even lower. As you begin your search for the best barn heater, you will be flooded with endless options. It leaves one confused as to which one to buy.
So, here you will find some of the best barn heaters to heat the barn.
Best Barn Heater Reviews
- Best Overall: Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater
- Convenient: Stiebel Eltron 074058 120-Volt 1500-Watts Heater
- Best Heating Capacity: NewAir Portable Garage Heater
- Dual Knob Control: Comfort Zone 5000W Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater
- Value for Money: Mr. Heater Corporation F299720 Vent-Free 20,000 BTU Blue
- Cheap in Price: DIMPLEX DGWH4031G Garage and Barn Heater
- Best Quiet: Dreo Space Heaters for Indoor Use
1. Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater
The WiFi heater will make it convenient to change barn temperature right from your phone without the need to go out and do it manually.
It saves you the hassle during cold, winter nights. The WiFi unit is trusted by dozens of barn owners for heating the barn for their beloved horses. It is Amazon’s Choice for “Indoor Space Heaters by Heat Storm”.
Smart Heater – It is a difficult task to go out and change the temperature, not anymore, as the WiFi smart heater lets you do it from your phone, no matter where you are. Control the heat from a far distance with integrated WiFi technology.
Energy Efficient – It is a corded electric heater that radiates heat. Do not worry about the electricity bill as these heaters are energy efficient owing to the patented HMS dual-wall technology.
Portable – Besides the barn, you can heat bedrooms, living rooms, workshops, and other areas with this portable and wall mountable heater. They are easy to carry and can be mounted anywhere else.
Safety Certified – This heater is certified by ETL which is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL).
Pros
- WiFi heater model for convenience
- Set up takes minutes
- Portable and easy to store
Cons
- Does not include feet
- The app can be a bit confusing
2. Stiebel Eltron 074058 120-Volt 1500-Watts Heater
This heater is smaller in design that mounts to the wall. The sleek-looking compact model makes sure no animals are put off or spooked by the heater.
This quality heater is well-designed to warm an adequate barn space. These fan heaters are made in Germany that are extremely quiet and heat a room pretty quickly. It can be an ideal alternative to recess-mount heaters.
In-built Thermostat – This standalone or supplemental heat source features an integral thermostat to adjust heat easily. It can be controlled by a wall thermostat in a living area larger than 215 sq. ft.
Frost Protection – Most heaters lack this option but the Stiebel Eltron heater is equipped with the frost protection setting. The lowest thermostat settings will offer above the freezing temperature in a medium-sized space.
Design – The heater has a downdraft design that evenly distributes heat for maximum comfort. It pulls in cool air from the top and blows out warm air from the bottom.
Ultra Quiet – These heaters are made of galvanized steel which heats the room at a quiet 49.7 dB.
Pros
- 49.7 dB operating noise
- Convenient, Positive on/off switch
- Can be controlled by a central thermostat
- Frost protection settings
- Thermostat temperature range 41–86°F (5–30°C)
- 5118 Btu/hr rated output
- Squirrel cage type blower
Cons
- The knob is not very durable
- Becomes too hot to touch
3. NewAir Portable Garage Heater
Make the barn warmer for the animals quickly with this NewAir Heater. It is manufactured from sturdy steel to withstand many winter seasons with or little no maintenance.
NewAir G73 is safer and more convenient than most gas heaters. You can modify or direct the heat towards a specific area where the heat is needed. It is used by many barn owners for its efficient design.
Rugged Construction – The NewAir heater is built to last with a rugged, hard-shell exterior. Manufactured from high-quality, heavy-duty material, it can withstand tough climate and working conditions. It is made of sturdy steel with a powder-coated finish for long service life.
Safety Features – The G73 heater is UL certified which means it meets the guidelines for electrical safety. Designed with an auto temperature control feature that shuts the heater off when it begins to overheat.
Heat Control – It has a built-in thermostat for easy temperature adjustment. Control the temperature as you want in the barn with the single pole thermostat easily.
Coverage – With 5,000 watts of heating power, the heater provides plenty of warmth to heat the 500 sq ft area. The 240 Volt NewAir Heater meets the requirements of heating appropriately sized spaces.
Pros
- Powerful 200 CFM with 500 sq ft coverage
- Ceiling and Wall Mountable
- Heating capacity of 17,000 BTUs
- Sturdy steel housing
Cons
- Fans do not work
4. Comfort Zone 5000W Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater
Comfort Zone is one of the best barn heaters when we talk about horse safety. It has in-built safety features to keep animals safe while providing adequate warmth.
Mount it to the wall or the ceiling with the included heavy-duty bracket. It provides plenty of warmth without taking any floor space at all. The powerful heater heats a room, barn, workshop, or hangout area.
Steel Construction – The heater is manufactured with a tough heavy gauge steel body for extended use in harsh working conditions and climate.
The heavy-duty steel construction makes it withstand sudden temperature drops and spikes in poorly insulated areas.
Simple Controls – The heater has simple manual controls with a dual knob. Easily adjust the thermostat or turn the unit on and off with the knob. Get the desired heat output for your space with these easy controls.
Safety Features – Integrated with a built-in sensor that immediately shuts off the heater when it reaches an unsafe temperature or overheats. The power light lets you know when it is being used, so, you can safely turn it off before leaving the room.
Design – It is designed with Louvers and a variable mounting angle to direct the heat where it is needed the most. The 240 Volt commercial heater can be mounted to the ceiling.
Pros
- Built with a heavy gauge steel body
- Integrated overheat safety sensors to avoid any unpleasant situation
- Fan forced for wide heating
- Dual knob controls for easy heat adjustment
Cons
- Fan blades get loose or break easily
5. Mr. Heater Corporation F299720 Vent-Free 20,000 BTU Blue
This Blue Flame heater warms the air instead of radiating heat like infrared units. Barns and horse stalls are quite spacious, therefore, this heater provides wide heating.
It can not be used as a primary heat source, more like supplemental heat with a furnace. There is no need to worry about power outages as it runs on propane.
Coverage – This heater runs on propane and is efficient than most electric heaters. This supplemental heating solution heats up to 500 square feet.
Design – The heater is designed to be mounted to the wall or securely fastened to the floor. The package includes brackets and fasteners. The clean-burning blue flame tube burner warms the air for maximum comfort.
Runtime – Runtime at max BTU/hr is 21.59. The fuel consumption/Burn Rate is 9.26 lbs per hour. It has variable heat output, so, runtime changes accordingly.
Thermostat – The thermostat is included in the accessories given along with the heater. The thermostat gives the user superior control to adjust the temperature of the space.
Pros
- Features factory standard Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS)
- Battery-powered electronic ignition
- Blue flame
- 20,000 BTU of heating capacity
Cons
- A bit noisy when heating up
- Expensive to run all the time as it consumes a lot of propane
6. DIMPLEX DGWH4031G Garage and Barn Heater
The DIMPLEX Heater provides reliable performance and comfort for a prolonged period. The high-performance motor provides powerful airflow for fast and effective warming.
Barn animals will get plenty of warmth in their barn space. The small yet powerful unit keeps the stables warm and pleasant during the winter months. It is Amazon’s Choice for “electric garage heaters for indoor use”.
Construction – This durable heater has rugged construction and is designed with heavy gauge steel treated with an epoxy powder-coated finish to increase service life and rust resistance.
Mounting Bracket – The package includes a versatile installation bracket for setting it up on either the wall or ceiling. The swivel and pivot direct the heat to a particular area where it is needed the most.
Thermostat – The on-unit thermostat control easily adjusts heat levels. Fan delay uses residual heat to warm the space and saves money in the long run.
Safety and Comfort – Features automatic overheat protection for safe operations and usage. It is designed for hard-to-heat spaces and a propeller-style fan has powerful and effective warming.
Pros
- Durable, powerful 4,000 watts heater
- Includes a six-foot-long cord with NEMA plug
- Quick connection to a 240 volt
- Automatic overheat protection
- A long cord makes it convenient to position the heater far from the socket
Cons
- Not sufficient to heat an entire barn
7. Dreo Space Heaters for Indoor Use
This space heater from Dreo offers maximum comfort with powerful heating, quiet breezes, and energy-efficient performance.
The compact yet powerful heater keeps the space warm and cozy during cold days and nights. This good-looking heater heats the barn or horse stable efficiently and pretty quickly.
The heater is portable and easy to carry from one place to another.
Warm Breeze – The proprietary ObliqueAirlow Technology delivers a gentle warm breeze while reducing fan noise.
40dB performance provides comfort and convenience. It is 11% quieter than the traditional space heaters. The heater provides quiet, warm breezes for long-lasting comfort.
Modes – The heater has a 2S instant heating mechanism that immediately heats the room and reaches a high temperature.
It features 3 heating modes including High (1500W), Low (900W), and ECO. Switch between these modes to get the warmth you desire.
Tip-Over Protection – It has multiple features for the safety of homeowners and animals.
The heater is ETL-certified and has multiple safety features including an overheat sensor, tip-over switch, automatic shutdown after 24 hours without operation, and V0-rated flame-retardant materials. It answers many concerns related to safety.
Controls – It has a large LED display and panel on the top where you can adjust settings like a thermostat, timer, mode, mute, and oscillation. It can be controlled by remote control with a 26-feet control range. Change settings without leaving the sofa and bed.
Pros
- The hidden handle at the back makes it easy to carry
- The adjustable timer turns off the heater automatically at the desired time
- Features a 41-95°F Thermostat
- Quiet operations
- Touch controls for convenience
- Energy-efficient design
Cons
- Slightly burnt smell during the first few uses
8. PELONIS PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower 1500W Indoor Space Heater
Pelonis Tower Heater provides durable and reliable warmth during chilly nights. It can be perfect for medium-sized barns and stables.
Manufactured by American brand Pelonis that offers a 1-year manufacturer warranty to the consumers.
Pelonis is in the business for 30 years is and trusted by people for quality heating appliances. It is Amazon’s Choice for a “safe space heater” and has plenty of positive reviews.
Fast Heating – This 3 Seconds Instant Heating Tower Heater quickly reaches 70°F in 3 seconds. Thanks to reliable heating technology, it is a perfect electric-resistance radiant heater to heat the barn in the cold winter.
Safe – The PTC heater is crafted from high-quality cool touch flame-resistant material along with a US standard socket. Features Overheating and tip-over switch protection to make it safer for family and the barn animals.
Programmable Thermostat – Customize temperature settings for maximum comfort with the programmable thermostat. Choose between three heating modes; High, Low, and ECO mode. ECO mode saves a lot of energy based on the ambient temperature.
Controls – It features an easy control digital panel on the top to customize or choose any temperature. The remote controller can control and allow you to change settings from a 20ft distance.
Pros
- Designed with carrying handle for easier moving
- Sleek and stylish design
- 3 heating modes
- 3 seconds instant heating
- Close grille fan for even heat dispersion
- Assemble and disassemble for easier cleaning
- 8 hours timer
- 50dB noise level
Cons
- Oscillates only about 6 inches
- The front of the unit gets too hot
Things to Consider When Buying a Barn Heater
When choosing the best heater for a barn, it is important to consider different factors before making an investment.
You will stumble upon different heating appliances, however, not all of them are better suited to heat an entire barn. The following factors will help you make a wise decision regarding barn heaters.
Size
The heater size should be according to the barn space. It should not be too big or occupy too much floor space to make it inconvenient for animals to move around. Choose a medium-sized heater with variable heat output to maximize efficiency and comfort.
Attachment
Most heaters come with brackets and other mounting accessories to be mounted to the wall or the ceiling. Wall and ceiling mountable heaters occupy no floor space leaving a lot of room for horses to move.
Installation
The installation of a heater is not generally a difficult task, especially for, standalone heating source. They can be easily set up in comparison with the wall and ceiling mountable heater.
These kinds of heaters have a somewhat complicated installation in hard wiring or cabling.
Heat Rating
Heat Rating has a greater impact than you believe. Check the heat capacity first and analyze if it would be sufficient to heat your barn.
Standalone heaters are smaller, therefore, require an additional heat source for effective warming. To avoid freezing, standalone can be a great supplemental heating solution. Heaters mounted onto the ceiling or wall are often bigger and can heat a larger space.
Type
A couple of decades ago, there were only a few types of heaters available. Not anymore, now, there are plenty of options to choose from including electric, propane gas, natural gas, kerosene, recycled oil, and infrared heaters.
Each one has its own pros and cons; weak heat or strong heat, expensive or cheaper, etc. Choose the heater as per the barn size and the purpose of heating.
Safety Features
Though this factor comes last it is definitely not the least. Leaving a horse unattended with heating equipment can be a bit of a worry. So, make sure that the heater has several safety features and is guaranteed with safety checks.
All the aforementioned heating appliances are of high quality and extremely popular in the market. Now, choose the heater keeping in mind its heating capacity, barn size, and other requirements.
