Portable Heaters & Other Cold Office Solutions

Keep chilly workers warm & productive

Temperature is one of the most important ways of keeping your coworkers comfortable—especially in winter. When it comes to portable heaters, draft stoppers and other methods of keeping your workplace warm, you have some questions, so we’ve made this helpful guide. Continue reading to find the best cold office solutions and stay warm this winter.

How to stay warm in a cold office

The first step in keeping your office warm is keeping out as much cold as possible. Winterizing your windows or improving your business’s insulation is a great first step and can also save you money by lowering your heating costs. You may even be able to get rebates or tax deductions to help reduce the upfront costs of installation. 

If your windows are in good shape but your office is still chilly, it’s time to think about portable heaters and other cold office solutions.

Finding the best portable heaters for office use

A portable heater is an excellent way to make a workspace feel cozy even when the weather is freezing. There are many different types of heaters out there, and some are better suited for offices than others. Here are five considerations to help you find the best space heaters for office settings:

• Safety features: Safety is always priority number one, especially when the portable heater you choose may be used by many different employees in many different places. Specific safety features will differ depending on the type of heater you choose, but some common examples to look out for are tip-over switches that will turn off the heater if it’s knocked over, as well as sensors that monitor for overheating and blocked airflow.

• Heat source: Electrical heaters are easy to use, as long as your space has a spare outlet nearby (many manufacturers recommend against using their heaters with extension cords). Propane heaters can also be very effective, but they may be more difficult for employees to maintain and refill.

• Operating area: A portable heater used in too large of an area—or a space that is prone to drafts, such as from opening and closing doors—may not be able to heat effectively. The heater may also need to remain on too long to keep the space sufficiently warm, which could reduce its operational lifespan. Measure how large of a space you need to heat then compare that to the product details.

• Automatic on and off: Some heaters come with built-in thermostats that will turn them on or off, depending on the ambient temperature. This can help prevent a space becoming uncomfortably hot if left unattended, which is not only a waste of energy but also potentially dangerous.
  

• Size and aesthetics: Look for a heater that you won’t mind leaving out all winter long. First consider models that fit into your existing layout so you don’t have to worry about moving chairs or desks around every time it gets a little chilly.  Then look for ones that fit in well with the look of your office—there’s no need to disrupt your chic and modern design with an industrial-looking appliance.

Other cold office solutions

Your options don’t end at portable heaters. Here are some other ways to warm up your people and place:

• Removable draft stoppers: Drafty doors can let the warmth from a portable heater drift right out of the room. While you may eventually want to investigate a more permanent way to address the leak, setting a draft stopper on the floor in front of the door can help quite a bit.

• Weatherstripping: Between the temporary fix of draft stoppers and full-on structural repairs is weatherstripping. Long rolls that are easy to cut let you choose how much you need, and adhesive backings make it easy to apply the stripping wherever it’s needed most. Just make sure the door or window can open and shut normally with the weatherstripping installed.

• Electric blankets: If you can’t keep the space warm enough, you can at least keep individual employees nice and cozy. Heated blankets allow workers to wrap themselves up at their desks while leaving their hands free, and many even let users select their desired heating level. Keeping a few heated blankets on hand will go a long way toward helping employees who always seem to be the coldest ones in the room.

• Hot drink stations: Giving employees easy access to hot drinks will help them warm up from the inside out. Consider giving your office coffee station an upgrade, complete with tea and hot cocoa options for employees who prefer them.

Stay warm with Walmart Business

You don’t have to break your workflow to turn a chilly office into a warm and welcoming place. Just create a Walmart Business account, fill out your cart with the portable heaters and cold office solutions you need.

Or make your preparation easier for every season with a Walmart Business+ membership. You’ll get free shipping with no order minimum¹ and free delivery from stores with a $35 minimum,² as well as access to Spend Analytics and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards on orders $250 or more³ to help you budget for the winter and beyond.

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply. 

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).