DOUBLE Equine Winter Comfort With These 6 Best Barn Heaters

There are various safe and dependable ways to keep horses warm with the best barn heater during the winter. The correct barn heater may significantly affect the horses’ ability to stay warm and healthy over the long winter months. 

Here are some of the best barn heaters on the market and some installation and usage guidelines. Double the comfort of your horses throughout the winter by using these warmers!

What is a Horse Barn Heater?

Horse stalls or corral heaters are simply electric heating devices that use energy to heat the air. These devices create heat and transfer it directly to the surfaces inside the stall using high-frequency currents. The heater’s warm air disperses throughout the enclosure via fans. 

How to Heat a Barn

Insulate

Building a barn with enough insulation is the greatest thing you can do to heat it.

Pole Barn

Typically, a pole barn heater consists of wood poles to form a frame-like structure. Insulating the interior of a pole barn can assist save heating expenses by keeping cold air out and lowering heat loss from the structure. 

The pole barn structure’s voids have loose-fill insulation of cellulose or fiberglass batting. A robust layer of polystyrene plastic acts as a rigid foam board insulation laid over the pole barn’s structure. Both techniques for insulating a building’s interior are effective, but each has special benefits and drawbacks.

Standard Barn

Most American barns consist of steel and lack insulation. Additionally, steel may experience a wide variety of temperatures, from very hot to very cold, which accelerates the buildup of condensation.

Condensation and humidity may negatively impact your barn’s construction and animal health. The humidity might cause your equipment and supplies to corrode. The inside temperature of your barn should remain constant to avoid these undesirable things. To keep it warmer as the temperature drops, you must insulate it.

Spraying foam insulation is a popular technique for barns with steel sides. It may be 50% more successful in maintaining the internal temperature.

You apply the appropriate foam thickness depending on how hard the winter is. This layer of insulation may be sufficient to get through the warm weather if the winters are not very chilly where you live. However, you may want supplemental heat, such as a livestock heater, if it is cooler.

Choose the Correct Heater Size

When deciding on the correct size of heater for your barn, you’ll need to consider numerous aspects, including the number of animals you want to heat, the amount of space you have available in your barn, how much money you want to spend on this project, and how many animals will be using the space at any given time.

How to set up your barn is shown here:

• Measure the area’s height, breadth, and length.
• Multiply the three above measurements together to get the cubic feet.
• Multiply the necessary heat increase after multiplying the cubic feet by 0.133.

Considerations to Take Before Heating a Barn

You need to heat your barn because it’s winter. You have several possibilities, and selecting the perfect one is up to you. But before you heat your barn, think about a few things.

If Your Barn Maintains the Machinery

Do not assume that a heater is not necessary for barn-keeping equipment. Even if the equipment isn’t living, it might deteriorate if the temperature drops too low.

Some instruments may take longer to start up or strain if used before they have a chance to heat up.

You may also increase the barn’s temperature to make yourself more comfortable working here.

If Your Barn Is Effective for Livestock

If your barn houses cattle, you should know that various animals respond to temperatures differently. Some cattle can withstand frigid temperatures pretty well, so adding extra heat may harm them.

Legal Limitations

Last but not least, you must ensure that barn heaters are legal in your area.

If you make a mistake, you risk paying penalties and having to pay to remove and replace the heaters you’ve placed.

Forced Air Systems vs. Barn Heaters

There are a few alternatives to consider when selecting a heater for your barn. A heater for a barn is a well-liked alternative to a forced air system. 

Forced air systems are a more typical method of heating barns and stables in the winter, but they may be costly. They have a relatively limited temperature range and need a lot of upkeep. Additionally, they are not as efficient as barn heaters, which will keep your horses warm and healthy throughout the coldest months of the year.

Barn heaters are a low-cost solution that provides warmth, heat retention, and additional ventilation. Their design enables their usage in smaller spaces where forced air systems would be impossible owing to space constraints, such as small stalls or paddocks.

The Different Types of Barn Heaters

There are several varieties of barn heaters on the market, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Here is a brief description of a few of the most popular designs of livestock heaters:

• Forced air heaters: Propane or natural gas fuel; these heaters employ a fan to move air throughout the barn. Although they are generally inexpensive to run, they can be loud and may not provide heat that is distributed uniformly around the barn.
• Infrared heaters: These warmers produce infrared radiation, which barn items absorb (including animals). Targeting certain regions of the barn is possible using infrared heaters, which are quite effective. They may, however, be pricey to buy and maintain.
• Radiant heaters: These heaters distribute heat outward using coils or pipes to produce heat. Targeting certain regions of the barn is possible using radiant heaters, which are quite effective.

Our Favourite Equine Barn Heater

Our pick for the best equine barn heater is the Stiebel Eltron. This heater is top-notch, portable, and small. Any 120 VAC or 230 VAC will work with it. Compared to a conventional electric heater, the efficient design can lower heating expenses by up to 50%, reducing energy consumption. 

The Stiebel Eltron offers dependable operation, the purest airflow possible in the smallest area, and no external noise, in addition to accurate temperature control offered by built-in sensors. This device has a built-in timer with three settings for continuous regular operation, three for automatic shutoff, and three for continuous quiet mode.

At a Glance: The Best Horse Barn Heaters

Product Name	Best for Case	Rating Out of Five
Stiebel Eltron	Best overall horse barn heater	4.9
Comfort Zone CZ220	Best forced air horse barn Heater	4.8
Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater	Best radiant horse barn heater	4.6
NewAir G73 Hardwired Electric Garage Heater	Best coverage horse barn heater	4.4
Mr. Heater Corporation	Best durable horse barn heater	4.3
Comfort Zone CZ230ER	Best design horse barn heater	4.2

Our Favorite Equine Barn Heater Picks Reviewed

Stiebel Eltron (Best Overall Horse Barn Heater)

Amazon’s Choice in Indoor Space Heaters by Stiebel Eltron

The environmentally friendly Stiebel Eltron Heater, model 074058, is built with a sound cooling system and incredibly effective heating. 

It is top of the line for outstanding heat production and efficiency of this 1500-watt heater. An oil-filled resistive element offers stable temperature, minimal noise, and almost little maintenance. 

List of Features

Brand: Stiebel Eltron

Power source: Hardwiring required

Heating method: ‎Forced air

Item weight: ‎8 pounds (3.6 kg)

Heat output: 1,500 watts

Indoor/Outdoor usage: Indoor

Heating coverage: 215 sq. ft. (19.97 m²)

Features

• European surface-mount style is modern.
• Operation is extremely quiet at 49.7 dB. (a).
• It has a built-in thermostat for optimal comfort.
• It has a downdraft structure that evenly heats a room.
• German manufacturing quality.
• Setting for frost protection.
• Perfect for any situation requiring quick heat.

Pros

• Runs quietly.
• Simple to install
• Stunning and elegant design.

Cons

• Insufficient ventilation.

Comfort Zone CZ220 (Best Forced Air Horse Barn Heater)

Comfort Zone’s ceiling-mounted heater offers a ton of warmth without taking up valuable floor space. This fan-forced heater has a durable heavy gauge steel body. It enables it to withstand the abrupt temperature changes and increases that it may experience in inadequately insulated environments. 

The heater has two knobs up front, making it simple and quick to change the thermostat or switch the appliance on and off. It is simple to adjust the heat output to the ideal amount for your space using simple manual controls. 

Additionally, the device has a power light that lets you know when it’s on and will assist you in making sure it’s safely off before you leave the room.

List of Features

Brand: Comfort Zone

Power source: Corded electric

Heating method: Forced air

Item weight: 16 pounds (7 kg)

Heat output: 17,065 British thermal units

Form factor: Cabinet

Indoor/Outdoor usage: Indoor

Heating coverage: 1,000 sq. ft. (92.9 m²)

Features

• Designed to distribute air widely across a large region.
• Three thermostats for controlling the heat.
• Made from heavy-gauge steel.
• Includes a mounting bracket that is adjustable in size.
• Built-in overheat sensors and power indicator lights are safety measures.
• Direct airflow and targeted warmth in your space.

Pros

• Integrated safe sensor.
• Intense heat.
• Robust and durable design.

Cons

• It takes a long time to heat the room.

Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater (Best Radiant Horse Barn Heater)

Amazon’s Choice in Indoor Space Heaters by Heat Storm

The Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater is a high-performance infrared space heater that can swiftly heat any room. 

It is simple to situate this heater away from walls and furniture while it heats any room because it can be installed on the wall or set down on the floor. Since the heater has Wi-Fi capabilities, you may adjust its settings from any location with an internet connection.

When you want to monitor the temperature, you can use the app on your computer or smartphone to change the settings and choose whether to add warm air or open the vents.

List of Features

Brand: Heat Storm

Power source: Corded electric

Heating method: Radiant

Item weight: 9 pounds (4 kg)

Heat output: 1,500 watts

Form factor: Wall mounted

Indoor/Outdoor usage: Indoor

Heating coverage: 750 sq ft (69.7 m²)

Features

• Voltages: 110 volts.
• Mountable on a wall.
• WiFi-enabled smart heaters.

Pros

• Strong heat.
• Contemporary and practical WiFi application.
• Fairly quiet

Cons

• If the WIFI is poor, you won’t get any signal.

NewAir G73 Hardwired Electric Garage Heater (Best Coverage Horse Barn Heater)

Amazon’s Choice in Indoor Space Heaters by NewAir

With the NewAir G73 electric garage heater, you may work in a warmer, more pleasant environment. This garage heater has a heating capability of 17,060 BTUs, which can warm up to 500 ft² (46.45 m²). 

The NewAir G73 is safer and more practical than gas heaters since it uses electricity rather than propane as fuel. With the accompanying swivel bracket, mount it to the wall or ceiling and direct the heat where you need it. 

List of Features

Brand: NewAir

Power source: Gas-powered and corded electric

Heating method: Forced air

Item weight: 15 pounds (6.8 kg)

Heat output: 5,000 British Thermal Units

Indoor/Outdoor usage: Indoor

Heating coverage: 750 sq ft (69.7 m²)

Features

• Broad 500 ft² (46.45 m²) coverage.
• The stainless steel structure is durable.
• Comprises a wall mount.

Pros

• Simple to install.
• Radiates a huge deal of heat.

Cons

• While working, it’s rather noisy.

Mr. Heater Corporation (Best Durable Horse Barn Heater)

Amazon’s Choice in Indoor Propane Space Heaters by Mr. Heater

Even on the coldest days, this Blue Flame 20,000 BTU Liquid Propane Vent Free heater is the ideal auxiliary heating option. This heater has a thermostat for easy temperature adjustment in your room. 

Additionally, starting it is simple and comes with a battery-operated electric ignition. This device may be permanently fixed to the wall or firmly secured to the floor using the accompanying mounting brackets and screws. 

A clean-burning blue flame tube burner circulates warm, comforting air by utilizing the natural convection of the burn. A factory-installed oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) ensures that this heater will provide you with years of dependable, secure heat.

List of Features

Brand: Mr. Heater

Power source: Gas powered

Heating method: Convection

Item weight: 24.8 pounds (11.2 kg)

Heat output: 30,000 British thermal units

Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Heating coverage: 500 sq ft (46.5 m²)

Features

• Burner with a blue flame for convection heating.
• Automatic shut-off when oxygen is low.
• Includes thermostat, legs, and wall-mounted gear.

Pros

• Broad heating.
• It can automatically switch off when it becomes warm enough.
• Conserving energy.
• The animals can still feel comfortable since the air on the floor is still chilly.

Cons

• Heating up makes a lot of noise.

Comfort Zone CZ230ER (Best Designed Horse Barn Heater)

The Comfort Zone ceiling mount heater has a fan-forced design to distribute heat uniformly across your room. The device is kept out of the way of small children and dogs with the ceiling-mounted placement, saving important floor space. This fan-powered heater’s body is sturdy, thick gauge steel. 

It enables it to withstand the sharp temperature changes and increases that it will experience in inadequately insulated locations. 

Instead of manually turning it on and off, you may run it for a predetermined period using a 12-hour timer. You can simply change the 240–volt industrial heater’s settings from a distance with the full-featured remote control that comes with it, so you can switch it on and off or raise and reduce the temperature as needed without getting up from your desk.

Its louvers and adjustable mounting angle let you direct the airflow into a drafty spot or toward your normal workplace, ensuring that the warmth moves to the region that needs it most.

It contains a sensor that immediately switches off the ceiling mount heater when it reaches a hazardous temperature, preventing damage to the device.

List of Features

Brand: Comfort Zone

Power source: Corded electric

Heating method: Forced air

Item weight: 23.6 pounds (10.7 kg)

Heat output: 25,600 British thermal units

Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Heating coverage: 1,250 sq. ft. (116.1 m²)

Features

• Designed to distribute air widely across a large region.
• Made from heavy-gauge steel.
• Installation necessitates a single-phase hardwire connection (240-volt AC).
• Built-in overheat sensors and power indicator lights are safety measures.
• Controls are simple to use, with a digital thermostat and a remote control.

Pros

• Steel construction is long-lasting.
• Sensor for overheating prevention.
• It has a design that saves space.
• Offers easy-to-use controls.

Cons

• Installation that is hard-wired.

Your Horse Barn Heater Buying Guide

Now is the time to start planning how to keep your horse barn warm because winter is soon to arrive. This shopping guide for horse barn heaters is for you if you’re unsure where to begin.

When selecting a horse barn heater, there are a few factors to consider, such as the size of the barn, the type you want to use, and the safety. You’ll be able to narrow down your options and discover the ideal heater for your barn once you’ve considered all of these variables.

Attachment

The connection, which fastens your heater to the barn wall, is the most crucial component. Your choice of attachment will be influenced by how far you wish to set your heater from the wall.  

You might need something bigger to position the heater further away from the wall. In any case, be sure to pick one that accommodates both your demands and your budget.

Installation

Skipping installation is not a smart idea. The component of your heating system that will make or break your decision to buy a barn heater is this one.

How effectively you install your barn heater will determine its quality. You can wind up with a pricey paperweight if you need to install it correctly.

You need to know the supplies and equipment needed for installation to get the most out of your new barn heater.

Size

The size of the heater, or how many horses or other animals will be utilizing it at once, is the next factor to consider when purchasing a horse barn heater. The size of your horse barn heater should be sufficient to keep up with all the animals in your barn without running out of fuel too quickly.

Barn Size

The form and design of your heating system will depend on the size of your horse barn. You will likely require a sizable heating system if you intend to purchase a large horse barn to keep the space warm.

On the other hand, if you own a barn or structure, you might not even need to buy a new heating system. You can switch your old furnace to a smaller one.

Consult your local veterinarian about the amount of space that has to be heated to guarantee that your horses’ or other animals’ health is protected by freezing temperatures if you need clarification on the size of barn you require for your horses or other animals.

Heat Rating

Your horse barn heater’s heat rating assesses its capacity to generate heat. British thermal units, or BTUs, quantify the energy required to raise a pound of water’s temperature by 1°F (17°C).

A heater may create more heat and be used for longer periods if it has a higher heat rating. Opt for a heater with a greater heat rating if you have a big barn, so you don’t have to continue turning it on and off.

Type

The first step in purchasing a horse barn heater is to ensure that it is the proper sort of heater for your barn. Investing in an electric or gas-powered horse barn heater and other heater models that use both fuel types is the best method to do this. 

It will ensure that you receive the appropriate heater for your needs while also helping you save money on your heating expenses.

Safety

You should consider safe barn heaters before making a purchase. Since the heating source is on day and night, leaving the animals or equipment alone is not advisable.

So let’s pick a heater that has undergone safety inspections and doesn’t emit smoke. You may read user evaluations and safety ratings for your possible heater or look for additional security features.

FAQs on Equine Barn Heaters

How Warm Should I Keep My Barn?

Their preferred temperature ranges from 18° to 59° F (-7 to 13 °C), depending on each horse’s coat. So you shouldn’t heat your barn above 59° F (13 °C).

Your horses cannot develop winter coats if your barn is too warm. And that causes problems when they are outside in the cold.

How Cold Is Too Cold for Horses?

If there is no wind or precipitation, horses can survive temperatures of 0° F (-17 °C) or just slightly below 0° F (-17 °C).

They can survive in low temperatures if they have a refuge. So, temperatures below -40° F (4 °C) are too cold for horses.

Do Horses Get Cold in the Snow?

Since they are animals, horses can withstand cold weather, but not extreme cold. Although they can survive in the snow, the ice and snow won’t stop them from dehydrating. So, don’t forget to provide them with fresh food and clean water.

Are Electric or Propane Heaters Better for Barns?

Barn heating options include both electric and propane barn heaters. Both offer advantages, and most individuals base their choice on personal preference.

Electric barn heaters are simple to install and frequently energy-efficient, thanks to infrared lighting. Due to their independence from electricity, propane heaters might be a dependable choice in the event of a power outage.

That’s a Wrap

For owners of horses who live in colder climates, winter is a particularly challenging season. While they are accustomed to the cold, their human counterparts are less fortunate. Therefore, they must do their best to warm the animals’ stables to keep them from becoming ill. 

The easiest method to accomplish this is to warm up the atmosphere within your barn. However, this is not always possible because many individuals lack the means to heat their barns.

A Stiebel Eltron heater is the best option for heating your residence, place of business, or industrial. Whether it’s cold outside or just looking for inexpensive ways to heat the space around you, Stiebel Eltron heaters are the ideal in-between option. Read our article and find out 7 Horse Stall Fans to FIGHT Off the Summer Heat.