In my opinion, this is the best and safest type of supplemental heater you can buy. It helps us heat our basement pretty quickly. It has a thermostat, overheat protection, and is cool to the touch, except right in from where the heat comes out. Nice to have the controls on top, it is easy to see. Unit also has a timer in which you can set it to run for 1 or up to 9 hours and then shut off automatically. I have tried several heaters in my basement and a couple other types of infrared heaters and this one seems to be the best overall. This is its second season of use and no problems at all to date.