Is it a backup or initial heater
I have a small 500 sq ft apt and I wanted to know if this unit will heat it by itself or is it intended as a back-up for another source of heat.
It will heat by itself, but it's 1500W and the electric costs could rise significantly if you are using it as a sole source of heat. I use it to heat a 250 sq ft space and it definitely does it easily, 500 sq ft may be pushing it especially as a primary source of heat.