Here's an interesting site about solar heating:

http://www.builditsolar.com/Project...g/Space_Heating

The following is a general overview of electric baseboard heating:

http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellen...ublic/documents

Also, I happened to run into a another forum post about heating a room. Unfortunately, for some reason my computer isn't showing the right address, so rather than post a link I've copied the whole post. I just ran into this "Andy in Fink's" post and the forum on which it has been posted didn't even show. Then "Anthony" replied. I just thought it was worth repeating his remarks, though, so I hope its ok to do that on here:

"
My choice is the oil filled heater that looks like a steam radiator.
These devices are thermostatically controlled, and do not get
hot enough to burn paper or clothing, but instead rely on a lower
heat and a larger surface area.

They cost about $40, but I have picked up a couple at
garage sales for $5, so it just depends on where you shop."

from Andy in Fink

"Anthony Matonak" <res04ijs@gte.net> wrote in message
news:40A31E9D.3020603@gte.net...
> eb wrote:
> ...
> > I am an artist and do alot of my work in a small, cold room away from
the
> > gas space heater in the lounge room. It's coming on winter here
(Australia)
> > and I was hoping someone could help me through the mire of all the
different
> > types of heating.
>
> You have more choices than the ones you listed but they are not all as
> easy to install or use.
>
> > My choices seem to be
> >
> > Ceramic heater
> > Column oil heater
> > fan heater
> > Quartz heater
> > Convection heater
>
> All of these technologies are small portable electric heaters so they
> will all generally use the same amount of power to provide the same
> amount of heat. Their differences are in how they go about doing it.
>
> Small heaters, especially ones with fans, get very hot so they have
> the risk of igniting fires if they get tipped over or something
> combustible (dust bunnies) get sucked into them. They are small, cheap,
> very portable and the exhaust from a fan unit (like an oversized hair
> dryer) can be focused in a particular area for more comfort. Some
> can be a little loud.
>
> Larger units like the oil heater don't get as hot on the surface so
> they won't start a fire even if curtains brush up against them. They
> are safer for unattended operation and almost completely silent. They
> work better for heating the entire room rather than a tiny little spot
> like your feet under a desk. The room should have a ceiling fan to mix
> the air as the hot air will tend to collect at the ceiling and cold air
> at the floor.
>
> Radiant heaters like the quartz are line of sight things so they only
> really heat up whatever is in view of them. That means you'll get warm
> on the side facing them and can remain cold on the side away from them.
>
> That said, there are other alternatives. One method might be to look
> into a solar heater. They can be made easily out of common materials
> available at almost any building supply store. There are many examples
> and plans available on the net and you can build one to insert into a
> window opening so it would not require permanent installation.
>
> http://www.jrwhipple.com/sr/solheater.html
> This is just one example showing an overview. You can substitute less
> expensive materials, like plastic greenhouse film in place of glass,
> with the understanding that they may only last a few years in service.
>
> The other alternatives basically boil down to burning something, gas,
> wood, pellets, corn, oil, coal, charcoal and the like. These would be
> much less portable and would likely need semi-professional installation.
> Since you already have gas service to the building adding another gas
> space heater would likely be your cheapest alternative."
>
> Anthony