Depending on where you live, winter has come with a vengeance, with freezing temperatures blanketing much of the country. And if your home is anything like mine – less than perfectly insulated – you’re undoubtedly experiencing fluctuating temps in some rooms in your house. I live in a two-story lakefront home with an abundance of windows, so for me, it’s the bedrooms furthest from the furnace, with temps dropping significantly in these rooms compared to the main living area.
Up until now I’ve resorted to two options: turning my heating system up extra, which leads to huge energy bills and living spaces that are too warm… neither of which are ideal. I’ve also resorted to using electric oil heaters in the rooms in question, but they were mediocre at best, and with young kids, they also presented a burn risk (and did I mention how terrible they look?). Winter after winter I’ve sought a better solution, and after years of searching, I can finally say I’ve found the answer: the Kelvin heater by a company called Boldr.
It is nothing short of exactly what I was seeking: it’s a smart heater, it’s energy efficient, it can heat up to 200 sq. ft, it uses infrared heating technology, and its design is completely unlike any other space heater on the market – it looks great. While it’s a huge wish list to ask for in a heater, the Kelvin absolutely checks every box on my wishlist, and after a month of using it, it has not only delivered, it’s exceeded my expectations in every way possible.
Simply put, the Boldr Kelvin is the new standard for thoughtful, beautiful, and smart home heating. At the heart of the Kelvin, and what initially sets it apart, is how it heats. Unlike conventional convection units that heat air — and depend on fans to move warmth around — Kelvin uses infrared heat to warm people and objects directly. That means you feel warmth as soon as you’re in its path, not minutes later after the air finally gets hot. It’s a more natural warmth, more immediate, more comfortable, and something I would liken to sunlight on your skin rather than hot air blowing in your face. And interestingly enough, it allows you to feel warmer, even with a lower ambient room temperature. Initially in reading about infrared heat, I questioned how effective it would actually be in my home, but after experiencing the Kelvin’s infrared heating technology, I would never consider going back to my conventional heating methods. Especially after a night of use, the air quality is vastly improved and feels so much less dry, which is especially important in cold, dry winters. And topping it all off, the Kelvin is completely silent – no fans, no humming – just naturally radiating heat.
Honestly, the heating quality alone is enough reason for me to make the switch to the Kelvin, but here’s the best part: because of the direct infrared heating, the Kelvin is also remarkably energy-efficient, with Boldr noting a 30% efficiency increase over competitors and some testers finding it was up to 50% more energy efficient compared to other heaters. In short, it magically outperforms other heaters while still costing drastically less to run.
Simplicity is one of Boldr’s core design principles
But Kelvin isn’t just smart about energy efficiency, it’s smart in the literal sense. The unit comes with a wireless sensor and works with the companion app as well as Alexa and Google Home, giving you precise control over room temperature, humidity, scheduling, and more. You can zone-control your heating — warm the rooms you’re actually using rather than heating the entire house — and monitor energy consumption in real time. You can also set schedules, automatically adjust heat when you’re away, and tailor comfort to your lifestyle. And the best part is that it all comes bundled with the Kelvin; there are no hidden subscriptions, no monthly fees, no ongoing costs beyond electricity. It’s “set it and forget it”, but far more capable than old-school baseboards or plug-in radiators. You can also opt (as I did) to add a Boldr smart thermostat to your Kelvins, which adds in-room temperature controls and thermostat as well as additional connectivity to Matter, Apple Home, Samsung Smart Things and more.
Finally, if you’re not sold on the heating ability, you’re not sold on the energy efficiency and you’re not sold on the smart technology, here’s the icing on the cake: the Boldr Kelvin is easily the best looking heater on the market, because it’s the only heater that looks nothing like a heater. It’s an ultra-thin, flat glass panel (available in white or black) that mounts directly to the wall, and in truth, looks more like a contemporary art piece than an actual heater. Installation is quick and easy – the heater plugs into any standard outlet and connects wirelessly to the app and thermostat – with all mounting hardware included. The best part? Once installed, you’ll forget you even have a heater in the room, because it’s so brilliantly designed.
Ultimately, it boils down to this: if you’re tired of dusty, inefficient, loud, or ugly heaters; or you simply are looking for the most natural, energy efficient electric heater on the market, you need the Boldr Kelvin. It embodies what smart home technology should be, offering comfortable warmth on demand, silent operation, drastically improved energy efficiency, and a design that blends into your home’s aesthetic. I loved my first Kelvin so much I bought two more, and I can tell you unequivocally that my home has never been more comfortable.
You can learn more about the Kelvin as well as the smart thermostat at the official Boldr website.
Before you go, I did something that I almost never do: I was so blown away by the Kelvin that I reached out to Boldr and told them I was writing this article, because I love when companies disrupt long established segments. I had a few questions they were kind enough to answer, so here’s an exclusive look at Boldr’s vision and the making of the Kelvin.
- Boldr’s visual approach feels more architectural than appliance. What aesthetic principles shaped the design of the Kelvin panel and what emotional experience did you want it to create inside a home?
From the beginning, our goal was to make Kelvin feel like part of the home’s architecture – not an appliance that takes up space or draws attention. The panel is intentionally thin and flat, almost like a sheet of glass, so it visually recedes into the wall rather than competing with the interior. Customers often choose the white color as most walls are white, so Kelvin blends seamlessly into the background.
Just as important, we wanted homeowners to feel proud of the product. Traditional space heaters are often plastic, bulky, and something people try to hide. Kelvin is built from premium materials like glass and aluminum, giving it the longevity and design integrity of a permanent fixture rather than a seasonal gadget.
- When people first live with infrared heat, the experience is noticeably different – warmer, quieter, more comfortable. What sensations or user reactions do you hear most often from first-time Kelvin owners?
The most common reaction we hear is surprise at how quiet the experience is. Infrared heat requires no fan, so there’s none of the typical whooshing or humming associated with forced-air or convection heaters. Homeowners describe the warmth as more natural, exactly the same as the feeling of sunshine on the skin. It’s comfortable, steady, and instantly relaxing.
- How important was simplicity in the setup and daily use? What decisions did you make to ensure the system feels effortless rather than “tech-heavy” or complicated?
Simplicity is one of Boldr’s core design principles. Wherever possible, we remove steps, clutter, and unnecessary complexity. Everything from the first moment someone encounters Kelvin to the moment they turn it on has been intentionally optimized for speed and ease.
There are no confusing manuals or overengineered controls. Every Boldr product is fully DIY, installable and onboardable in under five minutes, with an intuitive interface that lets users focus on comfort rather than technology. In fact, our goal is for homeowners to set their preferred comfort settings once and let the Boldr platform handle the rest. We design our system so that users interact with the app as little as possible while still enjoying a perfectly optimized home climate.
- Minimalism is shaping modern interiors, where do you see Kelvin fitting into current and future design trends? Do you design in-house or collaborate with designers or architects on visual integration?
Kelvin’s design is intentionally timeless. Minimalism isn’t a passing trend, it’s the direction modern interiors have been moving for decades, and we expect that to continue. Its slim, architectural presence integrates effortlessly into both contemporary and traditional spaces.
We design the product entirely in-house, but we frequently collaborate with architects, especially those focused on sustainable, energy-efficient homes to ensure they incorporate Kelvin into their projects and that it does support their vision for clean, modern living.
- Infrared heating is unfamiliar to many American homeowners. How do you explain, in the simplest terms, why it is more energy-efficient and healthier than forced air or convection-based systems?
Infrared heat is one of the most natural forms of warmth humans experience. It’s the same type of heat your body emits and the same radiant warmth you feel from the sun. Another good example of infrared heat are the red light heaters you encounter outside bars, which keep you warm even though the air temperature around you can be quite cold. This direct delivery of heat allows homeowners to turn down the thermostat a few degrees and feel the same level of comfort as with traditional convection space heaters. With every degree you turn down your thermostat, you save up to 13% on energy bills.
- Can you walk us through the environmental philosophy behind Boldr? From materials to manufacturing, what practices make Kelvin a cleaner or more responsible choice?
Kelvin is built to last – not to be thrown out. We use high-quality materials like aluminum and glass instead of plastics that break down after a season or two. This longer lifespan alone makes Kelvin a responsible choice.
Beyond materials, Kelvin is an intelligent product. Its smart features help people reduce energy waste, automate their home climate, and increase comfort without unnecessary consumption. Durability, sustainable materials and energy saving intelligence is the foundation of our environmental strategy.
- Many companies talk about sustainability as a concept. For Boldr, what does sustainability look like as a measurable reality – reduced energy consumption, lower emissions, longer product lifespan?
In the short term, Kelvin helps homeowners immediately reduce energy waste through smarter, more energy saving heating. In the long term, Boldr’s vision is far broader: we’re building a full residential energy management platform. Our goal is to help households connect all their energy devices – EVs, home batteries, solar, and HVAC – to create homes that interact intelligently with the energy grid. This makes the grid cleaner and more resilient while reducing emissions at scale.
- As electrification and net-zero design become the new standard, what role do you see Kelvin playing in future-ready, low-carbon homes?
Heat pumps are the gold standard for efficiency, but the reality is that installing one often requires a $15,000–$20,000 investment. Kelvin offers an accessible alternative for homeowners who want an energy saving, intelligent, all-electric heating solution without the major financial or construction commitment.
As electrification becomes mainstream, Kelvin provides a flexible, affordable stepping stone toward low-carbon, future-ready homes.
- Looking ahead, what does the next few years of Boldr look like? Are you envisioning a broader ecosystem of comfort and wellness driven products, or is the focus on refining Kelvin into the global standard for clean, efficient heat?
Over the next few years, Boldr will expand far beyond Kelvin. Our mission is to build a complete residential energy operating system – one platform that allows homeowners to manage comfort, efficiency, and all energy devices in their homes.
A major milestone coming soon is the Boldr Thermostat, designed to rival and surpass industry leaders like Google Nest and Ecobee. It will be the first and only smart thermostat universally compatible with all HVAC systems in the United States – from gas furnaces and multi-stage heat pumps to geothermal systems, ductless mini-splits, PTACs, and even window A/Cs. Instead of requiring different controls for different systems, Boldr provides one thermostat that controls everything.
You can learn more about the Kelvin as well as the smart thermostat at the official Boldr website.
