Heating your home during the winter can get expensive. Even if you have a reliable furnace that is kept in good condition and got all the necessary furnace maintenance throughout its lifespan, you might still feel a financial crunch when it’s time to pay your energy bill every month. The strategic use of space heaters may seem like a good way to offset those costs and provide a little extra warmth, but you need to be careful if you go this route. As wonderful as a space heater feels on a cold night, using one can get risky. If you’re going to rely on space heaters to stay warm this winter, here’s what you need to know.
Space Heater Safety Hazards
Fire is by far the biggest risk associated with space heaters. In fact, irresponsible space heater use is the cause of approximately 55,000 fires every year. All it takes to start a fire is for a space heater to be too close to something flammable such as clothing, a dry Christmas tree, or anything made of paper. Some heaters (such as oil-filled radiators and ceramic infrared heaters) are safer than others, but you still need to be aware of what is placed around them. Taller space heaters are especially dangerous since they can tip over and start a fire.
Space heaters also use a lot of electricity and can easily overload circuits. At the very least, this can cause your circuit breakers to trip. At worst, it can cause an electrical fire. An electric space heater can also present a shock hazard, especially if its power cord is frayed or otherwise damaged.
Finally, parts of space heaters get very hot to the touch. This is especially dangerous to small children and pets who might get too close to them without knowing how dangerous they are, but anyone can absentmindedly brush against a hot space heater and burn themselves or set loose-fitting clothing on fire.
Using Space Heaters Safely
All this isn’t meant to scare anyone away from using space heaters. In fact, a space heater can be a great thing to have on hand if you know how to use it properly. First of all, space heaters shouldn’t be used as your home’s primary source of heat. That is a job for your home’s heating system. If your furnace isn’t enough to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, we recommend having it serviced or replaced. Honey's Air & Solar provides a range of heating services, so call us if you notice issues in your home such as poor airflow, uneven temperatures, or inaccurate thermostat readings.
Even though your main source of heat should be your home’s furnace, you might still need to use a space heater if your heating system isn’t working properly or if you spend time in an unheated space such as a garage or cabin. When you need to use a space heater, keep it on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface. A concrete or tile floor is good, while carpet or hardwood should be avoided. You should also never place a space heater on a table since it makes it too easy to accidentally knock it over.
Your space heater should also have at least three feet of clearance on all sides. Not only will this help you avoid a potential fire hazard, but the heater itself will be more effective. This also means keeping your space heater away from children and pets. Never keep a space heater in a child’s room.
Finally, never leave a space heater turned on when it is unattended. Some space heaters may be safer than others, but they can still create a safety hazard when they are used improperly. Even if a space heater is unlikely to start a fire, It will still use a lot of electricity. If you forget that your heater is plugged in and turned on, you might turn on one too many appliances and overload a circuit in your home.
Call Honey's Air & Solar for Your Heating Needs
While space heaters may be effective in heating your home, you should still rely on your home’s heating system to keep warm whenever possible. If your furnace isn’t working properly or you need a new heating system installed, Honey's Air & Solar will be happy to assist you. We provide a wide range of heating and cooling services to homes in Modesto, CA and the surrounding areas, and we can make sure that your home is comfortable throughout the winter so that you don’t have to rely on space heaters.
For more information about our heating and cooling services, contact Honey's Air & Solar in Modesto today.
