A space heater is a great addition to your overall home heating plan. Used strategically, space heaters can provide spot heating that raises your comfort level without adding significantly to your wintertime energy bill.The main drawback for any type of auxiliary heating is understanding how to use it safely. More than 18,000 home fires are caused annually because of improper use of space heaters. Read on, and learn about the types of auxiliary heating that are available, and how to use these appliances safely.
What Type of Space Heater for Your Home?
Choose from several types of auxiliary heating available in the marketplace.
Conductive — This type includes electric space heaters, which use heating elements, made of mica or chromium/nickel, to convert electricity into heat. These are portable and easy to move around.
Radiant — These commonly circulate oil through pipes, radiating heat outward and are good for small spaces. Radiant heat may also be generated by combustion-powered units, which should be vented for safety when used indoors.
Convection — These use elements to heat air, which is sometimes circulated by a fan. They heat quietly, with the heat persisting for a long time. Convection heaters may be heavy and are therefore not really portable.
Employ these tips for safe use of your heating units:
Buy a heater controlled by a thermostat, with guards over heating coils, sensors to shut down the unit if it tips, a grounded, three-prong plug, cold-touch surface to prevent burns and internal sensors to prevent overheating.
Position auxiliary heating away from foot traffic and on level surfaces away from combustible materials.
Never place anything on top of auxiliary heating.
Plug auxiliary heating directly into the wall, never into an extension cord.
Unplug heaters when not in use.
Get rid of the heater if it trips the circuit breaker or is missing knobs, guard, controls or feet, or if the cord is frayed.
Avoid using electrical heaters in a room where they may come in contact with water.
Want more expert advice about using a space heater? Contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about space heaters and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “brian-a-jackson/Shutterstock”