A space heater can be a real boost to your budget and to your comfort during the winter — if you use it safely. Have cold spots in your home? A space heater can help warm you up so you don’t have to raise the thermostat for the furnace just to correct a localized problem.
But space heaters require some diligence whenever they are used. Following are some safe practices.
Types of Space Heater
Space heaters are likely to be either electric powered or combustion powered. They heat by the following means;
Convection — These heat air as it contacts heating elements, generating heat slowly and quietly. Some have fans to circulate heat.
Radiant — These circulate oil through connecting pipes to generate heat. The best choice for spot heating, such as warming the feet, they generate heat quickly. Fuel heaters use combustion from propane, natural gas or kerosene to generate heat. Quartz and infrared heaters are also examples of radiant heating.
Conductive — Electric space heaters are an example. They use heating elements, made of mica or a combination of chromium and nickel.
Portable Heater Safety
Whichever type of heater you choose, practice safety. Look for the following features when you shop:
- Guard in front of the coils
- Automatic sensors and thermostats so the unit turns off if tipped
- Cold touch surface to prevent burns
- Internal sensors to prevent overheating
Some tips for safe use of auxiliary heating:
- Don’t use any heater that trips circuit breakers.
- Place heaters on a level surface, away from combustible materials.
- Get rid of heaters missing control knobs, feet or guards, or heaters with frayed cords.
- Never place anything on top of a space heater.
- Never plug auxiliary heaters in with an extension cord.
- Turn auxiliary heating off when not in use.
Also remember that with any type of combustion-powered heater, it must be properly vented or else only used out of doors and never in an enclosed space.
To learn more about space heater safety, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve Lorain and the surrounding area, including Elyria and Oberlin.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about space heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area