Space heaters are great for a little extra warming in hard-to-heat spaces, as long as you keep safety and cost in mind. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that space heaters are the cause of 25,000 residential fires every year. Knowing the risk and following sensible safety guidelines when using space heaters can help you stay safe – and warm – in your home.
In addition to the heightened safety precautions a space heater will also raise your electric costs. A 1,500-watt space heater running on high will use 1.5 KWH per hour, which costs about 20 cents. That might not seem like much, but just multiply 20 cents by 24 hours. That’s $5 per day, or nearly $150/month! Add to that the increased electrical costs we see every winter from using additional lights to brighten the dark evenings and the power used to run the furnace blower each time the heat kicks on, and for some residents winter heating bills can surpass the cooling costs in summer
If you do want to use a space heater, follow these safety tips:
Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable items and objects, such as papers or curtains.
Avoid leaving a space heater unattended for long periods of time, especially around children and pets.
Place space heaters on low, flat surfaces – preferably on the floor.
Avoid plugging a space heater into an extension cord or power strip – instead, plug it directly into the wall. It is also recommended that you keep the space heater away from the wall to avoid overheating.
Do not place space heaters in potentially wet locations, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
If you’re using a propane or gas-fired space heater, don’t operate it in an unventilated area. These should only be used in places like a garage or outdoor shop.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP
Remember, space heaters ONLY cut down on energy bills if you turn down the thermostat for the whole house. They’re best used when you’re spending time in one room of your home for a short period of time.
