Having a space heater on hand can be a lifesaver, especially during cold Canadian winters. They can serve to quickly and efficiently heat up a room or open area of the house that struggles to maintain its warmth because of the house’s layout, large nearby windows, low occupancy, or for any number of other reasons.
Generating heat is no small task, however, and it always carries some sort of safety risk. Space heaters, in particular, are constantly the culprit in several burn cases, incidents of property damage, and tragic losses of life from house fires. These are just some of the reasons why It’s important to take precautions when integrating them into the home.
Today we want to give you a few tips about electric space heaters so that you can safely use one in your home. But first, let’s look at two of the most commonly used types, radiant, and convection.
Convection Space Heaters vs. Radiant Space Heaters
Convection heaters produce heat that rises to the top of the room and pushes cold air to the bottom. This causes circulation and eventually warms the room as heat distributes itself more evenly. Convection heaters typically use a fan to help speed up this process as well.
Radiant heaters work to warm up people and objects more directly by actually exposing them to a heating element. This provides quick heat if you are close by, but it is not as efficient at heating up a whole room and is easier to burn yourself on because of the exposed element.
Can You Leave a Space Heater On All Night?
It is not recommended that you leave a space heater on overnight or for prolonged periods during the day (while you’re at work, for example). These units are not good at modulating room temperature long-term and shouldn’t be used as a replacement for your home’s central heating system.
Looking to upgrade your home heating system? Contact the experts at D&B ClimateCare for help!
Can I Plug a Space Heater into an Extension Cord?
No. Extension cords and power bars are not manufactured to handle the extra energy requirements of an electric space heater. Using them could lead to overheating and a severely increased risk of fire. Always plug your space heater directly into a wall outlet.
Can I Use a Space Heater Under My Desk?
In general, it is not a good idea. You want to keep space heaters away from any combustible materials such as boxes, files, trash, and even clothing. There is also the risk with metal desks of heating the surfaces to unsafe temperatures. There are some space heaters specifically designed to be used under desks that have mitigated some of these risks.
Need Help Heating Your Home?
D&B ClimateCare is here for all your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning needs. We are part of a trusted network of local businesses spread across Ontario. Give us a call or send us a message online to find out how we can keep your home comfortable all season long!
