Space heaters have long been part of home heating, but, these can be very dangerous. In fact, there are some 25,000 residential fires and more than 300 deaths every year, resulting from the use of space heaters, according to figures compiled by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Electric, propane, and gas space heaters certainly help to warm a room, but, the danger these units pose cannot be understated. These units can cause electrical fires and have been known to cause burns on people.
Space Heater Alternatives for Your Home
Fortunately, there are alternative heat sources for you home. Before you start purchasing and installing heating apparatuses, you should first have an energy audit conducted. There are some things you can easily do on your own. First, check every window and exterior doors. The caulk and weatherstripping are key to keeping the elements from entering into your home. You can also upgrade your insulation to make your home more comfortable and save energy every month.
A variety of technologies are available for heating your house. In addition to furnaces and boilers, heating options include wood and pellet heaters, active solar heating, and heat pumps, which are used for both heating and cooling. In addition, a combination of proper insulation, air sealing, and energy-efficient windows and doors will help ensure that your home is both comfortable and energy efficient. —United States Department of Energy
With temperatures dipping into the low 50’s and even falling into the 40’s overnight, you’ll need ways to keep your home warm, especially over the next few months. While space heaters have been a go-to heating source for many years, there are alternatives, like the following:
- Reverse ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can be set to help heat a room. By reversing the blade direction, instead of spreading cool air, ceiling fans gently circulate the heat that’s otherwise trapped near the ceiling. While this won’t actually heat a room, it will lessen the need for turning on your HVAC system.
- Use fireplace inserts. If you have a fireplace in your home, try fireplace inserts. These can be used in brick or stone masonry fireplace and chimney, but, are not recommended for wood burning fireplaces and are not at all compatible with gas fireplaces.
- Bake meals in the oven. One way to heat common living areas is to bake meals in the oven. The radiant heat will circulate out of the kitchen to nearby spaces to help keep people warm. What’s more, you’ll have a delicious meal to enjoy.
- Install a toe-kick heater system. These handy heating systems are installed under kitchen cabinets, under bathroom vanities, and stair treads. These units are typically controlled with a thermostat and seamlessly fit into hidden spaces.
In addition, you should have your home HVAC system checked and tuned for optimal comfort and less energy use. As these systems age, they need attention to operate at peak capacity from time to time. You can also install a programmable thermostat or purchase and install a smart thermostat to help keep you comfortable and use less energy to heat your home.
