Electric space heaters can be used safely, but they are not the safest option for staying warm when the temperature drops. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters account for 43% of home heating fires and 85% of home heating deaths. They can also be a hazard in the workplace.
Unfortunately, they can pose significant fire and electric shock hazards if not used properly. Fire and electrical hazards can be caused by space heaters without adequate safety features, space heaters placed near combustibles, or space heaters that are improperly plugged in.
Running a space heater overnight increases the risk of fire. If the unit is left unattended or placed too close to flammable materials, such as curtains or bedding, it can ignite and lead to a devastating fire.
Vented and Unvented Combustion Small Space Heaters
They may also bring unwanted nitrogen oxide into the home; nitrogen oxide can cause asthma and other respiratory problems. These heaters can also introduce water vapor into the home, which can result in mold and other structural damage.
Absolutely. The US Department of Energy records about 25,000 house fires every year that are linked to a space heater fire. Many result in trips to the emergency room, with more than 300 fatalities each year. Property damage from these fires can be devastating, requiring extensive professional fire damage restoration.
While it's not recommended to leave any space heater on if you're not monitoring it, oil-filled, radiant space heaters are considered safer than ceramic convection (hot air) types, according to Roberson. Both of these options are safer than open-coil heaters.
One of the most common ways a space heater can cause a fire is by tipping over. Other ways are overheating, or being placed too close to flammable items like curtains. Portable space heaters can get very hot and ignite nearby objects, by either tipping over or being in close proximity to these objects.
Overusing the heater or using an oversized heater can result in elevated levels of carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide fumes in the air. These fumes can cause cold or flu-like symptoms, headaches, and eye, nose and throat irritation. Don't use these heaters as your main heat source, even during power failures.
Convection heaters, such as oil column or panel heaters, are your best choice for a heater you're going to leave on all night – their gentle convection heating is conducive to an easy night's sleep, and they don't get as hot as other types of heaters so they're safer to touch (they compensate for this with the larger ...
During the Day: It's safe to leave your heater on for 6-8 hours if you're in the room.
If a space heater falls over or becomes too hot from running for too long of a period of time, that can lead to a fast-moving fire that occurs while you are asleep and cannot act fast enough. We do not recommend using space heaters at all because of this risk, but you definitely should not use them at night.
Put your space heater on the floor and leave it there
And definitely don't put it on top of your bed, with all those flammable fabrics and feathery fillings. If at all possible, keep it off the rug, too. Generally speaking, you should always place your space heater on the flattest, smoothest surface available.
Using a space heater can be a good way to boost the temperature in a small, drafty room—and it could be less expensive than cranking up your central heating system. But a space heater is economical only if you use it judiciously.
Long-term exposure to dry, warm air produced by room heaters can cause irritation to the eyes and skin. This can lead to redness, itching, and discomfort.
If you use a space heater in your home, please be aware that using a space heater can cause a significant increase in your monthly bill. A 1,000-watt space heater operating 12 hours a day will add about $40 to your monthly bill. If the cost does not deter you, remember how important it is to use space heaters safely.
A near zero EMF heat emitter is a device that uses infrared radiation to heat a room while emitting very low levels of electromagnetic radiation. Unlike traditional space heaters that emit high levels of EMFs, near zero EMF heat emitters are designed to emit radiation levels that are considered safe for human exposure.
No, electric room heaters do not produce carbon monoxide, making them a safer option for indoor heating. How can I ensure my heater is safe to use? Regular maintenance, checking for gas leaks, and installing carbon monoxide detectors will help ensure your heater's safety.
Overall, central heating is usually more efficient and safe than relying on space heaters.
Electric space heaters can be used safely, but they are not the safest option for staying warm when the temperature drops. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters account for 43% of home heating fires and 85% of home heating deaths. They can also be a hazard in the workplace.
While they effectively raise the temperature, they also tend to overheat the space. It means that warm, dehumidified air can dry out your nasal passages, creating it uncomfortable to breathe and potentially causing health issues.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), at least 430 people die annually in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. While electric space heaters do not produce carbon monoxide (CO), non-electric space heaters (propane gas, natural gas, kerosene, wood) can if incomplete combustion occurs.
Oil filled radiator space heaters are some of the safest on the market. 1500W is all the juice an outlet will provide (Roughly 5,000 btus).
A common misconception is that only fuel-burning heaters pose a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. However, improper ventilation of electrical space heaters can also lead to dangerous CO levels.
A normal 1500-watt space heater will draw 12.5 amps when turned on HIGH, and if you are plugging into a 15-amp circuit in your house, you are close to that circuit threshold. If other items are plugged into that same circuit, you are adding more load, feasibly resulting in overloading the circuit.