The duration for which you can leave a space heater running depends on the time of day and your specific needs. During the Day: It's safe to leave your heater on for 6-8 hours if you're in the room. If you're busy or moving between rooms, consider using a timer to automatically shut it off after a few hours.
Recommended Usage Times. During the Day: It's generally safe to run your space heater for 6 to 8 hours during the day while you're home and active.
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.
Using the heater too often could lead to undesirable consequences like leaving out skin or nasal passages dried out. It Can Cause Carbon Monoxide Poisoning-It's important to keep your space heater in good working order so you don't have any accidents or health problems.
Never leave a space heater running for long periods of time, and especially not overnight; it is best to use them intermittently; depending on your situation, a suggested practice would be to turn it off/unplug it for 10 minutes every hour if you depend on its use for longer periods.
It isn't bad to run your heating system on a 24/7 basis if outdoor weather conditions demand indoor warmth. For many households, maintaining a constant indoor temperature is the only way to survive the winter. Just be aware that this is likely to cause additional wear and tear on your heating system.
If you have an electric heater or an old, non-condensing boiler, we recommend not leaving them on forever. That's because electricity heaters can be expensive to run, so turning them on and off will help.
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).
Space Heater Recalls
Industrial recalls 8,500 electric garage heaters due to the potential of the heating element overheating and causing a fire hazard. Dyson recalled 338,000 bladeless portable heaters in the U.S. and 43,000 in Canada due to a potential short that could cause the unit to overheat and cause a fire.
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.
You Should Not Leave Space Heaters on Unattended
Electric heaters of any type are unsafe to leave running overnight because they carry a significant amount of risk.
The good news is that modern infrared heaters are very safe to use even when left unattended during the night, even while you are sleeping.
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.
It can lead to dry throats, congestion, and increased breathing difficulties. People with respiratory conditions may experience more frequent symptoms, making it harder to breathe and causing discomfort. Sleep quality: Excessive heat and dry air can disrupt sleep by making it difficult to regulate body temperature.
Never leave a space heater running when you're asleep or when you leave the area. Locate the heater at least three feet away from bedding, furniture and drapes, or where towels or other fabrics could fall on it and start a fire.
Space heaters can take anywhere from 750 watts to 3,000 watts to operate. Large space heaters take immense amounts of energy to run. However, those are most likely used only in commercial and industrial settings. The average residential space heater has two main heat settings, low and high.
Safer Operation
Ductless mini-split systems are generally safer than space heaters. First, they don't get hot to the touch, reducing the risk of the unit burning anyone. Because it is transferring air or using a heat strip, there is little danger in any way.
Most home heating deaths happened because a space heater was too close to furniture, clothing, mattresses, or bedding. Make sure your heater is at least three feet from anything that can burn.
Ideally you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18 °C. This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. Having room temperatures slightly over 18 °C could be good for your health.
But they can also pose a safety risk no matter where you use them. Portable space heaters were involved in an average of 1,700 house fires a year from 2017 to 2019, according to the most recent statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These fires resulted in an average of 70 deaths annually.
Maintained Comfortable Room Temperature:
By leaving your heating on overnight, you can maintain a consistent and comfortable room temperature, keeping you and your family warm all night. This can result in better sleep, better health, and a more pleasant living environment.
The duration for which you can leave a space heater running depends on the time of day and your specific needs. During the Day: It's safe to leave your heater on for 6-8 hours if you're in the room. If you're busy or moving between rooms, consider using a timer to automatically shut it off after a few hours.
Fires are one of the biggest risks associated with leaving electric heaters on all night. If an electric heater has frayed wiring or malfunctions, then there is a high chance of it igniting.
This can “cause headaches, fatigue and just not feeling right”, Cowl says. Meanwhile, warm spaces can cause your heart rate to decrease and make you feel less energetic, Durant explains. Heated air is also dry, which can lead to dehydration.