It's important to know where to place a space heater to maximize its efficiency. The heater should be placed in such a way as to emit heat directly at you, for example, in front of your chair, rather than behind the furniture.
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.
To maximize the efficiency of a space heater, it is important to place it where air can circulate freely. Avoid placing it in corners, behind furniture, or under curtains. Safety: Space heaters should always be placed on a level, stable surface, away from flammable materials such as curtains, bedding, and furniture.
Electric heaters work best when they heat up a confined space, such as the area around a desk or a reading chair. Take a look around your room and decide where your heater will be most useful. It may also help to choose an area that can be closed off by doors, so you can better trap in the heat.
At least 3 feet of clearance must be maintained around the heater at all times. Combustible materials like paper, plastic, and cloth must be kept away from the heater. Electric cords must be kept out of foot traffic paths to prevent tripping.
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.
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.
About 35% of the heat will escape through the walls and through gaps, in and around windows and doors, and about 10% of heat will disappear through the floor. Taking action to make sure your home is energy efficient has many benefits. For your pocket, for your comfort and for the environment.
Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition before using a space heater. Place the heater out of high-traffic areas and on a level, hard, non-flammable floor surface—NOT on carpets, furniture, or countertops. Never use them to thaw pipes, cook food, or dry clothing or towels.
Space heaters can't sit on any surface that can easily scorch or catch on fire. That means you can never place one on a carpet or rug.
Place it somewhere safe
For example, never place your space heater near flammable materials such as bedding and curtains. Also be sure to keep your heater out of bathrooms, as moisture can damage the unit. And finally, choose an area that is protected from small children and pets.
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).
Keep your heater out of your pets' or young children's reach. Place it somewhere high, beyond the reach of curious noses and hands. If you can't elevate your heater, make sure it is sufficiently fenced-in to keep pets and people from getting too near. Don't leave a space heater unattended.
4. Mounting on a wall. Panel heaters should generally be mounted minimum 10 cm from the floor and have 10 cm clear space in front to other objects, such as a sofa. You will find a template and mounting guide in the lid of the packaging with clear instructions on how to mount the heater on a wall.
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.
These appliances are intended to sit on the floor, not on a table. Establish a 3-foot kid- and pet-free zone around the heater, and never put a space heater in a child's room. Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains.
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.
A space heater should be kept at least three feet away from walls, furniture, or any flammable objects. This distance allows proper airflow, reduces overheating risks, and ensures safety. Avoid placing the heater near curtains, bedding, or other materials that can catch fire easily.
For starters, you can cover windows with an awning, shutters, or insulated curtains. In addition to installing an oversized ceiling fan or using floor fans, you can also try energy-efficient lightbulbs or heat-proofing your bed.
An estimated 25% of all heat loss occurs through the attic or roof of a home. Cracks or holes in an attic, along with improperly placed vents, allow for significant amounts of heat loss through the attic space. In addition, improper ventilation in attics leads to even more heat escaping.
Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.
Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you're leaving a room or going to sleep, and don't let pets or children play too close to a space heater. Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
At Night: If you choose to use your space heater overnight, it's best to limit its operation to 4 to 6 hours on a lower setting.