Proper Ways to Use Space Heaters

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

When using a space heater as a heating alternative it's important that you use it properly.

In Iowa, Mid-American Energy Co. stated that this coming winter might have higher bills than previous years. The energy company said that natural gas will rise 46% to 96% from a year earlier. Consumers who use propane to heat their homes should expect their heating costs to grow 69% over last year. Consumers will more than likely have to look at heating alternatives to try, and we want to provide some tips, so you start a fire.

Dangers of Space Heaters

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has said that space heaters are the leading cause of thousands of house fires each year in the United States. When using space heaters as a heating alternative, you have to ensure that your using them correctly, especially if you live in an apartment or condo. 

•  Space heaters stay on the ground.

When it’s cold outside, all we want to do is stay inside and stay warm. This desire to feel warm is what gets many people in trouble when using space heaters. A lot of people will place the heater so that it blows directly on them. This is problematic as you put the heater in a position that it could heat up anything in a 3-foot radius of it. By keeping the space heater on the ground, you ensure that it doesn’t heat any flammable material/ fabric. 

• Keep away from water.

If you missed the electricity lesson from school, long story short, electricity and

water don’t go together. As you place the heater, you will want to ensure that it is on the ground, preferably not in the kitchen or bathroom. 

• Plug directly into the wall:

Many space heaters cause fires when the consumer starts to plug them into an extension cord. Cords aren’t ideal because most times, people will try and cover them with a rug. When someone adds an extension cord into the mix, it puts extra electrical connections, which increases your chance of creating resistances. When you create a significant resistance, the more heat and now the rug you just placed on top is getting heated. The space heater should be placed in a 3-foot radius away from any material or the wall. 

With the projected increase in natural gas costs this winter, we know consumers might invest their money into heating alternatives. We just ask that you safely use the product to ensure that it doesn’t create a fire.