Do winter's frigid days leave you wishing for toasty warmth? Many homeowners wonder if using portable space heaters with central heating is a safe way to stay comfortable in freezing conditions. The thought of maximizing your main heating capabilities with space heating is understandable if you have a poorly insulated home. However, you should consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.
Can Furnaces and Space Heaters Work Together?
Your furnace system is a comprehensive heating solution that distributes heat evenly through air ducts and vents. In contrast, electric heaters deliver supplemental heat by targeting particular areas. While this combination can make sense for brief periods, relying too heavily on your space heater all winter may prevent you from noticing underlying issues that indicate the need for furnace repair or a new, energy-efficient furnace installation.
How Much Electricity Do Electric Heaters Use?
Space heater power consumption and wattage vary widely. If you've wisely kept up with regular furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely raise your bills instead of reducing them. Proactively addressing thermal loss by replacing old insulation and air sealing materials typically delivers better results than combining a patchwork of solutions.
Precautions to Take When Using a Portable Space Heater With Your Furnace
Safety should always be a primary consideration in your household. Portable heaters can create safety dangers if you put them too close to combustible materials, so always maintain adequate spacing. Look for models with tip-over and overheat protection to reduce risks. Be mindful of electrical load and power requirements, since straining circuits can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your air circulation to ensure you don't expose your family to increased toxic gas hazards when running your heat for months.
Potential Benefits of Supplemental Heaters
Room heaters provide customized warmth by quickly warming rooms that feel colder than others. However, modern smart thermostats and temperature scheduling or zoning often achieve the same effect even more safely and efficiently. With advanced thermostat programming, you can fine-tune heating schedules, reduce utility costs and even improve indoor air quality at lower temps without relying on additional appliances.
Avoid these mistakes when using space heaters alongside your furnace:
- Relying solely on space heaters to replace your central heating
- Using obsolete heaters that lack modern protective mechanisms
- Heater positioning that blocks airflow from heating registers
- Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the intended room
Alternatives to Space Heaters for Additional Warmth
You don't have to use various heaters or keep lugging a heater around different rooms in your home. These solutions often outperform space heaters in efficiency and safety:
- Zone control systems for specific area heating
- Installing a modern, high-efficiency furnace for better energy efficiency
- Improving weatherization to reduce energy waste
Balancing Cost-Effectiveness and Protection
Pairing a portable heater with your furnace can provide temporary comfort, but it's no substitute for investing in professional furnace maintenance and long-term solutions like improved insulation. For lasting warmth, savings and security, focus on keeping your furnace in optimal working order and exploring modern upgrades that deliver comprehensive warmth with fewer risks.