Turn Up the Heat
By Erik J. Martin
Maybe your furnace is out. Perhaps you're busy at work in a chilly garage or office. Or you want to turn down your thermostat but keep one room nice and toasty. For these and other scenarios, a portable electric-powered space heater sure comes in handy at home or at work.
Many portable electric heaters employ fan-forced convection heat—circulating air in an interior space—while others use radiant heat in the form of infrared radiation that directly warms people and objects in front of it. Regardless of the technology, the important thing to remember is that electric-powered portables are the only unvented space heaters safe to use indoors. That's because they don't fill your living space with undesirable combustion products like carbon monoxide, which can be generated by liquid-fueled heaters.
But their compact size and convenience come with a tradeoff: Extra diligence and careful operation are required to prevent fires, injuries and property damage.
Three feet from the heat
The most significant risk to safety is placing electric heaters too close to combustible materials like bedding, furniture, drapes, carpets or clothing, says Costco member John Drengenberg, consumer safety director for Northbrook, Illinois–based Underwriters Laboratories, which tests many of these devices.
"Keep these materials at least 3 feet away from the heater, and prevent anything from getting too close and blocking the release of heat. This could overheat the motor, switch or the wires and cause a fire," Drengenberg says. "Also, never drape garments like a hat, gloves or pants over a space heater. These units are designed to heat a space, not dry clothes."
Likewise, be aware of what is above and around the heater. "You want to minimize the likelihood of having something fall on the heater, like a blanket, that could create an overheat situation or a fire," says Bob Soden, a Costco member and sales director for Vornado Air, an Andover, Kansas–based maker of portable heaters.
Be the adult in the room
Kids and pets are particularly vulnerable to injuries or damage caused by a portable heater. "Children and pets are unpredictable, so you want to keep a kid-free and pet-free zone around the space heater," says Lisa Braxton, associate project manager for the National Fire Protection Association, in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Drengenberg agrees. "Don't operate a space heater in a room with a nearby child in a crib or playpen or an enclosed pet like a dog in a crate. They can become overheated while confined."
For these and other reasons, never leave a working portable heater unattended. "Always remain in the room when a space heater is operating," says Braxton, who advises turning off the heater before going to sleep or leaving the room or house.
Plug into safety
Electrical fires can also be avoided with the right precautions. "Never plug heaters into extension cords or power strips, as this puts too much resistance on the power draw, raising the temperature at the plug," Soden says. "And understand the electrical capacity of your residence; old wiring or electrical work that's not up to modern standards can be a driver in heater malfunctions."
To prevent shocks or electrocution, never try to open the housing on the device and repair it yourself, and keep it indoors and away from water. "If it gets wet, unplug it immediately," says Drengenberg.
Use with caution and confidence
Aaron Liscomb, an electrician and president of Mr. Electric in Mount Plea-sant, Michigan, says it's important to remember a space heater's limitations. "They should never be used as a primary or permanent source of heat," he notes.
Nevertheless, when operated properly (see sidebar on page 57), a plug-in portable heater can be a prized appliance in a pinch.
"They're great as a supplementary heating source," Liscomb says, "as long as the heater is rated and listed for the use you intend and it's being used in a safe and responsible manner."
Costco member Erik J. Martin is a Chicago area–based freelance writer. Read his blog at martinspiration.blogspot.com.
The Costco Connection >
Maybe your furnace is out. Perhaps you're busy at work in a chilly garage or office. Or you want to turn down your thermostat but keep one room nice and toasty. For these and other scenarios, a portable electric-powered space heater sure comes in handy at home or at work.
Many portable electric heaters employ fan-forced convection heat—circulating air in an interior space—while others use radiant heat in the form of infrared radiation that directly warms people and objects in front of it. Regardless of the technology, the important thing to remember is that electric-powered portables are the only unvented space heaters safe to use indoors. That's because they don't fill your living space with undesirable combustion products like carbon monoxide, which can be generated by liquid-fueled heaters.
But their compact size and convenience come with a tradeoff: Extra diligence and careful operation are required to prevent fires, injuries and property damage.
Three feet from the heat
The most significant risk to safety is placing electric heaters too close to combustible materials like bedding, furniture, drapes, carpets or clothing, says Costco member John Drengenberg, consumer safety director for Northbrook, Illinois–based Underwriters Laboratories, which tests many of these devices.
"Keep these materials at least 3 feet away from the heater, and prevent anything from getting too close and blocking the release of heat. This could overheat the motor, switch or the wires and cause a fire," Drengenberg says. "Also, never drape garments like a hat, gloves or pants over a space heater. These units are designed to heat a space, not dry clothes."
Likewise, be aware of what is above and around the heater. "You want to minimize the likelihood of having something fall on the heater, like a blanket, that could create an overheat situation or a fire," says Bob Soden, a Costco member and sales director for Vornado Air, an Andover, Kansas–based maker of portable heaters.
Be the adult in the room
Kids and pets are particularly vulnerable to injuries or damage caused by a portable heater. "Children and pets are unpredictable, so you want to keep a kid-free and pet-free zone around the space heater," says Lisa Braxton, associate project manager for the National Fire Protection Association, in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Drengenberg agrees. "Don't operate a space heater in a room with a nearby child in a crib or playpen or an enclosed pet like a dog in a crate. They can become overheated while confined."
For these and other reasons, never leave a working portable heater unattended. "Always remain in the room when a space heater is operating," says Braxton, who advises turning off the heater before going to sleep or leaving the room or house.
Plug into safety
Electrical fires can also be avoided with the right precautions. "Never plug heaters into extension cords or power strips, as this puts too much resistance on the power draw, raising the temperature at the plug," Soden says. "And understand the electrical capacity of your residence; old wiring or electrical work that's not up to modern standards can be a driver in heater malfunctions."
To prevent shocks or electrocution, never try to open the housing on the device and repair it yourself, and keep it indoors and away from water. "If it gets wet, unplug it immediately," says Drengenberg.
Use with caution and confidence
Aaron Liscomb, an electrician and president of Mr. Electric in Mount Plea-sant, Michigan, says it's important to remember a space heater's limitations. "They should never be used as a primary or permanent source of heat," he notes.
Nevertheless, when operated properly (see sidebar on page 57), a plug-in portable heater can be a prized appliance in a pinch.
"They're great as a supplementary heating source," Liscomb says, "as long as the heater is rated and listed for the use you intend and it's being used in a safe and responsible manner."
Costco member Erik J. Martin is a Chicago area–based freelance writer. Read his blog at martinspiration.blogspot.com.
The Costco Connection >
How to choose and use an electric space heater
- Buy a newer-model device that carries a UL-listed mark, indicating that it meets their safety requirements.
- Select a unit with current safety features, including:
- Tip-over safety switch.
- Overheat protection.
- Auto shutoff.
- Adjustable thermostat.
- Element guard. - Choose a device properly sized for the room you intend to heat.
- Read and follow the manufacturer's operating instructions carefully.
- Set the heater on a level surface away from curtains and foot traffic.
- Keep the cord away from the heat, and occasionally inspect the cord and plug for damage.
- Dust off and lightly clean the unit's surface regularly to improve efficiency and decrease fire risks.
—EJM
The Costco Connection
Costco members will find a variety of space heaters in the warehouses and on Costco.com. All of the heaters carried at Costco are independently tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and feature a full complement of safety features, including:
- Tip-over safety protection. A safety tip-over switch turns the heater off if it tips over or is positioned in an improper way that could jeopardize safety.
- Overheat protection. A safety device switches the heater off if it accidentally overheats (e.g., if air intake and outlet grilles are obstructed or a filter is clogged).
- Cool-touch housing. Safe to touch even on high heat setting.