Heating Alternatives

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

Place the space heater on the floor to ensure proper use.

In Iowa, Mid-American Energy Co. has made a statement to its customers that they should expect their heating bills for natural gas to rise 46% to 96% over last year due to the rising has costs. Consumers who use propane for their heating source should expect their heating cost to rise 69% over the previous year. Consumers might feel the need to find heating alternatives such as space heaters. 

Dangers of Space Heaters

The Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that space heaters are the leading cause of a thousand house fires each year. Space heaters will be used as a heating alternative, but you must be using them correctly. By following these tips, you will ensure not putting yourself at risk of a house fire. 

• Keep space heater on the floor:

We get it; during a middle of a snowstorm, you might want to feel an overwhelming amount of warmth. When trying to save some money, you might want to move your space heater onto a counter next to you. Moving heaters isn’t wise because you might get the temperature of the counter to an unsafe level. Would you mind refraining from moving the heaters in this manner by keeping them on the ground, free from any flammable fabrics/items?

• Keep away from water:

Hopefully, we all know that water and electricity don’t go together, and this is the case with water and space heaters. Keep in mind the placement location as kitchens and bathrooms aren’t suitable places for space heaters. 

• Plug directly into the wall:

Many space heater fires start when the consumer plugs in onto an extension cord. Cords aren’t the best decision because people will try and cover the cord with a rug. When you add an extension cord into the mix, you add extra electrical connections, increasing your chance of creating resistances. When you create a more significant resistance, the more energy, heat, and the rug you placed over to cover up the cord is now getting heated. It’s when that rug gets to an unsafe heat level that it becomes a problem. When plugging the space heater directly into the wall, you will want to do 3 feet away check. Make sure that nothing flammable is in that 3-foot radius that could catch fire. 

With the projected increase in heating sources, we understand the appeal of having space heaters. These are great alternatives when you use them properly, so make sure you follow these big tips to ensure you have a safe, warm winter season.