Do winter’s cold days leave you wishing for cozy comfort? Many homeowners wonder if using space heaters with heating systems is a safe way to stay comfortable in frigid weather. The thought of maximizing your central heat capabilities with supplemental heat is understandable if you have a cold house. However, we recommend you consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.
Can Furnaces and Space Heaters Work Together?
Your furnace is a complete home heating solution that distributes heat evenly through air ducts and vents. In contrast, space heaters deliver additional warmth 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, high-efficiency furnace installation.
How Much Electricity Do Portable Heaters Use?
Space heater energy usage and wattage vary widely. If you’ve wisely kept up with seasonal furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely boost your expenses instead of reducing them. Proactively addressing heat loss by replacing old insulation and draft stoppers typically delivers better results than combining a patchwork of solutions.
Precautions to Take When Using a Portable Heater With Your Furnace
Safety should always be a top concern in your household. Portable heaters can create fire risks if you put them too close to combustible materials, so always maintain proper distances. Look for models with automatic shutoff mechanisms to reduce risks. Be mindful of breaker load and electrical limitations, since exceeding capacity can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your heating system vents to ensure you don’t expose your family to increased toxic gas hazards when running your heat for months.
Potential Benefits of Supplemental Heaters
Portable heaters provide personalized comfort by quickly warming rooms that feel colder than others. However, modern smart thermostats and thermostat setbacks or zoning often achieve the same effect even more safely and efficiently. With advanced thermostat programming, you can fine-tune temperature programs, reduce energy waste and even improve overall comfort 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 HVAC system
- Using obsolete heaters that lack modern space heater safety features
- Portable heater placement that blocks airflow from ventilation
- Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the target area
Alternatives to Portable Heaters for Supplemental Heat
You don’t have to use multiple devices or keep lugging a heater around different rooms in your home. These solutions often outperform space heaters in safety and affordability:
- Furnace zoning systems for targeted comfort
- Installing an updated, advanced HVAC unit for better performance ratings
- Improving weatherization to reduce energy waste
Balancing Performance and Security
Pairing a space heater with your furnace can provide immediate warmth, but it’s no substitute for investing in professional furnace maintenance and permanent improvements like improved insulation. For lasting coziness, economy and protection, focus on keeping your furnace in excellent condition and exploring modern upgrades that deliver complete home heating with fewer risks.
Whether you require installation, repair, or maintenance, our technicians will assist you with top-quality service at any time of the day or night. Take comfort in knowing your indoor air quality is the best it can be with MOE heating & cooling services Ontario's solution for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation that’s cooler than the rest.
Contact us to schedule a visit. Our qualified team of technicians, are always ready to help you and guide you for heating and cooling issues. Weather you want to replace an old furnace or install a brand new air conditioner, we are here to help you. Our main office is at Kitchener but we can service most of Ontario's cities
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