How to use a space heater safely
How can you use space heaters without inadvertently causing a fire? Here is what you need to know about buying one and using it safely.
Cold weather has officially arrived, so you’ve likely already once again become accustomed to the hum of your furnace. And if your home has heating issues, you may have also gotten out a space heater to stave off dropping temperatures.
Space heaters come with risks. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2014 and 2018, space heaters accounted for more than two in five U.S. home-heating fires, and 81% of deaths related to home-heating fires.
“Space heaters do present a potential fire hazard, but they can be used safely,” said NFPA communications manager Susan McKelvey. “If you can realize where behaviors can contribute to a home fire, you can take steps to minimize those risks.”
So how can you use space heaters safely? Here is what you need to know:
When to use a space heater
Space heaters are convenient , and in some cases — like if your furnace conks out — they may be necessary. But they should be seen as a “last resort, not a first resort,” to solving a heating problem, said Steve Luxton, executive director and CEO of the Energy Coordinating Agency, a local energy conservation nonprofit.
That’s especially true in Philadelphia, which has older housing stock with many built before 1950. Older homes often have older wiring that isn’t designed to handle a constantly running space heater — particularly in conjunction with other electrical appliances, Luxton said. Generally, he adds, space heaters pull about 1,500 watts of power per hour, which can be problematic for old wiring.
“You’re pulling a lot of energy through an old line, and it’s probably not the only appliance on that line because these homes were underserved with electrical outlets,” he said. “Electricity develops resistance, and that translates to heat,” which can cause an electrical fire.
But even if your home has newer, updated wiring, there’s another factor to consider: Cost. Electricity, Luxton said, is much more expensive to use as heating fuel than something like gas, which can translate into higher bills . Instead, you might just consider turning up your heat a couple of degrees — or, if there’s an issue with your system, try having it fixed, such as by bleeding radiators or removing a blockage in your heating ducts.
“It will be cheaper to get a heating contractor out there to figure out why this space isn’t heating up correctly, instead of using a Band-Aid, which is what the space heater is,” Luxton said.
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How to use a space heater safely
Start with the manual, which will have safety information for that specific model, said Philadelphia Fire Department firefighter Namor Brown.
Here’s the best advice, according to Brown, Luxton, and Electrical Safety Foundation International:
Never use an extension cord. Many are not rated to handle the power demands of heaters, and can overheat and cause a fire.
Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from the space heater.
Plug it into a grounded circuit.
Avoid putting it in a place with a lot of traffic where it can get knocked over.
Turn off space heaters when sleeping or leaving a room.
Never run them unattended.
Don’t plug other electrical appliances into the same outlet.
Check the plug before each use to make sure it is not damaged or frayed.
Place the space heater on a flat, level surface. Avoid putting it on carpet.
Install smoke alarms on every floor of your house, and test them once per month.
Types of space heaters
Space heaters come in a variety of types, such as oil or water-filled radiators, fan-forced heaters, ceramic heaters, and infrared heaters. No matter which type you choose, there are a few elements to consider before you buy.
Check that it bears the mark of an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the Canadian Standards Association Group (CSA), or Intertek, McKelvey said. These groups test electrical products and equipment to make sure they meet certain safety standards, and having their mark means a product meets those standards.
Look for a model that has an automatic shutoff that will turn off the heater if tipped over, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Space heaters that have both a thermostat that allows you to set the temperature, as well as overheating protection that prevents it from getting too hot, are a good idea, too, the NFPA indicates online.
And while Luxton would prefer you don’t use a space heater, oil-filled radiators are his pick if you need to use one. That type of space heater, he notes, doesn’t “get hot enough to make something catch fire” when touched, and can be fairly effective at heating a room.
This article has been updated since it first published.
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Expert sources
Susan McKelvey, communications manager, National Fire Protection Association
Steve Luxton, executive director and CEO of the Energy Coordinating Agency
Namor Brown, firefighter, Philadelphia Fire Department