As temperatures drop outside, many people might be turning to space heaters to stay warm in drafty homes or too-cold office buildings. But should they be cranking on the popular devices to feel cozy?
“Not if they can avoid it,” said Anne Evens, chief executive of Elevate, a nonprofit group that works to provide access to clean and affordable energy.
Although portable electric space heaters are a popular source of warmth, particularly for those who might be dealing with inadequate heating, the devices typically guzzle energy and can pose fire risks if they aren’t used properly.
Experts say sealing up leaks and improving the overall efficiency of your heating system are more effective ways to heat your home and save up on energy costs. But there are other energy-efficient ways to provide additional warmth during the winter.
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Here’s what you need to know.
How much energy do space heaters use?
Space heaters generally use 750 to 1,500 watts, which translates to six to 12 kilowatt hours of electricity for eight hours of use, according to experts with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit. In comparison, electric blankets generally use 50 to 200 watts, or 0.4 to 1.6 kilowatt hours of electricity.
“We are talking about less than half, sometimes one-third, one-fourth, even one-tenth, of a large space heater,” said Stefano Schiavon, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley and a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
Other sources of heat
Schiavon suggests trying an electric blanket or heated foot warmer. These warming devices are generally more energy efficient and likely safer than space heaters, he said.
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Appliances that draw large amounts of energy can be associated with increased risk of fire or burns, he said.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that portable heaters, including electric space heaters, are involved in an average of 1,700 fires per year, resulting in an average of 70 deaths and 160 injuries annually from 2017 to 2019.
“When you have devices that use less energy, they’re intrinsically less dangerous,” Schiavon said.
Still, he said, it’s important to be careful with any heating devices that are coming directly in contact with people’s bodies. In the case of an electric blanket, you may want to avoid using one to warm someone who isn’t very mobile or has a reduced ability to sense heat because they could become overheated, he said.
If you have to use a space heater
There are some situations where it could make sense to use a space heater. Small space heaters can be less expensive to use if you only want to heat one room, according to the Energy Department. They can add warmth to spaces used by people who are sensitive to cold without overheating the whole home.
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“Space heaters are good for heating small spaces rapidly if your home heating system can’t warm the space effectively,” Chris Regan, project leader for space heater testing at Consumer Reports, wrote in an email.
But because space heaters generally aren’t energy efficient, using them will likely increase your electricity use and drive up your home energy costs, Regan said.
“If consumers are looking to lower their energy costs while using a space heater, they will need to lower their home heating system thermostat,” he said, adding that you should avoid using the devices in drafty spaces.
Here are some other tips from experts for how to use space heaters safely and efficiently:
- Avoid buying secondhand heaters. These devices could be older and not as efficient as new models. They may also pose safety risks.
- Make sure the unit is sized correctly for the space you’re trying to heat. An oversize unit will drive up the cost of using it.
- Check that the outlet you’re plugging your heater into has the capacity for it, and avoid using extension cords or power strips.
- Don’t place a heater on carpet or any other potentially flammable surface. Always place the unit on a hard, level nonflammable floor.
- Maintain clearance around a heater so adults, children and pets won’t bump into it. Keep it at least three feet away from anything that could burn.
- Don’t leave your heater on in rooms that aren’t occupied by an adult or run the device while you’re sleeping. Consider models that have timers.
- Unplug a heater that isn’t in use.
- If you’re particularly concerned about energy use, turn off other appliances when you’re running a heating device. “That’s a way to offset any additional costs on their electric bills,” Evens said.
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