More than 25,000 home fires and 300 deaths are caused by space heaters every year.
Also, some space heaters emit carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
Using a space heater simply to eliminate cold spots in your home is a big risk to your family. Why do so many people continue to do so? Because they are unaware of better alternatives. Check your registers, dampers, furnace filter, ducts, and see if your heat sources are blocked before considering space heater alternatives. Have you moved recently? If so, you may not realize that some dampers are closed, effectively preventing heat from flowing to that room. Make sure all heat registers are open. You might not need a space heater after all! Likewise, make sure you don’t block heat registers, radiators or hot water baseboards with furniture that can obstruct airflow. Like fireplace flues, some ductwork has dampers that can be opened and closed to adjust airflow. If you have dampers on your ducts, ensure the handle is set in the “winter” position and parallel to the duct line. When was the last time you changed your furnace filter? If you don’t have your furnace serviced every year and are wondering what a furnace filter is, you may be able to warm up your chilly spots with this easy space heater alternative. In hot air forced heat, your furnace has a filter that removes dust and debris from the heated air so it won’t damage your equipment. Clogged filters reduce airflow, which decreases heating. Particularly if you have an older system or a new furnace with old ductwork, those ducts may have leaks or holes that prevent warm air from reaching certain rooms. It instead escapes into your walls and ceilings where it doesn’t do anyone any good. One of the simplest alternatives to a space heater is checking and repairing your ducts. The causes of furnace problems can be prevented with regularly-scheduled cleaning and maintenance. If you haven’t done that yet, call in an HVAC service expert to keep your system in top shape, banish those cold spots, and eliminate the need for space heater alternatives.