Heating Alternatives

11/9/2021 (Permalink)

The space heater turned off waiting to be used.

Heating Alternatives

Mid-American Energy Co has released a statement that heating bills for natural gas could rise by 46% to 96% over last year due to increased gas costs. The trend also continues for propane users as their heating source as projections show the prices to go over 69% over the previous year. With that being said, it’s understandable that families might look into alternative heating sources, such as electric heaters. 

Dangers of Space Heaters

The Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that space heaters are the leading cause of over a thousand house fires each year. Space heaters are a great alternative to heating when used safely and correctly. Here are a few things to remember when using space heaters in your home.

• Keep space heater on the ground:

We understand that it takes some time to totally heat up your living space. You might feel tempted to place it right next to you as you snuggle up during a snowstorm. We advise you to not do this as you should put it on the ground away from any flammable material. 

• Keep away from water: 

This might be news to you, but water and electricity do not go together. When placing your space heater in a good location, you will want to keep in mind the room you have it in. It’s best to keep it out of the kitchen and the bathroom to ensure no chance of water getting near the space heater.

• Plug the heater directly into the wall:

The number one thing I hope you take away from this article is the importance of plugging the space heater directly into the wall. When you insert the plug into a surge protector, extension cord, or anything that isn’t the wall plug, you add extra electrical connections. This is dangerous because the more electrical connections you add, the greater chance of creating resistance which creates a hazardous build-up of heat. When plugging the heater into the wall, you have to be mindful of the 3-foot rule to ensure you aren’t heating up the plug and/or the wall. 

We understand you might invest in some space heaters with the projected increase in propane and natural gas heating options. We ask that you think about the placement of these heaters thoughtfully and strategically that ensures that you keep your home and property safe!