JOINT BASE CHARLESTON –
As the weather turns cooler it's time to make the switch from air conditioning to heating our homes.
On the surface, space heating instead of central heating has temporary advantages, but there are several drawbacks. Space heaters are considered energy 'guzzlers' for good reasons. The smallest electric space heater can use about 3,000 watts (about 10,000 British Thermal Units per hour). Larger electric space heaters may use more than 11,000 watts (about 40,000 BTU's per hour). Using space heaters instead of central heating may increase your overall energy costs for heating by about 70%.
Some people use propane based space heaters, called combustion models, which must be ventilated so they won't release dangerous carbon monoxide into a home. Many combustion model space heaters are measured by BTUs only. Combustion models are generally cheaper to operate and use less energy. A propane space heater may use about 2,300 watts (7,847.93 BTUs per hour) to 4,100 watts (13,989.78 BTUs per hour). A large combustion model heater uses about the same energy as a small to mid-size electric space heater. However, neither kind of space heater is without its dangers.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that every year space heaters are associated with more than 25,000 residential fires and 300 fatalities. The average dollar loss of a space heater fire is $58,312. Twenty-eight percent of these fires were caused when combustible materials such as bedding, magazines, newspapers, clothing, or furniture were too close to the heater, and another 7 % were caused when rugs, carpets or mats were under or too close to the heater. If used properly, space heaters can provide temporary relief during a cold spell, but they should not be considered a permanent solution to a home heating problem. To minimize the risk of fire while using a space heater, please note the following safety tips.
- Keep young children away from the heating device.
- Keep all furniture and combustible items at least a minimum three to preferably five feet away from any heating appliance.
- Never refill a fuel-burning space heater while it's on or inside the house.
- Space heaters should not be left on while you are asleep or leave the room.
- Do not connect a space heater to an outlet with an extension cord, and never overload the circuit. Make sure the plug fits snuggly into the outlet.
- Never use a space heater with a damaged or frayed cord, and never cover the cord with carpeting or furniture. Many space heater fires start in the extension cord.
- Be sure the space heater is in good working condition and that the heating element is protected by a metal guard.
- Avoid using space heaters in a bathroom and never touch an electric heater when you are wet.
- Make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working before using a space heater.
- When not in use, space heaters should be unplugged.