Do winter's chilly days leave you longing for warm comfort? Many homeowners wonder if using space heaters with furnace systems is a safe way to stay comfortable in freezing conditions. The thought of maximizing your central heat capabilities with portable warmth is understandable if you have a cold house. However, you should consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.
Can Furnace Systems and Portable Heaters Work Together?
Your furnace is a whole-home comfort solution that distributes heat evenly through air ducts and vents. In contrast, electric heaters deliver additional warmth by targeting individual spaces. While this combination can make sense for short-term use, relying too heavily on your space heater all winter may prevent you from noticing fundamental concerns that indicate the need for furnace repair or a new, energy-efficient furnace installation.
How Much Electricity Do Space Heaters Use?
Space heater electricity use and wattage vary widely. If you've wisely kept up with annual furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely increase your costs instead of reducing them. Proactively addressing energy waste by replacing old insulation and air sealing materials typically delivers better results than combining a patchwork of solutions.
Precautions to Take When Using a Portable Heater With Your Furnace
Safety should always be a primary consideration in your household. Portable heaters can create fire hazards if you put them too close to flammable objects, so always maintain safe clearances. Look for models with automatic shutoff mechanisms to reduce risks. Be mindful of breaker load and power requirements, since straining circuits can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your air circulation to ensure you don't expose your family to increased carbon monoxide risks when running your heat for months.
Potential Benefits of Supplemental Heaters
Room heaters provide individual heating by quickly warming rooms that feel colder than others. However, modern smart thermostats and thermostat setbacks or zoning often achieve the same effect even more safely and efficiently. With smart thermostat optimization, you can fine-tune comfort settings, reduce power consumption and even improve humidification and comfort at lower temps without relying on additional appliances.
Avoid these mistakes when using space heaters alongside your furnace:
- Relying solely on space heaters to replace your HVAC system
- Using outdated models that lack modern space heater safety features
- Unit location that blocks airflow from ventilation
- Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the intended room
Alternatives to Room Heaters for Additional Warmth
You don't have to use various heaters or keep lugging a heater around different rooms in your home. These solutions often outperform space heaters in efficiency and safety:
- Multi-zone heating for customized warmth
- Installing an updated, energy-efficient heating system for better performance ratings
- Improving insulation and air sealing to reduce energy waste
Balancing Performance and Security
Pairing a supplemental heater with your furnace can provide temporary comfort, but it's no substitute for investing in professional heating system service and permanent improvements like improved insulation. For lasting comfort, efficiency and safety, focus on keeping your furnace in excellent condition and exploring modern upgrades that deliver complete home heating with fewer risks.