Do winter's cold days leave you wishing for toasty warmth? Many homeowners wonder if using space heaters with furnace systems is a safe way to stay comfortable in cold temperatures. The appeal of enhancing your central heat capabilities with portable warmth is understandable if you have a poorly insulated home. However, we recommend you consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.
Can Furnace Systems and Space Heaters Work Together?
Your heating system is a complete home heating solution that distributes heat evenly through ventilation systems. In contrast, portable heaters deliver additional warmth by targeting individual spaces. While this combination can make sense for temporary situations, relying too heavily on your space heater all winter may prevent you from noticing root problems that indicate the need for furnace repair or a new, energy-efficient furnace installation.
How Much Electricity Do Portable Heaters Use?
Space heater energy usage and wattage vary widely. If you've wisely kept up with seasonal furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely raise your bills instead of reducing them. Proactively addressing thermal loss by replacing old insulation and weatherproofing 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 safety dangers if you put them too close to combustible materials, so always maintain adequate spacing. Look for models with safety features to reduce risks. Be mindful of circuit capacity and power requirements, since exceeding capacity can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your heating system vents to ensure you don't expose your family to increased carbon monoxide risks when running your heat for months.
Potential Benefits of Supplemental Heaters
Space heaters provide customized warmth 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 intelligent temperature control, you can fine-tune temperature programs, 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 obsolete heaters that lack modern protective mechanisms
- Portable heater placement that blocks airflow from heating registers
- Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the desired space
Alternatives to Room Heaters for Extra Heating
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 cost-effectiveness and security:
- Zone control systems for customized warmth
- Installing a modern, energy-efficient heating system for better fuel economy
- Improving weatherization to reduce energy waste
Balancing Cost-Effectiveness and Protection
Pairing a space heater with your furnace can provide immediate warmth, but it's no substitute for investing in professional furnace maintenance and permanent improvements like improved insulation. For lasting comfort, efficiency and safety, focus on keeping your furnace in top shape and exploring modern upgrades that deliver complete home heating with fewer risks.