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| Alternative-Heating-Info.com |
Situations such as these may require an additional space heater, but here's where
you have to be careful. Since the circuits on most older homes are wired for only 15
amps, and a 1500 watt heater draws 12.5 amps, no other electrical devices should be
plugged into the same circuit.
In order to avoid a potentially hazardous situation determine which outlets are on
each circuit by plugging a small lamp into the outlet and flipping the circuit breakers off
one at a time until the lamp turns off or purchase a circuit breaker finder.
Sam's Small Space Heater Safety Tips
The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that each year about 28,000
house fires are attributed to space heaters, resulting in 300 related deaths.
This doesn't mean space heaters are inherently dangerous, only that caution and
common sense should be exercised in the pursuit of additional comfort for you and
your family.
you have to be careful. Since the circuits on most older homes are wired for only 15
amps, and a 1500 watt heater draws 12.5 amps, no other electrical devices should be
plugged into the same circuit.
In order to avoid a potentially hazardous situation determine which outlets are on
each circuit by plugging a small lamp into the outlet and flipping the circuit breakers off
one at a time until the lamp turns off or purchase a circuit breaker finder.
Sam's Small Space Heater Safety Tips
- Make sure the space heater is listed by Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) or the
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) .
- Only purchase newer model heaters that have all of the current safety features
like overheat protection and a tip-over switch.
- Locate the space heater on a level surface away from foot traffic.
- Keep it at least 3 feet away from combustible items such as drapes and
furniture. This is the number one cause of space heater fires.
- According to Georgetown, MA., Fire Chief Al Beardsley, "What takes place is the
material (drapes, matressess) dries out and over time the chemical composition
of the material changes and combustion occurs."
- Don't use the space heater as a dryer for clothing, wet towels, etc.
- If you have little ones running around put the space heater into one of those
scissor-like kiddie corrals so the kids can't get at it or buy a space heater
capable of wall mounting. A number of micathermic heaters can be mounted on
the wall but some models have been known to pose safety hazards. You can
read more about it here.
- Although some space heaters are sold as "waterproof" I don't recommend their
use in bathrooms. However, if you need to warm up the bathroom you can still
plug the space heater in a few minutes before you plan on bathing and then
remove it.
- Personally, I would never use one of those skinny brown Christmas tree type
extension cords for a space heater. Plug the heater directly into the wall or,
better yet, use a power strip between the space heater and outlet. A power
strip will benefit you in three ways:
- 1. It protects both the space heater and your home's wiring from power surges
and overloaded circuits.
2. Many new space heaters, much like TV's and cell phone chargers, are still on
even when not in use. The use of a power strip will enable you to shut the
power to appliances completely off when you go to bed or leave the house.
3. The ability to shut the power off completely also means a reduction in
"phantom loads," or the electricity consumed by "always on" appliances. It's
good for the environment and your pocketbook too.
- If your small space heater is running on the same electrical circuit as your
computer, plug the space heater into a separate power strip.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that each year about 28,000
house fires are attributed to space heaters, resulting in 300 related deaths.
This doesn't mean space heaters are inherently dangerous, only that caution and
common sense should be exercised in the pursuit of additional comfort for you and
your family.
Electric Space Heater Sizing and Safety
(See also: Top Space Heater Picks for 2010)
(See also: Top Space Heater Picks for 2010)
How to Size a Small Electric
Space Heater
A rule of thumb for sizing a
space heater is 10 watts for
each square foot.
Using this rule, a 1500 watt
space heater would heat a
12'x12' room. (144 sq. ft.)
Factors that reduce the
effectiveness of any small
space heater are drafts,
inadequate insulation, large
window space, an open floor
plan, or a room with a stairway.
Space Heater
A rule of thumb for sizing a
space heater is 10 watts for
each square foot.
Using this rule, a 1500 watt
space heater would heat a
12'x12' room. (144 sq. ft.)
Factors that reduce the
effectiveness of any small
space heater are drafts,
inadequate insulation, large
window space, an open floor
plan, or a room with a stairway.
