Introduction
Portable heaters are used in small spaces to heat up one room. This is mainly used when the heating system is ineffective. Or they are used when the central heating system is costly or hard to install. In case you want to heat one room, portable heaters are very cheap. They are a good alternative to traditional heaters. These battery-powered heaters raise the temperature in the rooms. Similarly, they boost the warmth in the space. They are available in a variety of styles and sizes. In addition, they are a good investment during the winter months. Some mini heaters have interesting features like digital control and automatic oscillation.
Before you purchase a portable heater, there are some things that you should look into. For instance, first, know what kind of heater do you want. There are three heating technologies that heaters have. They are convection, radiant, and fan-forced. Next, look out for heating capacity. The portable propane heater should cover the desired space you need. This depends on the heater wattage rating.
Similarly, check if the heater is energy efficient. This factor will help to reduce heating costs. Some features like noise pollution and safety features are also important. The heaters can be a cause for fire risks if not used properly. Finally, you would want to invest in a heater that emits the lowest noise possible.
Why is Safety Important In Portable Heaters?
Heating devices are the second most leading reason for home fires in the US. Close to 65,000 home fires are due to such heating devices. Such fires cause hundreds of deaths, injuries, and property damage. These oil space heaters are convenient devices that keep the home warm. However, they can cause serious fire damage if not used properly. Safety should be your first consideration when you plan on buying one.
Safety Tips On Using Portable Heaters
Portable heaters are the right choice for keeping your home warm. It is preferable to purchase a portable car heater to keep the costs low. They reduce your electricity bills to a great extent. Also, they are better for small spaces. Before you buy heaters, there are some safety factors you should consider. It is better to be safe than sorry. Let’s get straight into the tips to help you make an informed choice.
1. Portable Heater Placement
It is advised to place the heaters at least 3 feet away from windows, furniture, rugs, bedding, clothes, and other combustibles. These are dangerous items that can result in a fire accident. That is if they come in touch with the device’s heating element. Never place anything on the heater. Besides, do not sit on the top of the device. Make sure that the heater is placed on a hard surface. Read the instruction manual to be safe.
2. Tip-Over Protection
You can purchase devices that have tip-over protection. This feature usually stops the device when it is bent or tipped over. When the heater is titled over 45 degrees, it immediately stops it to avoid an accident.
3. Over Heat Protection
The overheat protection feature detects an unsafe temperature. At times, the internal components may become too hot. In such cases, it can be dangerous. When the heater detects such temperature, it turns off immediately. This is a great way to avoid accidents. There are many portable car heaters which this feature. You can look up online to find these devices.
4. Cool Touch Housing
If you have kids or pets around the house, this is quite beneficial. This feature prevents accidental burns. These may occur when touching the exterior of the heater. This makes it safe to use around the house. It does matter if you have kids running around. These devices are an excellent purchase. If you have been looking for a heater, then get one with these features.
5. Plugging Directly Into An Outlet
Heaters with extension cords increase the risk of electrical shocks. In addition, they can also cause overheating. This could lead to fires or accidents. Hence, it is best to plug a heater into an outlet. The outlet should have a functional power capacity. It is a great choice to buy portable heaters with such features.
6. Turn Off When Not In Use
If you are not using the portable heater, it is best to turn it off. Make sure that you unplug it without fail. This can reduce the chances of accidents or fires. Once you decide to leave the room, be sure to turn the heater off. Some heaters are programmable. These devices can be programmed to turn off after some time. You can program it accordingly. You can also set it up to turn off automatically.
7. Place Heaters Away From Water
It is best to avoid using portable heaters near water. There might be certain heaters meant for damp places. However, it is advised not to use heaters near the bathroom. Also, make sure to keep it away from any moisture. Avoid placing them in humid basements. Besides, do not touch the heater if you are wet. If you have wet hands, avoid touching the heaters. This could cause electrical shocks and accidents.
8. Place Away From A Kids Room
If you have portable heaters, do not ever place them in a kid’s room. Children may accidentally play with it, which can cause accidents. They can also get hurt while playing with it. Hence, it is advised never to use portable heaters in a kid’s room. In addition, keep the heaters away from the room. Also, you should set a 3 feet distance around the heaters. This should prevent children from going near the heaters.
9. Install Alarms
It is best to install carbon dioxide alarms in your home. You can also set up smoke alarms. This will make sure that if any smoke is detected, it will raise the alarm. It is also essential to test the heater monthly. Testing helps you know that the device is safe to use. This will help in preventing accidents or fires.
10. Connections
If you happen to use a heater with cords, be extra careful. Extension cords could lead to you falling over. This can be very dangerous. You can cover the extension cords with the carpet. This will ensure you don’t fall over. In addition, always check the extension cord for damages. Check if there are any cracks in the cord. Also, be sure that the plug is not broken. When you plug the cable, look if the connection is secure. If the connection is loose, it can cause fire accidents. This can be dangerous. If you find any damage with the cord, do not use the mini heater further.
11. Don’t Leave Heaters Unattended
Turn off the heater when not in use. If you are heading to a different room, make sure to unplug the device. Especially if you have kids or pets in the house, never leave the heater unattended. A single moment of carelessness can cause huge damages. It is best to turn off the heater while sleeping. If you have a baby at home, make sure that they don’t crawl over to the heater.
12. Use Heaters For The Right Purpose
Be aware that heaters are meant for supplemental heat only. They should only be used to heat rooms. These devices should never be used to cook food or dry clothes. It is best to use the device for what it was built.
13. Safety Certified
Your portable heater should have a label that says the device was tested in a recognized laboratory. This indicates whether the oil space heater is safe to use it not. There should be a label on the backside of the heater. Make sure you look for those before purchasing a heater. You can usually find a UL label on the heater.
There is also a certification from CSA international or the ETA label.
14. Train and Teach
It is best to teach everyone in your house the working of a heater. This way, they all are well aware of operating the device. Also, this will prevent the risk of accidents or fires. People in your house should be able to run the heater at ease. This ensures they don’t make any mistakes. Besides, it also makes it safe to use around the house.
15. Use The Right Fuel
If your portable propane heater uses fuel, refill it up with the right fuel. Be sure to be aware of the working of the heater. This cuts down the risks associated with heaters. If you refill with the wrong kind of fuel, it can lead to a fire. Educate yourself well before you use a portable heater.
16. Know The Size
Do not use a heater that is meant for a larger space. There are different kinds of portable heaters that are available. Each one of them has a different setup. They all are designed to suit different spaces. While some are suitable for small areas, others are perfect for bigger spaces. Hence, know what kind of a heater you need. In addition, also look at the space it can cover. This will help in determining the heater that you will need.
Types Of Portable Heaters
As the winters come closer, it is time to get heaters to keep you warm. They are a great option when you need to camp outdoors as well. Let us look at the different types of portable heaters.
1. Convectors Heater
Convection heaters are known to warm up the entire room. They are similar to a fan heater. These devices have an internal heating element. In this case, they wait for the hot air and replace it with cool air. This is one of the reasons why they are slower as compared to others. The fan heaters are pretty quick. However, these devices take time. Besides, the convection heaters distribute the heat evenly. The right products in this range can be expensive. However, their performance is also excellent.
2. Fan Heaters
These devices use an electric coil that creates heat. Then the warmth is spread throughout the room. Fan heaters can be very noisy. However, they are a cheap and affordable option. Besides, they are also very light. They are perfect for smaller rooms. The heat will soon go away if you leave any door open.
3. Halogen Heaters
The halogen heaters emit heat directly on the objects. They do not wait for the convection to spread the warmth. Hence, these devices are very quick. They are very efficient. Also, they are very cheap as well. These devices are portable and very light to carry. However, they do not work well in larger areas. Make sure to pick out a good quality heater with excellent features. You can browse online to find a portable heater of your choice.
4. Oil Filled Heaters
Out of them all, the oil-filled heaters are the best choices. These devices are very reliable, as well. They make use of an electrical current in thermal oil. After heating the oil, the device then circulates it. Oil-filled heaters are a little heavy. This is due to the extra oil in them. Hence, they are not as portable as others. It takes a long time to warm up. The time could be around 20 minutes. However, they stay warm for a very long time afterward. You don’t need to replace the oil. Also, they are very affordable as well. There are many models available on this type of heater.
Conclusion
Your winters may be incomplete without a heater. Hence, it is best to invest in one. Make sure you are aware of the safety tips of the device. This will help you be safe. Also, you will be able to use the device as per your needs. There are a variety of portable heaters available in the market. Select the one that suits your requirements.
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