Indoor Heater Safety - Know What To Look For When You Buy

You have made the decision to use an alternate heater in your home, instead or your main heater, to save money. You've done your research and you are now deciding what indoor heater to purchase. There are many to choose from, but before you buy think safety first.

When selecting an indoor heater, you will have to decide whether you want a portable heater or a wall-mounted heater. A portable heater can be moved from room to room with relative ease. A wall-mounted heater is larger than a portable one. Wall-mounted heaters require propane, electricity, natural gas, etc. to function. A portable indoor heater does require a fuel source just as a wall-mounted heater does, but with the wall-mounted, the fuel source is usually a stationary fuel line.

Depending on the type of fuel you are using, ventilation will be very important. Let's use propane fuel as an example. Propane is an odorless fuel. Just because it is odorless doesn't mean that it doesn't give off carbon monoxide. Therefore, if using a portable propane heater, a crack in the window or door can be used as ventilation. For a wall-mounted propane heater, it must be vented through an exhaust pipe that leads outside the house or garage. It is also a very good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector in the house.

Another consideration is whether you have small children or pets. Children sometimes bump into things or touch things they shouldn't. It is important to have a heater that has an automatic "tip-switch" (a cutoff device that turns the heater off if it tips over) especially when using a portable heater. In addition to the "tip-switch", make sure the heater has a guard around the flame area or heating element.

When you purchase a heater, be sure to buy one that is rated for your room's square footage. If a portable heater is too large for an area, it might exhaust an excessive amount of unhealthy air pollutants. If you use an electric heater in an area that is too large for it, there is a chance that it will consume lots of energy and this could lead to a higher utility bill. Also, buying a portable gas or an electric heater rated for a small space and expecting it to cover a large area will increase the risk of the unit overheating.

These are some of the major things to consider when purchasing an indoor heater. Depending on your situation, there may be other considerations as well. Remember, when purchasing an indoor heater, think safety first. This can make your experience more pleasurable and cost effective.