Choosing a Safe, Quiet, Effective Space Heater
Sep 15 '00
During the past 11 years since I've had two different offices in the same building, I have purchased five space heaters. Because regardless of the season, both offices I have rented have been freezing cold. Even though both offices have had thermostat controls, I'm convinced that they're placebos -- designed to make the renter think they have some control over the temperature in his or her space when in fact, it's not even connected.
January or July, I need a quiet, durable space heater with variable temperature controls. The first one I bought, DeLonghi, was too noisy. Although it put out the necessary heat, the fan was audible in the background while I was talking to clients on the telephone. Can't have that. The second one I bought, a Patton, was much more quiet but not as warm. I was satisfied with it, but it finally wore out.
The best of the bunch is the space heater I have now, a Holmes, which doubles as a fan if needed, has a full range of temperature variables (the warmest setting is too warm for me) and will oscillate or stay in one position. The heating element is not exposed, which is by far superior for safety's sake.
Anytime you purchase a space heater, safety should be your top priority. All too often, particularly in the dead of winter, we hear tragic accounts of fires caused by space heaters that are left on too long, set too close to curtains or furniture, or whose heating element ignites flammable fumes.
Electric space heaters with shut-off features if the unit is knocked over are among the safest. Make sure cords are fairly short so there is less chance of someone tripping on the cord and unknowingly knocking the unit over.
Another important consideration: choose a model whose heating coil is covered. Most ceramic heaters won't even ignite paper, but they can seriously burn bare skin.
If you choose a space heater that burns fuel, try to use it only in areas with excellent air circulation, such as your garage, barn, or outbuilding. Keep the unit several feet away from walls with a wide radius of space around it to guard against spontaneous combustion. Fuel buring space heaters can give off carbon monoxide -- some have detectors.
When you buy a space heater of any kind, don't skimp on safety features. Try to purchase one that will work for both cooling and heating so you'll get your money's worth all year long.
Avoid using space heaters in a young child's room, and never leave one on all night long. If you purchase a space heater for your bathroom or any other room where you use lots of water, buy a unit that mounts to a wall to minimize the chances of contact while you or your hands are wet.
Space heaters can be extremely useful in the winter for "spot" heating in your most lived-in rooms. I have used one of my Patton units to point directly at my feet when I'm at my home computer, which is near a patio door that always manages to let a bit of freezing winter air, regardless of what we do. Instead of turning up the furnace and warming up the entire house, my little space heater keeps my feet toasty without baking the rest of my family!
Take advantage of the convenience, economy and versatility of the space heater you purchase, but never forget to read all safety warnings and keep a watchful eye on your unit to make sure it isn't overheating. Switch it off from time to time, too, even if it has a thermostat control feature -- they have been known to fail in a few rare cases.
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Member: Ms Hooterville
Location: Hooterville Green Acres USA
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News and feature writer, graphic designer and artist, wife and mother, small business owner.
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