Space heaters provide warmth and comfort for cold winters, but they also bring fire risks. Incredibly, space heaters cause nine out of 10 deaths and four out of five injuries due to home heating fires, and nearly half of these fires occur during the winter. OK. Can you buy a safe space heater? Sure, but you’re not off the hook, you have to use it correctly.
As an electrician who has seen my share of faulty electrical equipment, and a loyal space heater enthusiast, I spend hours researching the best and safest options before hitting the “buy” button or walking out of the store with a new space heater. But you don’t have that kind of time, you just want to feel warm. I have personally tested each of these items in my cold, drafty home to give you some insight before you purchase.
I used a portable room thermometer to get accurate and (sort of) scientific temperature data, and if I wasn’t convincing enough, Family Handyman also consulted heating expert Brad Roberson, president of AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning, to clear up a few things. If you’re considering purchasing a fireplace, or perhaps you’re curious about the safety of the fireplace you already own, here’s what you need to know to make a safe choice.
What makes space heaters unsafe?
Unless there’s something wrong with the heater, it’s usually operator error, such as dirty clothes rolled up at the top, heaters unplugged and left unattended, and too many things plugged into the same circuit. Of course, all devices carry some risks. Your washing machine could be flooding the basement, and your toaster could be short-circuiting. But space heaters are in a class of their own, looking at the data.
Before we get into the details, Roberson says the first rule for staying safe is to always “purchase your space heater from a reputable retailer and use it according to the manufacturer’s directions.” Once you have that part covered, keep these things in mind when running your space heater:
Electrical load
A 1500 watt space heater draws 12.5 amps at 120 volts. That’s a lot, it’s the maximum continuous load allowed by the National Electrical Code (NEC) on a 15 amp circuit. This means that if you plug a heater into a wall outlet in your bedroom, everything else, including the lights, TV, and gaming console, has to go on a different circuit.
Overloaded circuits can corrode electrical wires and connections and pose a significant fire risk. Each circuit in your home has a rating based on the circuit breaker protecting the circuit, and electricians (like me!) use specific load calculations to ensure their safe use. A single space heater can exceed the circuit rating instantly once it is plugged in and turned on.
For safer operation, use a dedicated space heater circuit to avoid overloading, and plug it directly into the wall – never use a power strip or extension cord.
Ignition of nearby items
The safety of space heaters has come a long way, but some still use a coil heating element and fan to warm your space (garage space heaters often have this design). The coils, which get very hot, are protected, but not always sealed inside. Flammable items such as curtains, bedding, and paper that drift nearby can catch fire. Even the safest ceramic, oil-filled models can ignite combustible materials if you’re not careful.
Never pile clothes or stack boxes near a heater, and never place one where hot air is blowing directly onto something flammable (within 3 feet). Keep heaters out of reach of children and pets, especially if the heater becomes hot to the touch.
So, which type of space heater is right for you? Space heaters have different risks based on the design, function, and location in your home, so it’s important to choose one based on your individual situation.
The safest space heaters
The safest space heater for the bedroom
DeLonghi Dragon – Digital Radiant Whole Room Heater
Space heaters and bedrooms can be a risky proposition. Clothes, curtains and bedding are flammable, and nighttime heating fires cause a disproportionate number of deaths and injuries. People are less composed and farther from exits, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For this reason, Roberson says, “It’s generally not recommended to leave your heater on overnight due to safety concerns.”
But many people use their bedrooms as living spaces, not just for sleeping. If this is you, you deserve to feel warm too! The DeLonghi Dragon Digital Heater is an oil-filled heater that emits heat like a radiator instead of blowing hot air. It is a great choice for bedrooms because the heating mechanism is completely contained. “Oil-filled heaters are safer than others because they have no exposed heating elements,” says Roberson.
This heater is attractive, quiet, and warmed my bedroom like a champ. While testing the heater myself, I noticed that it ran a little slower, but after an hour the temperature had risen by 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmth was nice and consistent, and the shut-off timer was on, which is important if she accidentally falls asleep. When placed under my drafty bedroom window, the DeLonghi Dragon significantly reduced the chilliness of the breeze coming in.
Pros
Radiant heating keeps room warmer for longer, heat direction upward reduces drafts, attractive and stylish design mimics a real radiator, very quiet, swivel feet make it easy to move.
cons
Large, expensive, gets hot to the touch (use caution around children and pets)
The safest space heater for the bathroom
Lasko ceramic bath heater
Winter brings ideal temperatures for sleep, but the walk from bed to bathroom isn’t peachy. Get rid of cold air quickly with the Lasko ceramic bathroom heater. This affordable little dynamo works!
The temperature of my medium-sized erythema rose from 69 to 75 degrees F in 30 minutes, and reached 81.3 degrees F within an hour. Even if you didn’t spend a lot of time in the shower, the air was instantly nice and hot, and the controls couldn’t be easier – one huge button, perfect for cloudy eyes and sleepiness.
Water and electricity don’t mix, so this heater has an added safety feature called an appliance leakage circuit interrupter (ALCI) located on the plug. These devices, also found in hair dryers, monitor electrical current coming and going into the device. If a malfunction is detected, ALCI turns off the heater immediately to prevent electric shock.
Pros
Small size, easy operation with one large control button, heats up very quickly and is affordable
cons
A little noisier than others on this list and limited to heating in small spaces
The safest space heater for homes with children
Nursery heater Vornadobaby Tempa
Babies cannot regulate their temperature like adults, and parents often boost the nursery’s temperature with a heater. But using space heaters in a child’s room requires extra vigilance regarding safety, especially as children grow. Inquisitive and newly mobile reptiles and toddlers can easily burn themselves or knock over a traditional heater. Always consult your pediatrician before using a heater in a child’s room. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that your child does not overheat while sleeping.
If you need a heater to keep your nursery warm, try the very popular Vornadobaby Tempa Nursery Heater. Now, I can’t test this on a real baby, but I did lock this heater in my bedroom to monitor temperature consistency. (The last thing you need is a highly volatile brooder heater keeping you up all night worrying.) I also cycled it often to test the safety features.
Results? After turning the Vornadobaby Tempa thermostat to medium (setting “4” on the dial), my bedroom temperature rose from 66.1 to 70.3 degrees F within an hour and maintained the temperature at 70 to 71 degrees F for six hours. The power switch features a lock-on, and the tip resistance feature is incredibly sensitive, instantly turning the heater off at the slightest movement. Additionally, the grid never got hot, even after running it for hours.
Pros
Multiple safety features for peace of mind. Quiet compared to other fan-powered heaters. The grille remains acceptably warm, even at high temperatures. Concealed and covered cord storage.
cons
No digital thermostat, bright red power light may be annoying for kids who like the dark
How to use a space heater safely
Space heaters are only as safe as their users. If you’re going to warm your cold spaces with a space heater this winter, take precautions. Follow all manufacturer directions and remember these tips:
Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable objects. Place the heater on a hard, flat surface (the floor, preferably) Plug space heaters directly into an outlet – never use extension cords or power strips Turn off and unplug space heaters when unattended
What to look for when purchasing a safe space heater
Are you ready to dive into warmth this winter? Arm yourself with the information below and consider the following features when shopping.
certificate
The NEC requires space heaters to be “listed,” which means certified by an accredited testing laboratory, such as UL or Intertek. A product listing tells the consumer that the space heater manufacturer complies with standards published by a recognized safety standards organization. Space heaters listed will be stamped or marked with the listing symbol.
Automatic shutdown
Remember the statistics for a space heater fire: nine out of 10 deaths and four out of five injuries. If your space heater tips over or exceeds the rating of the circuit to which it is connected, it must have a mechanism to shut itself off before a fire starts. You’re in luck: If your space heater is listed, it has this feature, so look for the UL mark or other listing mark before you buy.
Heat output
When purchasing a fireplace, check the area it covers. It will be listed in the box or online description. Need a space heater for your cavernous, damp basement? Skip the bathroom heater. Likewise, a bulky, open-coil garage heater is not suitable for your bedroom. Take a Goldilocks approach with space heaters, and purchase one that’s just right for your space.
Why should you trust us?
At Family Handyman, we are committed to producing high-quality content by experienced and expert writers in their field in consultation with relevant qualified experts. For this article, Ally Childress drew on her experience as a licensed electrician and consulted with AireServ home heating expert, Brad Roberson, to provide accurate, relevant information to help you make a sound purchasing decision.
Instructions
What heater is safest to leave on overnight?
Although it’s not recommended to leave any space heater running if you’re not monitoring it, oil-filled radiant heaters are considered safer than ceramic convection (hot air) types, according to Roberson. Both options are safer than open coil heaters.
Are ceramic heaters safe?
Yes, like any of the heaters listed, ceramic heaters are safe, as long as you operate them safely. These heaters warm your space by blowing air through hot ceramic plates rather than metal coils, so it’s important to keep the area around the heater unobstructed.
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