Do winter's chilly days leave you longing for cozy comfort? Many homeowners wonder if using portable space heaters with heating systems is a safe way to stay comfortable in frigid weather. The thought of maximizing your main heating capabilities with supplemental heat is understandable if you have a drafty home. However, you should consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.

Can Furnaces and Portable Heaters Work Together?

Your furnace is a whole-home comfort solution that distributes heat evenly through ventilation systems. In contrast, electric heaters deliver additional warmth by targeting individual spaces. While this combination can make sense for temporary situations, relying too heavily on your space heater all winter may prevent you from noticing underlying issues that indicate the need for furnace repair or a new, high-efficiency furnace installation.

How Much Electricity Do Portable Heaters Use?

Space heater power consumption and wattage vary widely. If you've wisely kept up with seasonal furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely boost your expenses instead of reducing them. Proactively addressing thermal loss by replacing old insulation and draft stoppers typically delivers better results than combining a patchwork of solutions.

Precautions to Take When Using a Portable Heater With Your Furnace

Safety should always be a top concern in your household. Electric heaters can create safety dangers if you put them too close to furniture or window treatments, so always maintain safe clearances. Look for models with safety features to reduce risks. Be mindful of electrical load and power requirements, since straining circuits can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your heating system vents to ensure you don't expose your family to increased CO dangers when running your heat for months.

Potential Benefits of Space Heaters

Portable heaters provide individual heating by quickly warming rooms that feel colder than others. However, modern smart thermostats and thermostat setbacks or zoning often achieve the same effect even more safely and efficiently. With smart thermostat optimization, you can fine-tune comfort settings, reduce utility costs and even improve overall comfort at lower temps without relying on additional appliances.

Avoid these mistakes when using space heaters alongside your furnace:

  • Relying solely on space heaters to replace your heating system
  • Using old units that lack modern safety technology
  • Unit location that blocks airflow from ventilation
  • Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the intended room

Alternatives to Room Heaters for Supplemental Heat

You don't have to use several units or keep lugging a heater around different rooms in your home. These solutions often outperform space heaters in cost-effectiveness and security:

  • Multi-zone heating for specific area heating
  • Installing an updated, energy-efficient heating system for better energy efficiency
  • Improving insulation and air sealing to reduce energy loss

Balancing Cost-Effectiveness and Protection

Pairing a space heater with your furnace can provide immediate warmth, but it's no substitute for investing in professional heating system service and lasting upgrades like improved insulation. For lasting comfort, efficiency and safety, focus on keeping your furnace in top shape and exploring modern upgrades that deliver comprehensive warmth with fewer risks.