Do winter's frigid days leave you wishing for toasty warmth? Many homeowners wonder if using portable heaters with heating systems is a safe way to stay comfortable in freezing conditions. The thought of maximizing your primary heating capabilities with space heating is understandable if you have a drafty home. However, we recommend you consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.

Can Furnaces and Portable Heaters Work Together?

Your furnace is a comprehensive heating solution that distributes heat evenly through air ducts and vents. In contrast, electric heaters deliver extra heating by targeting individual spaces. While this combination can make sense for short-term use, 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, energy-efficient furnace installation.

How Much Electricity Do Portable Heaters Use?

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

Precautions to Take When Using a Portable Space 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 proper distances. Look for models with tip-over and overheat protection to reduce risks. Be mindful of circuit capacity and electrical limitations, since exceeding capacity can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your furnace ventilation to ensure you don't expose your family to increased CO dangers when running your heat for months.

Potential Benefits of Space Heaters

Room heaters provide customized warmth 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 advanced thermostat programming, you can fine-tune temperature programs, reduce energy waste and even improve indoor air quality 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 central heating
  • Using old units that lack modern space heater safety features
  • Unit location that blocks airflow from heating registers
  • Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the intended room

Alternatives to Space Heaters for Supplemental Heat

You don't have to use multiple devices or keep lugging a heater around different rooms in your home. These solutions often outperform space heaters in efficiency and safety:

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

Balancing Performance and Security

Pairing a space heater with your furnace can provide short-term relief, but it's no substitute for investing in professional furnace maintenance and lasting upgrades like improved insulation. For lasting warmth, savings and security, focus on keeping your furnace in excellent condition and exploring modern upgrades that deliver complete home heating with fewer risks.