Do winter's frigid days leave you wishing for cozy comfort? Many homeowners wonder if using space heaters with furnace systems is a safe way to stay comfortable in frigid weather. The appeal of enhancing your central heat capabilities with supplemental heat is understandable if you have a poorly insulated home. However, we recommend you consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.

Can Furnace Systems and Portable Heaters Work Together?

Your furnace system is a comprehensive heating solution that distributes heat evenly through ventilation systems. In contrast, portable 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 root problems that indicate the need for furnace repair or a new, high-efficiency furnace installation.

How Much Electricity Do Electric Heaters Use?

Space heater electricity use and wattage vary widely. If you've wisely kept up with regular furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely increase your costs instead of reducing them. Proactively addressing energy waste by replacing old insulation and air sealing materials typically delivers better results than combining a patchwork of solutions.

Precautions to Take When Using a Space Heater With Your Furnace

Safety should always be a priority in your household. Space heaters can create safety dangers if you put them too close to furniture or window treatments, so always maintain adequate spacing. Look for models with safety features to reduce risks. Be mindful of circuit capacity and power requirements, since exceeding capacity can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your heating system vents to ensure you don't expose your family to increased carbon monoxide risks when running your heat for months.

Potential Benefits of Space Heaters

Space heaters provide personalized comfort by quickly warming rooms that feel colder than others. However, modern smart thermostats and temperature scheduling or zoning often achieve the same effect even more safely and efficiently. With advanced thermostat programming, you can fine-tune comfort settings, reduce power consumption 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 HVAC system
  • Using obsolete heaters that lack modern protective mechanisms
  • Heater positioning that blocks airflow from ventilation
  • Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the target area

Alternatives to Space Heaters for Additional Warmth

You don't have to use various heaters 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 customized warmth
  • Installing an updated, high-efficiency furnace for better performance ratings
  • Improving thermal barriers to reduce heat loss

Balancing Performance and Security

Pairing a space heater with your furnace can provide temporary comfort, but it's no substitute for investing in professional furnace maintenance and lasting upgrades like improved insulation. For lasting comfort, efficiency and safety, focus on keeping your furnace in optimal working order and exploring modern upgrades that deliver comprehensive warmth with fewer risks.