When air conditioners are turned off in winter, rooms are heated extensively to beat the cold. As a simple, cheap, and easy way to stay warm, it’s not ideal to live when it’s cold.
Here are four good reasons it is necessary to turn off the heat for the benefits:
1. It decreases the moisture content of the air
This is the most frequent issue that arises when using the room heater. The air that is blown out by the heater or the blower causes drying out the natural moisture that is present in the air within the room.
The dry air, without any moisture, causes roughness and dryness of your skin. If you suffer from delicate skin, then this may cause irritation and redness or trigger an infection.
If you are an infant, this may further harm your baby’s delicate facial skin and nasal passage. Extreme dryness in babies and infants due to overuse of a heater could result in skin rashes and nose bleeding.
2. It can cause accidentally burns
Heating systems in the home can cause the possibility of a fire. They are the leading cause of death due to fires in winter. This is among the primary reasons why they aren’t suggested for use for extended periods in indoor environments and should be protected with special care when used for short periods.
Space heaters rapidly rise in temperatures quickly. Dust or even flammable objects, which are placed near space heaters, may be ignited if exposed to the amount of hot, dry heat they release. Bedclothes, curtains, stacks of papers, or flammable furniture might catch fire if they’re close to an electrical space heater.
The space heaters are also designed to be mobile. They’re not heavy to carry. However, they’re also very easy to move. Pet owners may notice that heaters can be crushed, bringing them in close contact with carpets and other flammable materials.
3. They Have Extra Expenses
The majority of households are on a fixed budget. The energy cost for heating the space to a comfortable temperature using space heaters is many times higher than an integrated system for heating your home. They are not as efficient and can only heat one space simultaneously.
The large energy consumption of electric space heaters can create a significant load on your electrical circuits. It is suggested to connect it to an outlet equipped with a GFCI circuit breaker to ensure that the system can stop the outlet in case it overburdens it.
If you are using the heater in a high-demand circuit, you might need to be aware of the other electrical components you use on the electrical circuit. The placement of the heater in a high-demand circuit can mean having to deal with broken breakers that are tripped.
4. The result could be fluctuation in the temperatures
Keeping your heater set at a higher temperature can cause fluctuations once you leave the room. This is because your body could take time to adjust to the outside temperature of the room.
This fluctuating temperature may cause problems for your body’s immune system to deal with it and may result in the flu and cold that is common during the winter months. For infants, excessive heat could cause hyperthermia, which can be fatal.
5. It can increase the toxic levels within the home
There are a variety of space heaters available on the market at present. They run on fuel gasoline, propane, petroleum, and charcoal. This causes carbon monoxide to be produced.
Certain of these heaters are vented and include chimneys that help eliminate fumes. If this vent is directed towards the outside, you can ensure that the air inside is clear and clean. In other cases, it emits combustion-related gasses throughout the room.
The fumes from combustion can cause harm in an indoor environment. If you take in carbon monoxide, it eats up oxygen space within your blood. You may become unconscious or drown if you don’t have enough oxygen within your system. Space heaters that emit carbon monoxide aren’t rated for indoor use and are accompanied by massive warnings.
Longer exposure to these gasses can harm your heart and brain. They can also increase the risk of developing asthma or other respiratory diseases. The reason carbon monoxide is so hazardous is the fact that you do not smell or see it. When you begin feeling its effects may be already too late.
6. They Can Cause Electric Shock
As with all electrical items, one should know that a heater with improperly connected wires can cause sparks and electric shocks. It is crucial to be aware of this that the amount of current the electrical heater consumes is extremely high.
If a shock from an electric heater occurs, it’s more likely to cause burns to the skin or other health issues due to the quantity of electricity required to operate it.
Tips to use
Here are some suggestions you can follow to ensure the effective use of your heater:
- Keep the heater at an appropriate temperature to ensure that you don’t cause excessive heat to the room. To find the most appropriate temperature for your set-up, read the user’s manual and follow the guidelines.
- Dress in a way that will help you combat winter chills, and don’t rely on your heater exclusively. This will assist your body in adapting to the seasons and increase your immunity will be able to adapt according to the season, thereby saving your body from seasonal attacks of flu and cold.
- It is important to ensure that your heater has been checked and serviced by the manufacturer at least once a year. This will ensure that the tubes, coils, and bands are operating properly so that they do not release more carbon monoxide into your space.
- Maintain a bowl of water set in your room’s area when using the heater. It will act as a vaporizer to maintain the humidity levels of the air under control.
- Be sure that you open the windows and doors in your home or room to create natural air circulation. This will allow you to remove the pollutants and naturally cleanse the space.
- Keep the room heater away from the reach of the elderly and children.
Conclusion
Remember that the space heater should not substitute for your heating, ventilation system, and air conditioner. It is only an alternative heating source to heat small spaces for a short time when no alternative is readily available.
If you are forced to utilize a space heater for a short time, make sure that the model you’re employing is safe to use for indoor use. There’s the wording on the label which will state this. If you cannot locate the information, select an alternative heater that says this.
Select a GFCI circuit to connect to and avoid other items with high currents, such as hair dryers or kitchen appliances connected to the same circuit. Be sure to clean and vacuum a vast space around the heater, and put it on a sturdy and non-burning surface, such as tile or stone, and not on carpet or wood.
Make sure it is near the ground, not on top of an explosive piece of furniture. If you have children or pets, you might consider placing an enclosure of about 3 to 6 feet around the furniture. Follow any additional guidelines provided by the company to guarantee safety for the temporary. Contact someone to find a more effective heating solution immediately.
