Here at Complete Comfort, we’re dedicated to keeping your family warm and comfortable all winter long. We know many people out there have rooms in their home that are often too hot or too cold- no matter where you set your thermostat, some rooms, due to their location, number of windows, or distance from the heat source, just end up a little colder- sometimes too cold for comfort- from the rest of the home.
Many people resort to a variety of space heaters to keep those spaces warmer and comfortable. However, most space heaters are energy hogs- jacking up your energy bills- and some of them can be quite dangerous, especially if you have small children or animals.
Basic Space heaters come in two varieties- radiant heaters, which often look like small old fashioned radiators, and convection heaters, which heat the air, not as much the people and objects in the room. Radiant heaters heat up quickly and warm up the immediate area, but it takes a while to heat a whole room. Convection heaters spread the heat around throughout a space. While portable space heaters can be inexpensive, they do have downsides.
Radiant heaters get very warm and can cause burns for kids and animals, and can be a fire hazard depending on where they are placed. Convection heaters tend to be noisy, and as soon as you turn them off, the heat dissipates quickly, leaving you cold once again.
Replacing a Space Heater
Replacing a space heater can improve safety, efficiency, and overall comfort in your home. Here are some of the key reasons you should consider replacing a space heater with a more permanent, safer and more efficient system that will keep your family comfortable:
Safety Concerns
- Fire Risk: Older or malfunctioning space heaters can pose a significant fire hazard, especially if they are placed near flammable materials.
- Carbon Monoxide Risks: Non-electric space heaters, such as propane or kerosene models, can emit carbon monoxide if not properly ventilated. Even with options like wood burning or pellet stoves or fireplaces, these systems need proper ventilation and regular cleaning.
- Burn Hazards: Many space heaters get extremely hot to the touch, posing a risk to children and pets.
Inefficiency
- Space heaters are often less efficient than centralized heating systems, leading to higher energy bills when used extensively.
- They are best suited for supplemental heating, not as a primary heat source, as they struggle to maintain consistent warmth in larger spaces.
Limited Coverage
- Space heaters only heat small areas, leaving the rest of your home cold.
- Uneven heating can lead to discomfort and an over-reliance on the space heater.
Durability and Technology:
- Older space heaters may lack modern safety features such as tip-over shutoff switches or overheat protection.
- Newer heating systems incorporate energy-saving technology and can be controlled remotely via smart thermostats.
Better Options for Winter Comfort– Ductless Heating
There are lots of options if you need supplemental heating in parts of your home. One of the best is a ductless heat pump system. These high-efficiency heat pumps can act as both heating and cooling systems, so you can get both the extra warmth you need in hard to heat areas, and extra air conditioning in the summer as well. Ductless heating systems are up to 70% more efficient than traditional space heaters and baseboard electric heaters, saving you a TON on money on your energy bills, while increasing comfort.
A single zone of ductless heating and cooling can make those hard to heat areas of your home- basements, attics, sun rooms, garages, bonus rooms over a garage and more- much more comfortable every month of the year. These systems run on electricity, and are able to be controlled remotely. Some even have sensors so they can go into standby mode when no one is in the room, helping to save you even more money.
Other options for hard to heat spaces include:
Radiant Floor Heating
This system provides consistent, even warmth from the floor up and eliminates the need for visible heating units. However, the system is embedded into a floor and often concrete, making it hard to service if a problem develops.
Improved Insulation and Weatherization
Upgrading insulation and sealing drafts can significantly reduce heating needs and make any heating system more effective.
Pellet or Gas Fireplaces
Modern fireplaces can heat larger areas efficiently and add aesthetic value to your home. However they need to be properly ventilated, may need you to keep a supply of fuel on hand, and require regular maintenance to keep fir hazards to a minimum.
Benefits of Upgrading from a Space Heater
- Enhanced Comfort: Ductless systems are permanent solutions to keep your home more comfortable year-round and help increase your comfort- and your property value.
- Energy Savings: Modern systems are designed to optimize energy use, which can lower your monthly energy bills. Systems come with remote operation features and sensors that can help you get the most out of the system while keeping your energy bills low.
- Improved Air Quality: HVAC systems with air filters can reduce allergens and pollutants in your home.
- Peace of Mind: Advanced safety features reduce the risk of accidents compared to outdated space heaters.
Every home is different, and has different needs, depending on layout, insulation, and where you spend most of your time. A small space heater is like putting a band-aid on a bigger problem of your home’s heating and cooling efficiency. A safer, more permanent solution like a zone of ductless heating and cooling could be just the thing to give you greater year round comfort in your home, while reducing energy bills and increasing safety for your family.
If you are interested in learning more, give us a call here at Complete Comfort and we’ll help you explore all your options to keep your home cozy all season long.