Room Heaters Can Have Negative Effects On Your Health; Follow These Precautionary Steps For Your Wellbeing

Utilise a thermostat or timer feature if available on the room heater

Room heaters are electrical devices that are used to heat up a small enclosed space, such as a room or an office. They come in various types, including electric heaters, oil heaters, gas heaters, and infrared heaters. These devices are commonly used during the winter season to provide localised warmth. Read on as we discuss the negative affects of using heaters and also share tips to help you safely use them.

Here are 6 negative effects of using room heaters:

1. Dryness

Room heaters can cause dryness in the air, which can result in dry skin, dry eyes, and dry throat. This can further lead to respiratory issues, nasal congestion, and increased susceptibility to infections.

2. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Improperly maintained or faulty fuel-burning heaters can release carbon monoxide gas, which is odourless and colourless. Breathing in high levels of carbon monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting in symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and can even be fatal in extreme cases.

3. Overheating

If a room heater is not used or maintained properly, it may overheat and pose a fire hazard. This can lead to accidents, property damage, and injuries.

4. Allergies and asthma

Room heaters can stir up dust particles, pet dander, and other allergens present in the environment. This can trigger allergic reactions and worsen asthma symptoms in individuals who are already sensitive.

5. Eye and skin irritation

Long-term exposure to dry, warm air produced by room heaters can cause irritation to the eyes and skin. This can lead to redness, itching, and discomfort.

6. Indoor air pollution

Some types of room heaters, such as kerosene or gas heaters, can release harmful pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide into the air. Inhaling these pollutants can cause respiratory problems and aggravate existing conditions like asthma and bronchitis.

Here are 6 precautionary strategies to follow when using room heaters:

1. Keep flammable materials away

Ensure that there are no combustible items near the heater, such as curtains, bedding, or furniture. Maintain a safe distance of at least three feet between the heater and any object.

2. Never leave unattended

Do not leave the room heater running while you are not present or when you go to sleep. Always turn it off and unplug it when you leave the room or when you are going to bed.

3. Install proper venting

If you are using a fuel-powered heater, such as a gas or oil heater, ensure that it has proper venting to release combustion byproducts. Contact a professional to install and maintain the venting system.

4. Use a thermostat or timer

Utilise a thermostat or timer feature if available on the room heater. This helps to regulate the temperature and prevent overheating or excessive electricity consumption.

5. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Place smoke and carbon monoxide detectors near the heater and ensure they are in proper working condition. Test the detectors regularly and replace batteries as needed.

6. Regular maintenance

Clean and inspect the room heater regularly, following the manufacturer's instructions. Keep the device free from dust, debris, or any other obstructions that can hinder its proper functioning.

Remember to always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for safe usage specific to your room heater model.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

Most people have varying opinions about indoor heaters. They offer an easy, inexpensive and convenient way to beat the cold during the chilly winter season. These heaters use considerably less energy than HVAC units, too. They’re also user-friendly and don’t require expensive installation.

However, the risks associated with indoor heaters outweigh the benefits. It would be best if you only use them as a temporary solution when your heating system breaks down. Here are several drawbacks associated with various indoor heating units.

1. They May Omit Toxic Gases

There are multiple types of space heaters on the market today. Fuel-burning models run on oil, gas, petroleum or charcoal, which results in the production of carbon monoxide. Some of these heaters are vented and come with a chimney that helps to expel fumes; if this vent can be directed outside, you can keep the indoor air clean and fresh. Otherwise, it is still expelling combustion products into the room.

The pollutants from combustion can be dangerous in an indoor space. When you breathe in carbon monoxide, it takes up oxygen space in your blood. With insufficient oxygen supply in your body, you can lose consciousness or even suffocate. Space heaters that expel carbon monoxide are not rated for indoor use and will come with large warning labels.

More prolonged exposure to these fumes can damage your brain and heart. It can increase asthma risks or other respiratory conditions. What makes carbon monoxide very dangerous is that you can neither see nor smell it. By the time you start experiencing the effects, it could be too late.

2. They Can Lead to Fire Hazards

Indoor heaters can also cause a fire. Indoor heaters are the most common cause of fire-related deaths during winter. This is one of the main reasons that they are not recommended for prolonged indoor use and require special precautions when used temporarily.

Space heaters quickly rise in temperature. Flammable items, even dust, that is too close to a space heater can catch fire when exposed to the level of dry, intense heat that they produce. Curtains, bedclothes, stacks of paper or flammable furniture may catch on fire if they are in the path of an electric space heater.

Space heaters are also meant to be portable. While they’re easy to carry, this also makes them easy to tip. Homes with pets may find that the heaters get knocked down, which again can bring them into close contact with carpeting and other flammable materials.

3. They Result in Dry Air

Space heaters often cause very dry air; this can irritate your sinuses, dry your lips and skin and cause other irritating conditions like nosebleeds and rashes. They can also dry your eyes, making it harder to see clearly after a long day.

4.Others Are Quite Noisy

Some indoor heaters make annoying noises that can result in disturbed sleep. This is especially true with fan-based models that can create high-pitched whining sounds. Since fan-based heaters tend to run intermittently, light sleepers can be awakened multiple times a night to the sound of the fan cycling on and off.

5. They Can Cause Electric Shock

Like any electric item, a heater with improperly connected wires will cause sparking and shocks. The reason this is important to note here is that the current that an electric heater draws is very high. If a shock from a heater does occur, it is more likely to cause electrical burns or other health issues because of the amount of electricity that it requires to run.

6.They May Result in Burns

In addition to electrical burns, the temperature with which a space heater runs is typically very high. If they are not placed in a location that is inaccessible, they become a health risk for younger children or pets. This can be especially tricky when you consider that they must also be placed in an area that is secure, away from flammable items, near a vent if they’re not electric and in a portion of the room that will distribute the heat well.

Additionally, staring at the lit coils in a space heater has been shown to cause a burn to the corneas of your eyes.

7. They Have Extra Expenses

Most households operate on a fixed budget. The utility cost to heat the room to a comfortable temperature with a space heater is several times more than using a built-in system to heat your home. This is because they are less efficient and can only effectively heat one room at a time.

The high energy use of electric space heaters will also put a large demand on your electric circuits. It is best to plug it into an outlet with a GFI circuit breaker so that your system can shut down the outlet if it overloads it. If you use the heater on a high-demand circuit, you may have to be careful about what other electrical components you also run on that electrical circuit. Placing the heater on a high-demand circuit could mean dealing with tripped breakers.

8. You Can Only Use Them in Small Spaces

The indoor heaters offer a limited range of heat. Their primary purpose is to warm up small spaces, and it can be challenging to heat an entire house. If you have a bigger home, you may have to place several space heaters throughout the house. This makes it difficult to monitor them for safety and very expensive to run.

What to Know When Using a Space Heater

Always remember that a space heater should never replace your heating ventilation or air conditioning system. It should only act as a substitute source of heat to warm up small rooms for a limited time when no other option is available.

If you must use a space heater temporarily, check that the type that you are using is considered safe for indoor purposes. There will be something on the label that will say this; if you can’t find that information, choose a different heater that does say this. Choose a GFI circuit to plug into and limit using other high-current items like hairdryers and kitchen appliances that are plugged into the same electrical circuit. Be sure to dust, vacuum and declutter a large area around the heater and place it on a stable, non-burnable surface like stone or tile, not on wood or carpet. Keep it near the floor, not up high on a piece of flammable furniture. If you have kids or pets, consider putting a barricade of 3-6 feet around it. Follow any additional instructions from the manufacturer to ensure temporary safety. Then, call someone for a better heating solution ASAP.

Whenever you need help with indoor heating systems, you can always reach out to White Mechanical, Inc. in Foothill Ranch, CA. We are ready to help you with any cooling or heating tasks in both residential and commercial buildings. We have a great team of technicians conversant with the industry’s most current trends to resolve any issues within the shortest time possible.

You can easily access our services if you reside in Ontario, Cypress, Dana Point, Brea, Fountain Valley, Stanton, Sun City, Tustin and the surrounding regions. We provide extensive services, including duct cleaning and upgrade, dryer vent cleaning, heating, cooling repairs, installation and maintenance. We are also highly experienced in ductless mini-split systems, ceiling insulation installations, ventilation and filtration services.

Call us today to schedule an appointment, and we will help create quality indoor air across all seasons.