Thinking About Wall Heater Safety? This Choice is a Safe One
The perks to wall heating with electric technology are considerable. These heaters are economical, efficient, simple to install, and offer quiet heating with minimal disturbances. They're also perfect for small spaces as they don't take up any floor space.
Enjoying exceptional heating with one of these units is easy, simply follow a few safety rules and you can benefit from a great supplemental source of warmth.
To gain a better understanding of how to keep your home and family safe, take a few moments to become friendly with its history.
Wall Heater History
The wall heating system is the descendant of the radiator. Low-cost cast iron radiators took central heating by storm in the latter half of the 19th century. Early radiators used coal-fired boilers to pump hot water through piping, delivering heat to every radiator in the home.
Next came gas heaters in 1881. Naturally, a unit of this sort required a gas line to generate warmth. Traditionally, these gas models needed vents to operate, but science later brought around the ventless gas heater.
So although there are still safety concerns with an electric heater, they are safe and simple to use.
Wall Heater Technology
Using electrical resistance to create heat, this heater warms air within a room. Air circulates, elevating room temperature to a comfortable level. This is also known as convection heating previously seen in built-in radiators.
The interior of the unit contains a metallic heating element which takes the high-voltage electric current from the outlet and processes it through a resistor.
This resistance heat is then transferred outward to the exterior of the unit via metal fins. From the metal fins, the heat is transferred to the air currents in the room.
Once released, the heat rises, pulling in air to fill the empty space the heat has left. This phenomenon, a vacuum, is what naturally distributes the warmed air around you.
Wall Heater Safety
The biggest threat to your home when using one of these heating units is a fire hazard. Although there are no open flames, combustible oils and gasses, or easily ignitable materials, such as wood, a fire hazard is still possible.
As mentioned above, convection technology uses intense heat emitted from the coils to warm the air. It's best to place this heater well away from combustibles of any kind and anything else that can get hot and burn. Below are some examples to follow.
Furniture Hazards
When a couch or curtain is placed too near, the heater becomes suffocated. The air flow stalls, building a surplus of heated air in a contained area. Check your home to be sure that furniture is not stifling your own wall heater.
Not only would this cause inefficient heat, by preventing warm air from circulating outward, but it also prompts a visit from the fire department.
The furniture becomes too hot, causing it to spark and catch fire.
Each wall unit will have slightly different manufacturer recommendations for clearance from objects. Follow manufacturer instructions for proper use.Combustibles
- Blankets and linens
- Sweaters, cotton, and wool
- Solvents
- Cleaning Liquids
- Cigarette Lighters
- Matches
- Alcohol
- Paint thinners
- Greasy or oily old rags
- Old newspapers and magazines
- Thick, frayed rugs
Blown Fuses
We've addressed multiple ways to use a wall heater safely. There is one more concept to remember. Make sure your electrical power source is operating properly. Hot electrical sockets and plugs, as well as blown fuses can overheat and cause a damaging fire.
Beware of sparks brought about by exposed wires or overloaded plug socket adapters and extension cords.
If your adapter has more than two sockets or is old, make sure to purchase or update to one with a surge protector.
Keeping your home safe and comfortable with a wall heater is easy, as long as you follow these simple guidelines! To find an option that's perfect for your home, or for additional information, check out our selection of wall heaters.
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