How to Take Care of Your Electric Heater

Whether you use small space heaters to supplement your central heating or you are storing them away from a bad storm, space heaters need the same care and attention that regular heaters do. Sometimes they need a little extra vigilance because they're mobile.

How can you make space heaters last longer and stay safe?

Many of the same maintenance steps and precautions you would take for your central heating also apply to space heaters, such as clearing away dust and fuzz from the vents and setting a temperature you're comfortable with instead of turning it on and off to regulate the temperature. Keep reading for some of the other steps you should take.

Keep the space heater out in the open.

Even though space heaters work best in small, enclosed rooms, you still want to give it plenty of room to breathe. Make sure it's away from the walls, furniture, and flammable curtains. You also want the heat output vents to stay at least two to three feet away from skin.

Don't keep it near your humidifier.

If your house has a humidifier, or separate rooms have individual humidifier units, keep the two away from each other. Electric heaters can handle moisture in the air, but shouldn't be exposed to water or a blast of humidity.

Train your pets to keep their distance.

Aside from investigating a new, noisy object, your pets will be interested in laying right in front of the vents to soak up all the heat. Teach them to stay away from it, or place it on a table that is too small for your cat to fit on top with it, for example.

Here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., we want to provide you with information that will keep you and your loved ones safe. If you own an electric heater, it is important that you take the necessary safety precautions.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions and service needs that you may have when it comes to heating and cooling your home.

‘Tis the Season for a Chill

No doubt about it, there is a certain chill in the air that is destined to stay. In many ways, I truly love this time of year. It’s the time for hearty soups, thick coats and crackling fires. It’s a nice change (for a while, anyway) from the long hot days of summer.

Each season we move through reminds me to appreciate all the ones we have. I think I would get bored if I were cold all the time or even hot all the time. So, it’s nice to experience the changes. Changing things up a bit does require more work for us though. There are leaves to pick up, chimneys to sweep and furnaces to tune up before we can truly enjoy winter for what it is.

If you need help getting your home comfort system ready for the winter chill, give Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. a call at Porter County: (219) 464-9181 / Lake County: (219) 736-0300 or contact us here. We are always ready to help our customers enjoy their time indoors during this particularly brisk season.

Did You Know...

About half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. That means your home comfort system can have a big effect on your utility bills. So taking care of it can save you a lot of money on your energy bills and also improve your home comfort.

A good way to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently through each season is to get a tune-up. I know what you’re thinking; that’s what you do for a car. But your home cooling system, like a car, requires maintenance to run well. Just like a tune-up for your car can increase your gas mileage, a tune-up for your cooling system can increase efficiency and comfort.

If you are interested in learning more about how to get your system tuned up and ready for the weather change, read “Smart Home Value.” You can get your home comfort system where it needs to be and start seeing instant savings.