Do winter's frigid days leave you wishing for toasty warmth? Many homeowners wonder if using portable heaters with furnace systems is a safe way to stay comfortable in cold temperatures. The appeal of enhancing your main heating capabilities with space heating is understandable if you have a drafty home. However, we recommend you consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.

Can Furnaces and Space Heaters Work Together?

Your heating system is a complete home heating solution that distributes heat evenly through air ducts and vents. In contrast, space heaters deliver supplemental heat by targeting individual spaces. While this combination can make sense for short-term use, relying too heavily on your space heater all winter may prevent you from noticing root problems that indicate the need for furnace repair or a new, energy-efficient furnace installation.

How Much Electricity Do Space Heaters Use?

Space heater electricity use and wattage vary widely. If you've wisely kept up with routine furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely boost your expenses instead of reducing them. Proactively addressing thermal loss by replacing old insulation and draft stoppers typically delivers better results than combining a patchwork of solutions.

Precautions to Take When Using a Space Heater With Your Furnace

Safety should always be a primary consideration in your household. Space heaters can create fire hazards if you put them too close to flammable objects, so always maintain proper distances. Look for models with automatic shutoff mechanisms to reduce risks. Be mindful of breaker load and circuit capacity, since straining circuits can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your furnace ventilation to ensure you don't expose your family to increased CO dangers when running your heat for months.

Potential Benefits of Space Heaters

Room heaters provide individual heating by quickly warming rooms that feel colder than others. However, modern smart thermostats and temperature scheduling or zoning often achieve the same effect even more safely and efficiently. With smart thermostat optimization, you can fine-tune comfort settings, reduce power consumption and even improve indoor air quality at lower temps without relying on additional appliances.

Avoid these mistakes when using space heaters alongside your furnace:

  • Relying solely on space heaters to replace your heating system
  • Using old units that lack modern safety technology
  • Heater positioning that blocks airflow from HVAC vents
  • Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the target area

Alternatives to Room Heaters for Supplemental Heat

You don't have to use multiple devices or keep lugging a heater around different rooms in your home. These solutions often outperform space heaters in cost-effectiveness and security:

  • Multi-zone heating for specific area heating
  • Installing a modern, advanced HVAC unit for better performance ratings
  • Improving thermal barriers to reduce energy loss

Balancing Efficiency and Safety

Pairing a space heater with your furnace can provide short-term relief, but it's no substitute for investing in professional furnace maintenance and long-term solutions like improved insulation. For lasting warmth, savings and security, focus on keeping your furnace in optimal working order and exploring modern upgrades that deliver complete home heating with fewer risks.