There are rooms in our home at times, which are colder than others or even the whole house is really cold. In this case, you get yourself good wall-mounted electric heaters for the rooms.
It’s at this point you start asking yourself questions like, can wall heaters catch fire?
Wall-mounted electric heaters are safer compared to other heaters. They are hardwired on the wall, so at no point will you expect the electric heater to trip and cause a fire.
They contain an electric baseboard that helps to radiate heat and wall panel units, distributing the hot air in the room. To ensure the people’s safety in each room, do not place anything flammable near the heater.
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Can You Leave a Wall Heater on Overnight?
Different heaters have different features. For wall-mounted electric wall heaters, they are hardwired into an electric wall. Therefore, there aren’t any hanging extension cords that can be moved and cause the heater to trip.
This makes it safe as no pet or a baby can temper with a cable when no adult is supervising as there is no cable on the floor space where they can access.
Electric heaters are fixed on the wall directly to the electricity source; hence you don’t need extension cords.
An extension cable is not safe as it might have more voltage units than electric heaters require or have fewer voltage units, causing an overload when the voltage is more, which causes an overheat and can lead to free risk.
If the extension has fewer voltage units, there will be less voltage reaching the heater, and hence the heater will produce less heat.
Unlike space heaters, which produce 600 degrees, which can be a fire hazard, the wall-mounted electric heater produces a temperature of around 145 degrees and still has a high heat output. This makes them safe to use compared to other heaters.
According to manufacturers, it is safe to leave the heater on all night, but it’s good to note electric elements can never be 100% efficient.
For that reason, for your safety, leave the theater for around three hours before sleeping; it will make sure the bedroom remains warm for several hours. Switch it off when you sleep to ensure you are safe.
Why Some Heaters Can Be Unsafe to Leave Overnight
Some heaters like space heaters and gas heaters should never be left overnight. One reason is they can cause a fire. According to research by the national fire protection association, heating equipment is the second leading cause of fires.
A space heater is the most used heater in homes, for there is cheaper than other heaters and portability hence can be used in any area.
This explains the statistics of more than 25000 house fires that are started by space heaters. Also, the fire has caused 300 deaths, and more than 6000 people end up burnt.
Secondly, a gas heater uses gas as a heating element, which may lead to suffocation if the gas leaks. The solution is to ensure safety at home, heat the room for around 2 to 4 hours, and then switch the heater off to avoid any accident.
Make sure you place it in the most inactive area in the house and away from any flammable material.
Thirdly, some heaters emit carbon monoxide, which is poisonous. This happens when it is left overnight, and the airflow is wanting.
Some of the carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include shortness of breath, weakness, headache, nausea, and blurred vision. In case you experience these symptoms go out to open space.
The last effect of leaving a space heater on all night is that it can cause dryness to the skin as the heater tends to dry its moisture.
It’s common to have dry skin during winter due to the weather, but the heater could also be contributing to the issue. Dry skin can cause cracking of the skin and other health issues.
Are Heaters a Fire Hazard?
As seen above, heaters are the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Also, it is noted that most of the home fires happen between December and February around midnight to 8 am, which means it is people who leave the heaters on for the night around the cold season that leads to fire outbreaks.
But in most cases, those fires are not caused by the heater’s failure but by how people use the heater. Most heaters come with safety features such as the pilot light, which regulates the amount of gas produced by your heater.
Numerous fires are caused when the heating equipment isn’t placed three feet away from anything flammable like the bedding, furniture, and curtains, in your home.
To ensure your family is safe:
- Ensure the heater you buy has met all the safety standards.
- Always place your heating appliances three feet away from the furniture.
- Ensure the house has a good airflow so there is enough oxygen getting in for the combustion and the carbon monoxide finds its way out.
- If possible, get an electric heating system as it is a safer option compared to others.
What Heaters Are Safe to Leave on Overnight?
There are heaters that you can comfortably leave unmonitored overnight. If you want to remain warm without having to worry about safety concerns, consider investing in one of the following:
Oil-Filled Radiator Heater
Do you have a small room or space that you intend to heat? An oil-filled radiator heater is a smart investment. The heater will ensure you have a comfortable night’s rest without worrying about intoxication from an all-night running heater.
Being modern stapes heating units, their design is easy to operate. However, there are a few precautions that you need to take when leaving these heaters operational overnight.
First, make sure your wall-mounted heater is strategically positioned. The position should be stable enough to avoid oil spillage. Second, check the heater’s thermostat to ensure its performance is optimum. Third, position your device away from flammable objects in your bedroom.
Ceramic Heaters
The ceramic plates in this type of room heater radiate heat after electrical power has passed through them for some time. The heat is evenly distributed in your bedroom, giving you a conducive resting environment.
It is important to note that the whole unit doesn’t get hot. It’s only the ceramic plates that get heated, which then transfer their heat.
Whenever you have had enough heat and are still sleepy, you may want to switch it off. You will be safe even if you touch the heater’s casing since it doesn’t get hot.
Infrared Space Heaters
Are you worried about going overboard in your budget? Worry less with the infrared space heater. They are pocket-friendly. Additionally, they give you just the right amount of warmth through the night safely.
These space heaters heat your bedroom. Naturally, your body temperature requires boosting when it gets cold. Consequently, the room’s temperature is heightened by the heated air. Your body will absorb this heat, making sure your sleep is uninterrupted by the cold.
To break that concept further, space gets heated rather than a specific object in the heater or room’s space. In the process of heating your room, the heater’s casing gets hot. For this reason, you need to look for one with safety features that eliminate fire risk.
The vented propane heaters, however, are not safe for overnight use. It would be best if you had a timer that switches it off after a few hours of work.
So, Can a Ceramic Heater Catch Fire?
If you have been wondering about your ceramic heater catching fire, worry no more. The heat technology evolution has led to the manufacturing of these convection space wall heaters with modern heating systems.
There are few safety concerns when you work with this first-class equipment. The device operates by the use of ceramic plates and aluminum baffles.
The ceramic plates are vital in heating spaces because when electricity passes through them, they get hot. The function of the aluminum in this heating equipment is to absorb the produced warmth. The fan in your equipment then blows the hot current into your space.
If you want a portable heater in your home, a ceramic heater is your answer. You can move the portable heating tool to the area that is cold in your house. House fires are a forgotten thing due to the energy efficiency and safety of the ceramic heater. Evidently, these heaters are safe to use without stress.
Conclusion
Heaters give us comfort, especially during winter. But we need to be very careful when dealing with them as they are a fire hazard.
Ensure your family and home are safe and are not subjecting them to any risk, following all the manufacturers’ guidelines, and seeking expert help for more information.
