It’s bad to use an extension cord with a space heater
Fox Heating and Cooling Denver extension cord or power strip space heater

It’s bad to use an extension cord with a space heater

Nothing beats a long cold day than coming home and warming yourself up with the comfort of a heater. Homes all over Denver will be tapping into their furnaces, boilers, and fireplaces. Sometimes, however, those primary sources of heat don’t really keep the cold from biting. Solution? A space heater! These are convenient supplements to your home’s comfort and air quality. But there have been a few instances of misuse that Fox Heating and Cooling would like to address. It is bad to use an extension cord to power a space heater.  An extension cord and even a power strip can become a hazard when powering a space heater. Learn why and how a furnace service can help.

It is dangerous to plug a space heater into a power strip

A power strip or extension cord, no matter what type of model or rating – it is never advised to power a space heater. Powering a space heater with an extension cord or power strip creates the potential for a fire hazard or electrical problems in your home. The reason is, a power strip or extension cord is not designed to withstand the power requirements and load a space heater can possibly create. The increased strain of these resources will cause the power strip to heat up well beyond its recommended operation and catch fire. It is dangerous to plug a space heater into a power strip or extension cord because it might cause a fire hazard within your home.

Is a space heater good for my home?

Not all homes or spaces receive the best air conditioning and heating, which makes it common for rooms of a house to use a space heater or personal fan. This article isn’t saying that the use of a space heater is dangerous, but the use of an extension cord or power strip is. Space heaters are a great way to effectively supplement your home’s existing HVAC system or furnace. While it might not be the final solution, a space heater can pick up the slack in the farther reaches of your home where the ventilation doesn’t quite reach or the insulation is thin. But, if you are finding your home is requiring multiple space heaters or needing to operate one for extended periods; it might be a good idea to invest in a furnace installation, furnace repair, or furnace upgrade.

Furnace vs. Space Heater

As mentioned above, a space heater is only good for a small space in a home (like a bedroom). So if you are noticing the usage of a space heater more often or the use of multiple space heaters, there is a bigger problem to be addressed with. Fox Heating and Cooling will be able to identify the heating needs of your home and provide you with a quality estimate for a furnace service. That estimate might cover a furnace tune-up service or maybe a furnace installation as an upgrade. If you feel your furnace is “fine” and just needs a little TLC, take a look at our furnace tune-up information to see if you are able to save time and money by maintaining your unit. If you need a professional’s help, feel free to reach out to Fox Heating and Cooling servicing the local Wheat Ridge area and the Greater Denver Metro Area from our new office!

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