Published on

Are Portable Electric Heaters Safe? The Pros and Cons of Space Heaters and Better Alternatives for Increased Warmth in Winter

With winter approaching, many New York City residents will be turning up the heat. But if the warmth their radiators give isn’t adequate, tenants may supplement steam heat with portable electric heaters. Are portable electric heaters safe, though? Let’s look at the advantages and risks of portable heaters, as well as some alternatives that we at Bolt Electric believe are better options.

Why Tenants Resort to Portable Heaters

Unreliable heat in older NYC properties

Older New York City buildings with their early 20th-century steam radiators are certainly charming, but that allure comes with a downside: infrastructure that may not have been updated in decades…or longer. Old boilers, unreliable piping, and aging radiators can mean insufficient heat when the temperature plummets.

Many units in multi-residential properties have the opposite problem. They have too much heat, often thanks to the 1918 flu pandemic. Heating installed during this period was designed to keep homes warm even if the windows were thrown open for better ventilation to prevent contagion.

If your building has inadequate steam heat, and the thermostat is set at what should be a comfortable level, it may be due to one or more of the following problems:

• Boiler needing repair or settings adjusted
• Boiler inadequate for size of building
• Blockages in steam pipes (especially with old galvanized pipes)
• Radiator valves needing adjustment or replacement
• Poor insulation of heat system pipes

When steam heat doesn’t cut it, many New Yorkers will resort to portable electric heaters, which have both pros and cons.

Are Portable Electric Heaters Safe? What Are Their Pros and Cons?

Pros of portable electric heaters

The biggest advantage to portable heaters is their ease of use. Move a heater wherever you like, plug it in, and you’ve got warmth. It’s easy to move the same heater from room to room as the day unfolds, whether you’re working from a home office or watching television in the living room at night.

Portable heaters are also inexpensive to purchase, and there are thousands of models on the market today with a wide range of features. You can find heaters with multiple heat settings and timers, as well as in an array of colors and sizes for any living space.

Cons of portable electric heaters

Portable electric heaters aren’t such a bargain, though, once users get a look at their electric bills. If they don’t have smart meters yet, they may not realize until too late that their bill has soared. Electric heat can be quite costly. If users in your building aren’t submetered, who is responsible for covering this extra utility charge?

More importantly, there is always the risk of fire with portable electric heaters. Fires caused by electric heaters kill roughly 80 people per year in the US. There are multiple factors that can make portable heaters hazardous:

• Proximity to fabrics and other combustible materials that could ignite (including use on carpeting or tables)
• Age and condition of heater, especially worn cords and plugs
• Old wiring not meant to handle high-wattage appliances
• Using heaters unattended or while sleeping, as well as around children and pets
• Plugging heater into an extension cord or using other items powered by the same outlet
• No tip-over shutoff in heater
• Lack of smoke alarms in the home where heater is used

Better Alternatives to Portable Electric Heaters

Thermostatic radiator valves

If you have a steam heat system that’s not providing enough warmth, it could be that you need better valves. If you’re going to the trouble of replacing valves, why not try thermostatic radiator valves? These valves “talk” to a smart thermostat to create the right amount of heat from the radiator. And because the thermostat is smart, you can control it remotely and program it for automatic changes in room temperature, such as when you go to bed at night, get up in the morning, or leave for work.

Wall heaters

If you just can’t get your steam heat system where you want it, or if you have electric baseboard heaters that aren’t up to the job, installing wall heaters is safer than using portable electric heaters. These built-in heaters aren’t as portable, but they’re hardwired into a circuit and less subject to all the fire risks of portable heaters.

You don’t have to use solely electric wall heaters either. Gas heaters or small fireplaces with an electric ignition and controls may be another option, and these add a cozy ambiance to indoor spaces.

Heat pump systems

Does your building still rely on unattractive individual window air conditioners, like so many pre-war properties in New York City? You can solve two problems in one with a heat pump system. You’ve probably seen these units in hotels and motels; both heat and air conditioning come from the same appliance. They’re good for supplementing steam heat in larger spaces and may work as the sole source of heat in small rooms and studio apartments.

Heated towel bars

Does your building have chilly bathrooms? That’s not uncommon, as many are on exterior walls. Heated towel bars are ideal for after a bath or shower, and everyone from babies to seniors loves a warm towel.

Under-floor radiant heating

If you’re replacing flooring or doing more significant remodeling, adding under-floor radiant heating might appeal to you. There are many types of under-floor heating, so you’re sure to find one that works for your building and budget. This heating is a favorite of families with young kids and pets, but anyone would enjoy the luxury of being able to walk barefoot in winter in New York!

Need help making your New York City building warmer in winter without the risk of portable electric heaters? Call Bolt Electric today at 212-434-0098 to schedule a consultation.