Do winter's chilly days leave you wishing for cozy comfort? Many homeowners wonder if using portable heaters with furnace systems is a safe way to stay comfortable in cold temperatures. The thought of maximizing your primary heating capabilities with space heating is understandable if you have a cold house. 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 whole-home comfort solution that distributes heat evenly through ventilation systems. In contrast, portable heaters deliver additional warmth by targeting individual spaces. While this combination can make sense for temporary situations, relying too heavily on your space heater all winter may prevent you from noticing fundamental concerns that indicate the need for furnace repair or a new, energy-efficient furnace installation.

How Much Electricity Do Portable Heaters Use?

Space heater power consumption and wattage vary widely. If you've wisely kept up with seasonal furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely increase your costs 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 Portable Space Heater With Your Furnace

Safety should always be a priority in your household. Portable heaters can create fire risks if you put them too close to flammable objects, so always maintain proper distances. Look for models with safety features to reduce risks. Be mindful of breaker load and electrical limitations, since exceeding capacity can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your furnace ventilation to ensure you don't expose your family to increased toxic gas hazards when running your heat for months.

Potential Benefits of Portable Heaters

Room heaters provide customized warmth by quickly warming rooms that feel colder than others. However, modern smart thermostats and programmable settings or zoning often achieve the same effect even more safely and efficiently. With advanced thermostat programming, you can fine-tune temperature programs, reduce energy waste and even improve humidification and comfort 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 obsolete heaters that lack modern protective mechanisms
  • Portable heater placement that blocks airflow from ventilation
  • Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the intended room

Alternatives to Portable 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 safety and affordability:

  • Multi-zone heating for specific area heating
  • Installing a modern, high-efficiency furnace for better fuel economy
  • Improving weatherization to reduce energy loss

Balancing Efficiency and Safety

Pairing a supplemental heater with your furnace can provide short-term relief, but it's no substitute for investing in professional heating system service and permanent improvements like improved insulation. For lasting comfort, efficiency and safety, focus on keeping your furnace in top shape and exploring modern upgrades that deliver complete home heating with fewer risks.