Do winter's cold days leave you longing for warm 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 supplemental heat is understandable if you have a poorly insulated home. However, we recommend you consider the potential long-term implications before pulling your heater out of storage.

Can Furnace Systems and Space Heaters Work Together?

Your heating system is a whole-home comfort solution that distributes heat evenly through ductwork and vents. In contrast, portable heaters deliver supplemental heat by targeting individual spaces. While this combination can make sense for brief periods, relying too heavily on your space heater all winter may prevent you from noticing underlying issues that indicate the need for furnace repair or a new, high-efficiency furnace installation.

How Much Electricity Do Electric Heaters Use?

Space heater energy usage and wattage vary widely. If you've wisely kept up with routine furnace maintenance, relying on a space heater all winter will likely increase your costs instead of reducing them. Proactively addressing energy waste 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 top concern in your household. Portable heaters can create safety dangers if you put them too close to combustible materials, so always maintain proper distances. Look for models with safety features to reduce risks. Be mindful of circuit capacity and electrical limitations, since straining circuits can cause electrical issues. And remember to check your heating system vents 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 programmable settings or zoning often achieve the same effect even more safely and efficiently. With advanced thermostat programming, you can fine-tune comfort settings, 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 outdated models that lack modern space heater safety features
  • Portable heater placement that blocks airflow from air ducts
  • Using a space heater that is too small to adequately warm the target area

Alternatives to Room Heaters for Additional Warmth

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 efficiency and safety:

  • Multi-zone heating for customized warmth
  • Installing an updated, energy-efficient heating system for better performance ratings
  • Improving weatherization to reduce thermal leakage

Balancing Efficiency and Safety

Pairing a supplemental heater with your furnace can provide temporary comfort, but it's no substitute for investing in professional furnace maintenance and lasting upgrades like improved insulation. For lasting comfort, efficiency and safety, focus on keeping your furnace in optimal working order and exploring modern upgrades that deliver complete home heating with fewer risks.