Electric Space Heaters: What to Know Before You Plug One In

When winter temperatures drop, it’s natural to look for ways to stay comfortable without turning up the thermostat for the entire house. Electric space heaters are a popular solution because they can quickly warm a single room where you work, relax, or spend most of your time.

Used thoughtfully, a space heater can add comfort. Used carelessly, it can add cost or risk. Here’s what’s worth knowing before you bring one home.

How electric space heaters help

Electric space heaters are designed to provide supplemental heat, not replace your home’s main heating system. They work best in small, enclosed spaces like home offices, bedrooms, or workshops where you want to take the chill off without heating unused rooms.

Many modern heaters use ceramic or PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) technology, which heats up quickly and regulates temperature more evenly than older coil-style heaters. Models like the PowerZone PT 700 are compact, portable, and easy to move from room to room as needed.

The honest truth about energy use

This is the part that often gets overlooked: electric space heaters do increase your electric bill.

A typical 1,500-watt space heater uses about as much electricity as a hair dryer or microwave. Running one for several hours a day can noticeably raise energy costs, especially if multiple heaters are used at the same time. This is not theoretical; this is our firsthand experience. It shows up on the bill.

That doesn’t mean space heaters are a bad choice. It means they are best used strategically. Heating one room you actively use can still be more cost-effective than raising the temperature for the entire house, but leaving a heater running all day or overnight will add up quickly.

Tips for smarter, safer use of space heaters

To get the most benefit with fewer downsides, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Use a space heater only in the room you’re occupying and turn it off when you leave.
• Choose a heater with built-in safety features such as tip-over protection and overheat shutoff.
• Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet, never into a power strip or extension cord. Keep heaters at least three feet away from curtains, furniture, and anything flammable.
• Consider lowering your main thermostat slightly and using a heater briefly, rather than running it continuously.

When a space heater makes sense—and when it doesn’t

Space heaters are ideal for temporary comfort: a chilly office, a drafty corner of the house, or a room that doesn’t get enough heat from the main system. They are not intended for whole-house heating or long, unattended operation.

If you find yourself relying heavily on space heaters every winter, it may be worth talking with a professional about insulation, sealing drafts, or improving your home’s primary heating efficiency.

We’re here to help you choose wisely

At Frank Burton and Sons, we carry a variety of space heaters and can help you select one that fits your space, usage habits, and safety needs. More importantly, our team is always happy to talk through whether a space heater is the right solution—or if another approach would serve you better in the long run.

Stop by, ask questions, and let us help you stay warm in a way that’s comfortable, practical, and informed.

Featuring the PowerZone PT 700

Here’s a product overview:

• PowerZone Portable Electric Heater
• 120 V, 12.5 A
• Wattage Rating: 1500 W
• Number of Heat Settings: 2
• Heating Capacity: 1500W
• Heating Technology: PTC
• Cord Length: 72 in
• Black Plastic
• Dimensions: 8-1/4 H x 6 W x 4-5/8 D in.

Stop by Frank Burton and Sons and pick up a space heater to take the chill off.

Need to warm up cold spaces?

If you want more ideas on ways to banish the cold, check out other space heaters we carry or consider sealing drafty windows.

You may also find these related posts helpful:

➡️ Space Heaters – These are other space heaters at Burton’s

➡️ Get those drafty windows sealed – Find other ways of warming up your living space

➡️ Space Heater Page – check out the variety of space heaters we carry