Space heaters are a great way to keep your home warm during the winter months. They come in all different shapes and sizes, offering many benefits for homeowners. There is one question that we often get asked: can you leave a space heater on overnight?
The short answer is yes! Space heaters have been deemed safe by the U.S. government when they meet certain specifications. Here’s what you need to know about them and why they can be left on for long periods without any risks.
Types of Space Heaters You Should Not Leave Overnight or Unattended
When it comes to using space heaters, various types are not ideal to leave overnight or unattended. These include:
Electric baseboard heaters: While it is possible to use this type of heater overnight or when you are not home, they pose a risk in terms of fire hazards and other safety concerns.
House fires caused by space heaters account for an average of 200 deaths and nearly 600 injuries per year (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services).
In addition to these risks, electric baseboard heaters also consume more energy than gas-based units, so from that perspective alone, homeowners will want to avoid using them if at all possible while away from the house.
You can safely use pellet stoves as long as users have proper ventilation in their homes. Still, owners should always exercise caution when leaving them unattended because they emit carbon monoxide, which can cause serious health problems when inhaled.
Kerosene heaters pose the same dangers as pellet stoves and should be used carefully while homeowners are not present in their homes. They emit carbon monoxide like electric baseboard heaters, so you must have proper ventilation to avoid exposure or any unnecessary risks from using them without supervision.
Safest Space Heaters You Can Leave Running Overnight
There are plenty of space heaters that you shouldn’t leave unattended or running overnight. The good news is that there are still safe heaters that you can manage to leave running overnight without having to worry about anything.
The safest space heaters you can leave running overnight include:
Oil-filled space heaters – These are electric heaters that have coils in the oil reservoir. They don’t pose a fire risk but can still get too hot to leave running overnight.
Ceramic space heaters: These are some of the safest space heater options, especially if you choose one with an automatic shut-off feature just in case it gets tipped or if it falls over.
Infrared quartz portable heaters: While gas and kerosene-type infrared lamps may be dangerous when used for long periods, there is no such issue with infrared lamps that use electricity to produce their heating element. Just make sure your home has enough ventilation while they’re on throughout the night.
Fan space heaters with tip-over switch: These heaters are designed to shut off if they fall, so you don’t have to worry about it overheating. They also tend to be lower wattage, so your electricity bill won’t increase too much while using them overnight or for long hours throughout the day.
The Dyson Hot fan heater: This one has a cool mode that can be used to set it up in a room as an extra cooling device.
Infrared quartz electric wall mounted heater – When this one is on, the heating elements are not exposed that much so there’s little chance of getting burned by touching them while they’re hot.
Oil-filled radiator space heaters: These also offer low wattage and don’t pose high risks for fires or burns even if left running overnight.
Space Heater Fan with thermostat control: This one has excellent features that may be useful when you’re trying to save on energy costs and don’t want to have the heater turned on throughout empty rooms. It can be more expensive, but it’s worth every penny.
Convection or oil-filled fan space heaters: These are similar to ones with tip-over switches and automatic shut-off features, so they’re safe even if you leave them running overnight just in case your home has bad ventilation during nighttime.
Vented gas heater: You don’t need to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning when using this type of stove because a vent allows toxic gases outside while sending hot air inside. This one also has an adjustable temperature knob, making it easy for anyone who wants some control over their heating options without having to pay too much attention to what they’re doing.
Electric panel convection heater with tip-over switch: Unlike other space heaters, these have built-in ventilation features, which means more air gets circulated throughout your home rather than just staying near where the unit is placed. This keeps things warmer but without having to worry about suffocating.
There are plenty of other safe options as well, but these are some of the best ones to leave running overnight that also won’t break your budget.
We highly urge you not to use any other types unless they’re listed above or similar and meet all of your needs for safety first. Remember that even if something is new and fancy, it might just end up being more problematic than helpful in the long run.
Is it Safe to Sleep with a Heater On?
Some people sleep better with heaters on, especially during the winter months. Others have safety concerns about leaving a heater on for different lengths of time in their home.
Some types of space heaters are safe to leave running all night. However, several things can affect what type of space heater you choose and how long it is safe to run overnight.
Space Heater Best Practices that You Need to Consider
The type of heater you choose. Some heaters have a lower wattage than others and are safer for overnight use. Others may be too hot to leave on all night, so it is best not to use them at all in the bedroom or when people are sleeping inside your home.
Suppose your space heater has an automatic shut-off feature. In that case, there is no risk of overheating or causing fire damage with these types of appliances over time, making them safe to leave running while you sleep overnight without fear that they will catch fire if left unattended for long periods. You can also turn up the thermostat during the day so that heating turns back on once everyone leaves again before going to bed each night as well.
If you have a larger home, it will take longer to feel the temperature rise. If your space heater is too small for the size of the room and has not been adequately maintained over time, then there are safety concerns that need to be addressed before using them overnight or while people sleep inside.
Heaters should never be covered with fabric or other household items, as this can cause a fire hazard if they begin to overheat after long periods of use.
It’s also important to keep windows closed during cold nights when heaters are running on high because it blows out colder air that needs to be retained for heating units to work correctly without causing lower temperatures throughout homes at night due to drafts from open windows.
Remember to keep pets and children away from space heaters, as they can be a safety concern if not properly monitored at all times. If you feel unsafe leaving your space heater on overnight, it is best that you do not use them during the night or when people are sleeping inside their homes.
The safest way to leave any space heater running overnight without fear of fire hazards or other accidents is by using an automatic shut-off feature with lower wattage appliances.
These types of units also don’t need much maintenance over time, which means heating turns back on once everyone leaves again before going to bed each night as well. Heaters should never be covered in fabrics or household items because this can cause a fire hazard if they begin overheating after long periods of use.
It’s also important to keep windows closed during cold nights when heaters are running on high because it blows out colder air that needs to be retained for heating units to work correctly without causing lower temperatures throughout homes at night due to drafts from open windows.
Pets and children should always be kept away from space heaters as they can pose a safety concern if not properly monitored at all times. If you feel unsafe leaving your space heater on overnight, it is best that you do not use it during the night or when people are sleeping inside of homes.
How Long is the Best Time to Leave a Space Heater On?
The amount of time to leave a space heater on will depend on the type of heater. Some space heaters can be left on overnight, whether in a home or business setting. Others cannot and are safe to be used with more frequency but not all day long.
A general rule when it comes to leaving a heater plugged in is that if you plan to leave your house or to build unattended – even just during sleep – do not keep the unit running throughout the entirety of this period.
Are Basement Heaters Safe to Leave Overnight?
Some people are concerned about leaving their space heaters overnight because they are afraid of a fire starting. If you use the proper heater, there is no reason to worry about that happening.
People can do this by choosing an option with safety features built-in, so it will cut off if someone knocks into it or leaves it in contact with other flammable material for too long.
Basement heaters are a good choice for overnight heating because they have automatic shut-off features and low surface temperatures. Their design is meant to be left in one place to focus on the rest of your day without worrying about it overheating if it isn’t moved.
The safest options are those with built-in safety technology, such as an auto-shutoff feature that stops working after eight hours or less if knocked over. They also tend to have lower surface temperatures than other space heaters, making them safer even when turned high since children cannot touch and burn themselves as adults might do accidentally.
Precautions to Take when Running a Space Heater Overnight
Some of the precautions you need to take when running your space heater overnight include:
Look for heaters with a tip-over shut-off feature – this is one of the most important precautions to take because if your heater gets knocked over, it will shut off automatically and prevent a fire outbreak.
Make sure you set up an adequate amount of space – this means not placing heaters too close together or in high-traffic areas where they may get bumped into easily. It’s also recommended that you place them at least 36 inches away from any flammable objects (such as curtains and furniture.
Ensure there are no pets, children, or adults who cannot move freely around the room when using a space heater overnight.
Keep doors open so that warm air can circulate throughout your home during cold weather periods. This way, trapped cool air does not gather near the floor and creates an uncomfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from any combustible materials like furniture, drapes/curtains, bedding, etc.
Turn off your heater before leaving the room or going to sleep – this is a preventative measure that will ensure nobody accidentally leaves it on when they are not around, which can lead to fires if overheated.
Never leave the heater running when you are not in the room or sleeping, as this increases the risk of accidents and fires occurring from overheating.
Inspect your space heating devices once a month to ensure that it is working properly and there aren’t any damages such as leaks.
If you smell gas coming from the device, turn it off immediately. Call an expert to inspect whether something has gone wrong with its system or if it needs repairs.
You should have smoke detectors installed in your home to be alerted whenever fire starts somewhere inside or near your house – ideally, one detector per every level of your residence (elevator included).
They can also detect carbon monoxide leaks from your heating system. It’s also a good idea to have fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and escape ladders or windows if there is an emergency inside the home.
Purchase only space heaters that are approved by local building codes. This will help ensure its safety and the overall safety of your family and property if something goes wrong with it.
Can Wall Heaters Catch Fire?
This is a question that many people have asked themselves. They worry but are also curious about what the data says on this topic. There are some recent studies and results which we will discuss in this post as well.
At least one of these shows that there is no evidence to suggest wall heaters can cause fires when left on overnight or for long hours at a time. This same study revealed another interesting tidbit, which showed that your greatest threat for having an issue with space heater safety comes from portable units rather than fixed wall ones.
The first thing you need to know about any electric heating appliance (including your home’s furnace) is the risk it poses if something fails. This is not only when it comes to space heaters but anything in your home with an electrical system.
The most common issues are that they either cause a short circuit or cause a fire. In both cases, this typically results from something failing and becoming damaged somehow, which can create sparks and other safety hazards.
Luckily, if you have a high-quality fixed wall heater, there is less chance of these problems occurring. However, even if you encounter one of them being faulty, there’s no guarantee it will be able to start a fire!
With that said, though, using any wire as a heating element tends to pose higher risks to this happening. That’s because the wire could become loose over time, and when it does, it may create a risk for the unit to spark if anything goes wrong with its electrical system, leading to problems such as a fire outbreak.
Conclusion
Several space heaters can leave running overnight. But, it’s important to consider the amount of energy the heater uses and whether it needs to be plugged into an outlet or not. As long as you take safety precautions, using any electric heating system overnight should be fine.
However, if you plan or already have additional people in your while, we recommend looking at other options first before you decide on using space heaters overnight.