Think Twice About Space Heaters  

Get tips to stay comfortable while saving energy at home this winter. 

Some people believe that turning down your thermostat and using an electric space heater will save money. A space heater can be one of the most expensive ways to heat your home. At today's prices, electric heat costs at least eight times as much per BTU as natural gas. Running a typical 1,500-watt electric space heater four hours each day for a month would cost $25. 

 

Instead, consider some low- or no-cost ways to warm: 

• Use a heated blanket or heating pad. 
• Put on a sweater. 
• Get up and move around. 
• Let the sun in during the day to warm a room and close your window treatments at night to keep out the colder night air. 

If you do use a space heater, make sure to follow these safety guidelines from energy.gov: 

• Electric heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. If an extension cord is necessary, use the shortest possible heavy-duty cord of 14-gauge wire or larger. Always check and follow any manufacturer's instructions for the use of extension cords. 
• Buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if the unit is tipped over. 

Visit mge.com for more details about space heaters. 

published: Nov-23-2020