Category: Heating

Dangers of Oil Heaters – Can They Explode?

Oil heaters are one of the most popular types of space heaters that you can purchase and they have a lot of pros compared to other types of electric space heaters including being more economical and completely silent. (Mostly)

But as we all know, any appliance has the capacity to break down or malfunction.

The difference is that something like the freezer going out and food spoiling doesn’t carry the same type of weight as a space heater malfunctioning and starting a catastrophic fire.

So knowing the dangers associated with space heaters is well worth the extra time and effort.

Dangers of oil heaters

Oil heaters have a less than perfect past.

The reason is because of a massive recall of DeLonghi oil heaters between the years of 1980 and 1988.

Can an Oil Heater Explode?

The recall was due to the oil heaters having a switch malfunctioning that led to the heaters exploding.

The official reason that the units were faulty was because they were produced in Italy and not designed to work with power sources in the United States.

A simple oversight that caused a lot of deaths and 85 lawsuits.

Oil heaters are filled with diathermic oil that has the same capacity to heat and catch fire as easy as a skillet full of oil frying french fries.

However remote the possibility, there is obviously the capacity for a component to fail and cause an oil heater to get so hot that it explodes. DeLonghi proved that.

Does that mean they’re more dangerous than other types of heaters or ovens, stoves, chimneys, so forth?…

Arguably, if there had never been an  incident or incidents involving oil heaters exploding because of faulty switches,

They would more likely be known as the safest type of space heater.

That is because there are no open sources of flames or coils that become glowing red hot involved in the operation of an oil heater.

The likelihood of something catching fire around a oil heater is much less than other types of heaters like infrared heaters.

The possibility of leaking

Again, you may only be talking about a remote possibility, but oil heaters do have the possibility of leaking oil if there is a defect in the welding or crack in the metal.

Leaking is not a common complaint you hear about oil heaters yet there is a danger of one leaking and warrants saying so.

High wattage

Though high wattage may not be a danger to your body for your property, it definitely put your pocketbook in jeopardy.

Oil heaters do not heat a room like a ceramic or infrared heater. They take much longer to warm my room than other types of space heater technologies.

For that reason they are more likely to be ran on high than other types of heaters.

Most every space heater uses 1500 watts.
1500 w is the most you run on a single circuit.
That means that a oil heater is using one circuit at full capacity.

That translates to extra energy and an extra high energy bill.

Off gassing

Oil heaters are known to release a pretty strong chemical scent when they are ran brand new.

The smell a oil heater releases could be considered dangerous since it is burning off chemicals.

But it is not out of the ordinary for new appliances to have off gassing  for the first few uses.

The best policy is to turn it on high and set it somewhere where the off gassing does not effect you. Til it has dissipated.

Other aggravations

 

 

Oil Heater Clicking Sound

 

 

Not what you would call it danger unless we’re talking about being dangerous to your sanity,

But there is an issue with oil heaters making a clicking sound while they heat up and expand.

Judging by the amount of people who complain about this issue on Amazon, it’s worth mentioning.

The clicking sound is a noise that sounds like crackling when you first turn the heater on and the oil is heating up.

After the oil has heated up and the heater is at a stationary temperature, the crackling sound will go away.

Do oil heaters cause carbon monoxide poisoning?


This is at the bottom of the list because carbon monoxide comes from fuels like kerosene. Oil heaters do not burn any type of fuel and therefore do not create carbon monoxide or pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in any way.

There has been reports that the off-gassing that happens when a new oil heater is first used contains carbon monoxide but there has been zero lab studies that have proven that to be so.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a result from burning a gas heater in the house without the proper ventilation system to exhaust the carbon monoxide.

Gas heaters should be relegated to the garage and areas where there is adequate ventilation.

That brings up one more aggravation or shortcoming of oil heaters.

Oil heaters do almost nothing in an outdoor situation. They need an enclosed area where heat cannot escape to be fully adequate source of heat.

Recap

Oil heaters have a bad reputation that is warranted because the recall of DeLonghi oil heaters that happened in the 1980s. During that time multiple DeLonghi oil heaters exploded causing house fires and deaths.

The problem was identified as a faulty switch that failed because of  discrepancies between Italian and US powers sources.

Even though the problem was fixed, it still proved that given the right circumstances, an oil heater could explode and cause great humanly damage and property damage.

Other dangers  and aggravations of oil heaters include off-gassing when new and the high amount of watts consumed.

Clicking noises while heating up and slow heating times round it out.

Recalled Oil Heaters.
The serial #s are on a sticker either on the side or the bottom of the unit

Delonghi

9306, 9308, 9608, 4308, 5307, 5108, 5108T, 4707, 3107, 3107T

Sears

9306, 5008, 5009, 5307, 5108T, 3107

Welbilt

97/7308, 7308T, 97/7307

Side Effects of Electric Heaters- The Good, Bad, and Dangerous

Most people are apprehensive of using an electric space heater because of the obvious things that could go wrong.

  And most people make it a point to be extra cautious with a space heater also.

I say most, because most of us probably know somebody that’s making an unwise decision with a space heater right this minute.

And I know that is true because of the insane statistics about house fires that have been caused by space heaters.

Statistic…

According to Safety Health and Security Associates

From 2013 to 2015 there was an estimated $45,900 heating fires and 30% of those were caused by space heaters.

But electric space heaters are actually a very needed and useful appliance when you know how to use it right.

What are the side effects of an electric heater?

 

 

Advantages of electric room heater

 

1.  Warmth.

The ability to keep warm is not a small thing. And some situations,  an electric space heater can be the difference between staying warm and developing some serious issues.

Staying too cold for too long can result in problems like:

a. Hypothermia

When your body gets too cold, it can lose heat faster then it can make it.
You can eventually end up with Hypothermia.

Hypothermia is defined as a potentially dangerous drop in body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold.

It can cause shivering and fatigue, a loss of coordination and confusion.

If allowed to continue, it can cause a loss of consciousness. And eventual death.

b. Frostbite

Frostbite can happen when you walk around with cold feet and cold hands all the time.
Getting used to your feet being cold and your hands being cold may seem inevitable in some circumstances but it can eventually be dangerous.

c. Trench foot

Trench foot gets its name because of the soldiers and world war I that got stuck in the trenches with wet feet and no way to dry them or keep them warm.

d. Chilblains

Chilblains is a condition that can cause inflammation, blisters, and redness with itching.

The cause of Chilblains is is repeat exposure to cold air.

2.  Supplemental heat

When your home has cold areas that the regular heating system just does not suffice, an electric space heater is an excellent way to supplement heat in those areas.

3.  Convenience

Another side effect of using a space heater is how easy it is to produce warm air in your room.

Unlike other types of heat that require extensive ductwork and wiring, electric space heaters are ready to go right out of the box.

4.  Cheaper

Electric space heaters do not cost nearly as much to run as the central heat and air and they don’t require the typical filter changes come with HVAC s.

And the price for 1 or even a few electric spaces is what’s cheaper than outfitting your home with central heat.

And if you don’t need heat through the whole house, you simply run the space heater where you need to heat.

The bad side effects of Electric Heater

Disadvantages of a space heater

 

1.  Limited heat

An electric space heater will not heat an entire room with the same efficiency as a gas heater or central heat.

2.  Take longer

Electric space heaters do not heat up a room nearly as fast ducted central heat.

And sometimes of electric heaters like oil heaters take even longer.

The positive side of oil heaters is they also take a longer time to cool down which means less energy to run them.

3.  Fire risk

Electric space heaters tend to get very hot. So hot that anything combustible around them is in risk of catching on fire.
The number one reason space heaters catch fire is they are too close to items that can be set ablaze easily.

4.  Power Hogs

Though it is true that running a space heater is much cheaper than Central heating and Air, that does not negate the fact that nearly 100% of all electric space heaters use 1500 watts on high.

That is also the number one reason that space heaters cause the breaker to trip faster than just about any other appliance.

At 1500 w, just adding one more appliance to a circuit will trip the breaker. 

And the cost of running a space heater on high will average around $7 a day depending on what state you live in.

5.  Toasted Skin Syndrome

Toasted Skin syndrome is a condition that can affect your legs when you sit too close to a space heater for too long of a time. Even sitting in the vicinity of a space heater for an extended amount of time can cause toasted Skin syndrome.

The symptoms of it are discoloration of the skin, burning, and itching.

Recap

There are good and bad side effects to using an electric space heater.

The good effects include warmth.

Not to be understated. Without a way to keep warm, we human beings can be in a world of hurt.

Electric space heaters provide an excellent service by doing exactly what they are made for. Providing heat.

When you stay too cold too long, many issues can arise including hypothermia, and frostbite.

Electric heaters can also help lower the cost of the bill by supplementing the heat in your house so that you do not have to run the whole house heater the whole time.

And unlike other types of indoor heat like chimneys, it is much easier and convenient to plug in a space heater than build a fire or install a whole house system.

But of course there are some downsides to using an electric space heater.

The number one downside is the risk of  a house fire.

People running space heaters too close to combustible items that can ignite are the number one reason of fires caused by space heaters.

Space heaters, though in comparison to using the whole house system may not appear to be, but they can be very expensive to run.

The typical wattage of a space heater is 1500 watts on high which can result in your bill being as much as $7 higher per day while you’re in the season.

And there is just no getting around the fact that electric space heaters offer limited heat compared to centralized heat and take much longer to warm a room.

Space Heater Smells like Burning (Is It Plastic, Hair, or Fish?)

Whenever you smell burning coming from an appliance, it can be a little disconcerting to say the least.

But whenever you smell burning coming from a space heater, it tends to put you a little more on the extra cautious side.

And why wouldn’t it?

It’s a device specifically built to produce large amounts of heat, and when you smell something burning coming from your space heater, you know that it has the capacity to burn something seriously.

So what are some of the reasons why a space heater smells like burning?

Electric heater smells like burning plastic


Electric heater smells like burning plastic.

1. Melting

Though it is not uncommon to smell burning smells coming from a space heater since high heat tends to do that,

It’s a whole another issue if you have an electrical problem or if the space heater is faulty itself.

It’s pretty common to see pictures of space heaters on Amazon that have fried the plastic.

So the first thing you want to do when you smell burning from a space heater is to check and make sure that the space heater itself is not melting.

Overheating shut off is a standard feature on space heaters. Even the cheapest ones have it.

So if you find your heater melting, there is a problem with the space heater itself.

If it is, turn it off and do not use it.
I hope you kept your receipt.

2. The plug is excessively hot.

Space heaters use a lot of energy so it is not uncommon that the plug will be pretty warm but if you fill of the plug and it is very hot, there is a problem.

You may also find the plug is melting itself or burning the plastic on the outlet cover.

It suffice to say that you shouldn’t see burning on the plug or at the wall.

3. Extension cord

Space heaters and extension cords do not mix. Most extension cords are not rated to work with space heaters.

If you have your space heater plugged in using an extension cord, turn it off. Remove the extension cord.

4. Surge protector

Not all surge protectors are made the same. You can get a two pack for $5.99 or you can purchase one that cost $40.

Clearly they are not rated for the same thing.

If you smell burning from your space heater and you have your space heater plugged into a surge protector, check to make sure your surge protector is not overheating.

The best policy is not to use your space heater on a surge protector unless you are certain that you have the right one.

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TaoTronics Space Heater with Remote Control

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Heater smells like burning hairIs the Space Heater new?

A brand new space heater will usually have a few burning smells associated with it because of the materials it is made of heating up and burning off fumes.

Most space heaters these days are made out of plastic and plastic has the chemical smell when it is heated up.

There are parts inside of a space heater that are glued together also. Glue and adhesives also can cause a chemical smell when they heat up.

A lot of brand new space heaters especially radiant heaters are painted as well. Paint can present a chemical smell when heated up too.

Ceramic heaters are are known to have a odor when they are first used. The instructions for ceramic heaters often suggest turning the heater on high for the first run to let the smell of the new ceramic burner burn off.

If you have a brand new space heater that has a burning smell on its first few runs, it is for perfectly normal for a space heater to burn off many of the smells associated with new materials.

Running a new space heater on high when you first use it, will usually burn off most of the smells. But you might have to run it on high more than once to completely get rid of them.

Dusty.

Depending on how long it’s been since you’ve used your space heater, the likelihood of dust having settled on it and in it,  is pretty high.

If you smell burning coming from your space heater and you haven’t used it in a while, you can expect a few burning smells as the heater burns off the dust that is settled on it, and on the burners.

Dust after all, is made of all sorts of stuff, including insect feces and shedding skin. Yum.

Not exactly particles that you would expect to smell good as they’re burning off.

The smell of fish coming from a electric space heater is associated with all the scaly things that make up dust to. 

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Sunday Living Electric Space Heater

  • This infrared space heater is equipped with ETL certification, child lock function, and overheat protection to keep you and your family safe. 
  • Wall Mount or Freestanding, Adjustable Thermostat, Remote Control

Heater smells like burning hair

 

The heater smelling like burning hair is also common when your first running the heater after a long stretch.

Hair is a common household pollutant that gets all over your furniture and floor. And if you have pets in the house, you have more hair throughout your house than you probably know.

So it’s not uncommon that a space heater will get hair inside when it is sitting for any stretch of time.

The smell of hair burning in a space heater should go away pretty fast once it has burned off.

2.  Is someone on fire?

We shouldn’t rule out the possibility but someone is sitting too close to a space heater and their hair is getting singed.

If your space heater is smelling like burning hair than make sure that no one is sitting up next to the heater and getting their hair singed.

Stranger things have happened.

3. Space heater smells like gas

Most indoor space heaters are electric and do not use or require any type of gas at all to run. If you’re space heater smells like gas, then there is a good probability that you are using a space heater indoors that is not made for indoor use.

Kerosene heaters need ventilation that indoor space heaters do not require.

Using a space heater that requires fuel indoors is also a carbon monoxide poisoning issue.

Be certain that you are not using a space heater inside the house that is meant for a garage.

Wrap up

Space heaters come with overheating protection as a standard feature.

They are meant to turn off whenever they get too hot. Or whenever they are tipped over or leaning up against something.

If your space heater does not turn off when it gets too hot or tips over, then you should be in the market for a new one.

But if you are smelling burning coming from your space heater, you should definitely make sure that the heater itself is not melting.

You should also check the plug to make sure it is not melting either.

And if you have your space heater plugged into an extension cord or search protector, you should know that most extension cords and surge protectors are not rated for the amount of energy that a space heater uses.

The best policy is to remove those items from the equation and not plug in your heater to an extension cord for a cheap surge protector.

Most other smells associated with burning coming from a space heater are usually just the smell of dust and hair burning off.
And if you were space heater is new, you can expect the smell of plastics, adhesives and paint residuals all burning off too.

It’s also important to distinguish between electric space heaters and gas space heaters.

Gas smell coming from a space heater indication that you are using a space heater indoors that is meant to be in the garage. Gas heaters require ventilation so that carbon monoxide cannot build up.

The Best Portable Space Heater? (Our Best 2 Recommendations)

What should you look for in a space heater?

Modern space heaters have many more features than the old steal rattling boxes that were a part of many households in the 80s and 90s.

Heaters these days are much more safe and effective.

Some of the features that you can expect to find on modern space heaters include:

360° or wide angle oscillation
Rapid room warm up
Cool to the touch
Safety precautions like:
Overheating shut down
Tip over shut off
Built-in timers
Remote control
Temperature sensors that adjust with the temperature in the room.
Smart capacity.

Honeywell HZ-445R

#2 Best Portable Space Heater

 

 

Honeywell builds heaters to last. I personally have owned a Honeywell tower heater that I have used every winter for 15 years.
Honeywell ceramic surround heat is a powerhouse.

I bought this heater for my daughter for Christmas. Out of the box, it looks pretty small but all you have to do is open her door and you realize how well this thing works.
It’s small size also makes it very handy to be able to carry back and forth to the bathroom or even her cubicle at work.

The fact that it is has an automatic shut off and is cool to the touch is a big plus, especially for me and my wife and knowing that it is being used in my daughter’s room.

Cons- Auto Shut Off  kicks in to fast with the heater on high

Check the Latest Price on Amazon

Atomic Smart Wifi

#3 Best Portable Space Heater

 

 

Like every other modern device, space heaters have made the transition into being a smart appliance.

Atomi works with a smart app which allows you to schedule the heater, change temperatures,  and alert you via your phone if the heater tips over.

It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant which makes it completely voice activated.
The unit does not need to be hooked up to the Internet to run though.

It’s standard basic features include being cool to the touch, tip over safety switch, and built-in timer.

Space heaters lend themselves to being smart appliances more then other types of appliances simply because of the safety element involved.

Atomi checks all the boxes to give you the rite of passage into a new world of space heaters. It also comes with a 3-year warranty.

Cons- Requires Alexa or Google Assistant

Check the Latest Price on Amazon

My Electric Space Heater Keeps Tripping the Breaker?

Having a electric space heater that keeps tripping the breaker is an exasperating problem.

Only this past winter my wife told me that the electricity going to her office at work keeps blowing and she’s losing her computer progress every time it happens.

When they finally figured out the problem, it turned out that she had put a space heater on her feet… Which seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to do if your feet are getting cold sitting at your desk all day.

But the problem was, it was plugged in on the same power strip as her computer, her printer, her coffee machine and her microwave.

Funny but not uncommon.

Space heater keeps tripping the breaker

When your electric space heater keep stripping the breaker, you can generally be narrowed down to two or three things that you can easily check out for yourself.

1. Overload

It’s combined with other appliances on the same circuit.

Space heaters use a lot of Watts. Almost every brand of space heater you can purchase is a 1500 watt unit.

That means that they cannot run on high at the same time as any other appliance or machine on the same plug is running at all.

Not only do they use a lot of energy, most of them surge when they come on.

Taking the heater off the combined outlet and plugging it in to its own dedicated outlet could be the solution you’re needing.

2. Heater going bad

Considering the amount of wattage, the typical space heater uses, if the heater has any loose connections, you can expect that it is simply getting too hot.

Things you can check:

    1. Turn the heater down and run it on a lower temperature. If you’re still blowing the breaker, then your heater is malfunctioning.
    1. Feel of the cord running to the wall while it is running. If it is getting hot. Your machine is malfunctioning.
  1. Look at the outlet. If the plug looks melted or burned in any way, your heater it’s not working right.

If you have any of these issues, it’s time to get a new heater.

Space heater keeps tripping the breaker3. Extension cord

Since space heaters are a household item, most people do not give a second thought to plugging them into a extension cord to locate them to their most convenient spot.

The problem is not all extension cords
are rated to be able to handle the amount of wattage coming from a space heater.

If you have a space heater on a extension cord, you should be thankful that the breaker is blowing rather than the extension cord melting and catching a fire.

Though definitely not as convenient, putting the heater on a dedicated outlet without the use of a extension cord or power strip is the safest way to go.

4. The breaker itself

Breakers weaken and go out. Hello this is usually not the case, it is not impossible that the breaker itself needs to be switched out.
The easiest way to tell if this is the case or not is the plug the heater into another outlet in another room, and see if you’re still blowing the breaker.

Hopefully this helps to get you back to a safely running space heater or at least let you know that it’s time to replace it.

The main issue is that people rarely think about how many amps a electric space heater pulls. They tend to be viewed as an everyday item like any other appliance that you just plug in and go.

Unfortunately that is not the case with space heaters and though most people realize that you would have to put a washing machine or refrigerator on its own dedicated circuit, the same kind of consideration is not given to electric heaters.

In case you’re wondering, they decided to go with oil-filled heaters in my wife’s offices because of the surge and demand that the little electric space heaters were putting on their load.

How to Stay Warm Without Heat or Electricity

Are you prepared for a power outage this winter? You never know when it’s going to snow so hard that you can’t leave your house and are possibly snowed in for several days. And what’s worse, electric lines can easily snap and leave you without electricity during a blizzard.

What do you do if you find yourself in that situation?

How do you stay warm without heat or electricity?

  • Generator
  • Gas heater
  • Battery Operated Heater
  • Fireplace
  • Put on Extra Layers of Clothing
  • Wrap Up in Blankets
  • Close Up any Part of the House You Don’t Need
  • Weather Seal Around Doors and Leaky Windows
  • Warm liquids and Hot soup
  • Open the Curtains and Let the Sunlight In
  • Huddle Up
  • Go to Grandma’s house or a shelter
  • Warm Bath

Hopefully this article is a before the fact type of article that succeeds in urging you to invest in a generator or gas heater of some sort.

1.Generator

When electricity goes out, having a emergency generator on hand is the best possible scenario. A portable generator is not only useful in emergencies, it is a great way to stay warm when you are on a camping trip or hike.

2.Gas heater

Having some sort of gas heater, whether it be propane or kerosene on hand if you are stuck in a situation with no electricity to heat your home is a lifesaver. Consider purchasing a indoor vent free propane heater. You stop a heater comes equipped with a oxygen sensor that will shut the machine off if it detects a lack of oxygen in the room and the risk of asphyxiation.

3.Battery operated heater

Just like you should keep a flashlight loaded with fresh batteries ready for such a Time as this, having a battery operated space heater and package of brand new batteries handy will get you out of a miserably cold situation and sustain you till you can get the power back on.

4.Fireplace

Keeping your fireplace stocked is a simple way of making sure that you have a way of keeping warm at the electricity goes out.

How to Stay Warm Without Electricity5.Thermal underwear

Long johns, thermal underwear, whatever your favorite way of referring to them is, can give you an extra layer of warmth , whether or not you are stuck in a cold house or you’re out on a job where there is no heat or electricity.

6.Put on extra layers of clothes

Lettering up is a great way to keep the warp insulated inside of your clothes. Remember that your feet and your head is where your body heat exits the fastest. Pay special attention to where extra socks and a toboggan to keep your body temperature at a safe place.

7.  Blankets

Stocking up on blankets may seem like a waste of space until you find yourself in a situation where you need those blankets. Bundling up in a warm blanket is a excellent way of building up body heat in order to get and stay warm.

8.Close up the parts of the house you don’t need

If you find yourself with that electricity trying to warm up in your house, close the doors to any part of the house you don’t need. That will not only reduce the amount of area that needs heating, keeping everybody in the same room will combine everyone’s body heat.

9.Weather seal around doors and drafty windows.

Putting towels under the door and window seals will help keep cold air from pushing through the windows and the doors.

9.Drink warm beverages and eat hot soup

If you have a gas stove, a hot bowl of soup or warm tea can have a very warming effect on your body.

10.Open the curtains and let the sun in

During the day when the sun is out, open the shades and let the sun warm the room up. The sun coming through the window will have the extra benefit of the window magnifying it, and helping add some warmth to your home. In the same respect, close the drapes at night so that the cold night Air does not amplify through the Windows.

11. Huddle up.

Two bodies are better than one. If you have someone to huddle up with even if it’s a dog or a cat, the combination of bodies will cause an exponential rise in the amount of body heat you can generate.

12. Go to Grandma’s house or a shelter

Sometimes the best thing to do is just find a different place to get. If your home is too cold for you to safely stay then it might be time to find a shelter that will help you out during the excessive cold.

13. Warm bath

Assuming that you have a gas water heater, taking a hot bath is a great way to warm up quickly. The trick is to get dried off and into some jammies and under the covers before you get cooled off afterwards

Are Electric Heaters Bad For Your Health? Cross-Examination

Are Electric Heaters Bad For Your Health? I would have to admit that I am the first one that has a bit of apprehension when it comes to running an electric heater. Especially at night.

I can’t explain the fear other than maybe I am afraid that something is going to catch on fire if I leave it alone or fall asleep.


But I am not the only one that has an apprehension to electric heaters. Many people do.

Some of the most common worries are whether electric heaters can be bad for your health or if they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning or even cause cancer.

So are these fears based in any kind of reality or can they be put the rest using some basic logic?

First of all there’s all types of space heaters that run off electricity including fuel-based heaters that are equipped with an igniter that needs electricity to get started.

An electric space heater is more likely to be defined as a small heater that you plug in to warm a small space. A machine that is heating up coils that glow red and orange. And buzzing loudly as it does so.

So let’s take these concerns one at a time.

Are electric heaters bad for your health?

You could say that electric heaters are bad for your skin health. Because they do dry out the air.

But in truth, the whole humidifier industry is built around the ideal that heaters dry out the air during the winter months when the heater stays on so much and the windows stay closed.

Do space heaters or electric heaters dry out your skin or cause bloody noses or dry throat? Or any other dry symptom related to low humidity?

Probably.

But it’s a problem that is easily combated with a cool mist humidifier running in your home alongside any space heaters you have running.

There are also easy and natural ways to humidify your home like putting a bowl of water out into a room or just leaving the door to the bathroom open when you take a shower.

Can electric heaters produce carbon monoxide?

No. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas found in fumes. Fumes that are produced by burning fuel.

There are types of heaters that do pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because they do run primarily off of burning fuel. Fireplaces,  furnaces, even kerosene lamps and heaters all work by burning fuel.

But electric heaters do not pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because they simply do not run or heat the air by burning any type of fuel.

Do electric heaters cause cancer?

The ideal that an electric heater can cause cancer comes from the assumption that electric heaters create ultraviolet radiation.

But infrared space heaters do not create UV radiation but infrared Radiation. There is no scientific evidence that infrared radiation causes cancer.

Can electric heaters produce carbon monoxideElectric space heaters have grown leaps and bounds and now come with a variety of features like cool touch, safety shut off if the heater gets up against something or if a a item of clothing is thrown on it, and safety shut off for being tipped over.

Many of the worries like getting burned if you touch it or tipping it over and catching a fire are just not something that can take place with modern electric space heaters.

If you will follow a few basic rules there is no reason why your electric heater shouldn’t be absolutely safe.

1.  Distance
Don’t run it around anything flammable. It probably goes without saying that you’re not going to run your space heater around gasoline but remember aerosol cans can be explosive when heated to a certain temperature.  Certain fabrics can also be combustible because of plastics and nylons that are threaded in them.

2. Grounded Plug
Make sure that the outlet you have your electric heater plugged into is grounded. That means it has three prongs. Electric heaters are known for surging when they cycle on and off. If your heater is not properly grounded, you can be risking a fire.

3.  Smoke Alarm
Make sure you have a smoke alarm and that you keep a fresh battery in it.
Regardless of whether you’re running a space heater or have lighted candles in the house, smoke alarms are a must to prevent a would-be fire.

4. Not a Dryer
Don’t use it to dry your clothes. Throwing any clothes on the space heater spells bad luck. Towels that have been used to wipe up greasy messes can be very hard to get completely clean and become a fire hazard if exposed to the type of heat that comes from an electric space heater.

5. Be Aware
Don’t leave it running when you’re not around. Of course there are times when you want to have a heater on before you get into the room so that the room has a chance to heat up, and those types of situations make sure you use the proper diligence to make sure you adhere to the best safety advice.

These days, smart plugs abound, that can give you the ability to turn your heater on from your smartphone or schedule it to come on or go off at a certain time.
If you need to fall asleep with your heater on, a timer or smart plug is an excellent way to have it power down during the night so you can get to sleep and rest easier knowing that you’re not in risk while you are asleep.

6. Safety Qualifications
Make sure you only use a heater that is in compliance with all the safety regulations and is certified by UL, ETL, or CSA.

After all, What is the alternative? Frostbite? Freezing your skivvies off all winter?  We all got to have heat in the winter and if you live up north, you know how much having a space heater for your feet can make a difference.

Do electric heaters cause cancerBut if you are using a gas heater, kerosene heater, propane heater, or even just a fireplace, these are the type of space heaters that have to be vented outdoors.

If you are using a space heater that requires any type of fuel, besides making sure that it is adequately ventilated, you should also make sure your carbon monoxide detector has a fresh battery. And if you do not have a carbon monoxide detector, they are fairly cheap, as low as 15 to $20 in some cases.

How to Reset Honeywell Thermostat – Touchscreen and Program

How to Reset Honeywell Thermostat 

 

Most of us know the irritation of coming home to an extra hot or cold house only to find out that somebody has messed with the thermostat again.

Honeywell programmable touch screen thermostats ensure you are never “surprised” by the thermostat being changed again.

They also give you the advantage of being able to schedule when your heat and air comes on or stays off.

A great advantage for saving energy while you are at work or on vacation.

If you ever need a factory reset,
Resetting your Honeywell touch screen is a simple process.

But be warned “Factory reset” completely wiped all your previous setting including your WiFi password.

Honeywell Touchscreen Thermostat Reset Instructions

Menu- Preferences -Restore Defaults

Step 1. Press Menu -Located in the right hand top corner. Then use the up and down arrows to scroll down to “preferences”

Step 2. Press “Preferences”. Use the up and down arrows to scroll down to “Restore Factory Defaults”

Step 3. Press ” Restore Factory Defaults”
This will more than likely bring up a dialog box that ask you to confirm that you want to return all your settings to factory default.

Step 4. Press Yes.
You should see a message across the screen saying “Restoring factory default settings”
After about 10 seconds, the screen will go dark and the Honeywell logo will appear.

Step 5. As the thermostat resets a “please wait” message will appear on the screen.

Step 6. When you see a message asking you for your Wi-Fi details, your Honeywell touch screen thermostat has reset to factory and is ready to be freshly programmed.

Honeywell Touchscreen Thermostat Reset InstructionsHoneywell Programmable Thermostat Reset (non-touchscreen)

Step 1. Turn the thermostat off

Step 2. Look at your breaker box and flip the breaker that controls the thermostat to the off position.

Step 3. Remove the batteries

If you have the type of thermostat that has to be removed from the wall first to get the batteries out, remove the thermostat first

The easiest way to get it off the wall is to remove the batteries and hold the back plate against the wall through the battery compartment while you pull the front cover off with the other hand.

Step 4. Reinsert the batteries backwards so that the positive terminal on the battery is lined up with the negative terminal on the thermostat. Leave the batteries in for a few seconds, up to 7.

Step 5
Take the batteries back out and put them in the right way this time.
The display should come back on at this point.

The Honeywell thermostat is now freshly reset to factory.

How to Lower Humidity in a House?

What humidity level is uncomfortable?

As the old saying goes ” it’s not the heat, it’s the Humidity”

Most people have a hard time dealing with high humidity. The temperature can be somewhat mild but then humidity outside can make it feel extra hot. Andt at a certain time of the year, namely the late summer heading into fall, there are days when you can turn the air conditioner on and not even feel it because of the humidity in the air.

According to shorstmeyer.com, the humidity that most people start to feel uncomfortable is about 65% with the temperature at 90° outside.

Is 65 humidity high?

65% humidity is about the top of the scale before it becomes too miserable for most people. At 65%, according to the heat index, the temperature at 88 degrees feels more like 98°.

Is 70 percent humidity high?

70% humidity can make a 96° day feel like 126° outside. And at 70% humidity, dust mites and mold begin to be a real problem. For persons allergic to dust mites and mold spores 70% humidity can be more than hot, it can be a nightmare.

What causes high humidity in a house?

High humidity can begin in the house with the simplest everyday activities that you wouldn’t give too much of a thought to otherwise.

High humidity in the house can start from activities like:

1. Cooking – boiling water
2. Bathing – showering
3. Drying your clothes
4. Washing the dishes
5. Dirty AC filters
6. Setting the thermostat to “on” rather than Auto
7. Location-climate

Other reasons can include actual structure problems like:

1. Poor ventilation
2. Improper insulation
3. Weather stripping need replaced

How to lower humidity in house

1. Dehumidifier
2. Air Conditioning
3. Ventilation and exhaust fans
4. Heater
5. Dehumidifying plants
6. Fans
7. Shorter & Cooler showers
8. Change thermostat to “auto”
9. Crack the window
10. Charcoal dehumidifier
11. Rock Salt dehumidifier
12. Rice dehumidifier
13. Cat litter

1. Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are mobile devices that work almost entirely the same way that a air conditioner does to remove humidity except that it expels heat into the room rather than cool air.

Dehumidifiers are great for areas like a damp basement or an areas where there has been leaking pipes and or water damage.

Dehumidifiers reduce the moisture by pulling air over refrigerated coils that cause the moisture in the air to condense.

The moisture is then captured into a tank or ran outside with a garden hose.

What humidity level is uncomfortable2. Air conditioning

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are essentially the same machine only the air conditioners are used to cool the air and dehumidify the air as a byproduct.

Air conditioning is one of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing the humidity inside of the home provided it’s a refrigerated unit that condenses the humidity into the air and moves it outside.
Other types of air conditioners called “swamp coolers” or “evaporative air coolers” will increase the humidity because they are basically fans blowing over water.

3. Ventilation and exhaust

The main rooms in the house that have exhaust fans are the rooms the create the most humidity. The bathroom and the kitchen.
Showers and baths will steam up the house quicker than anything. It’s important to keep the exhaust fan running while you are taking a shower or bath to reduce humidity damage to your structure as well as mildew and mold production.

The kitchen is also a room that creates a lot of humidity from cooking and boiling water. It’s important to keep a lid on your pots and have the exhaust fan running to reduce the humidity produced by simply cooking.

4. Heater

Though most of the time people notice the level of humidity in the air is during the summer, winter also has its fair share of humidity buildup inside of the home.

You probably noticed water droplets and condensation building up on the Windows during the winter.

One of the easiest things to do during the winter to reduce the humidity is simply running the heater. Hot dry air coming from the heater will naturally dry out the moisture in the air.

5. Dehumidifying plants

Plants are natural dehumidifiers. And some prefer more humidity than others.
Some house plants that you can put in your home to help reduce the humidity in the house are:
a. English ivy
b. Boston fern
c. Peace lily
d. Reed palm

6. Fans

Using fans positioned around the house is also a natural way to reduce the humidity. Having fans operating is a simple way to dry the air out.

7. Shorter and cooler showers

A simple way to keep your bathroom from becoming a steamy Haze is to turn the temperature down on the water and not run it as long.
Another word if you don’t like the steamy feeling in the room don’t produce the steam in the first place.

8. Change AC thermostat to auto

There are many proponents for keeping your air conditioning thermostat on the on position because helps keep the air more evenly cooled when the AC cycles off.
But the other side of that argument is that the condensation never gets a chance to drip out before it evaporates and gets blown back into the house as humidity.
Keeping your thermostat on “auto” will help the dehumidifying function of the AC work much better and save you money in the long run.

9. Crack the windows

Sometimes the easiest way to reduce the humidity inside is to crack the window and open the door.
Of course if the humidity outside is 90%, this is not going to work.
But if the inside of the house feels extra muggy, opening the windows and letting the air exchange will help freshen up the room and keep the humidity down.

The next four suggestions falls under the “home remedies for absorbing moisture” heading. These are products that you probably have around the house already that you may not have known were excellent for absorbing moisture and reducing the humidity in the air.

10. Charcoal dehumidifier

Charcoal is a natural dehumidifier that can be a super easy DIY project.
According to Readers digest, charcoal briquettes can be placed in a coffee can with hose punched into the lid and placed in humid areas to absorb moisture.

Placing charcoal briquettes in bookshelves that have glass doors is a librarians trick for keeping musty odors and mowed from getting inside of old books

11. Rock salt dehumidifier

If you have ever owned a pink Himalayan salt lamp, you have noticed that it appears to leak water.
But in actuality it is not leaking water but pulling moisture out of the air onto itself and dripping off.
The same concept can be used with rock salt.
The rock salt humidifier can be easily built by taking an everyday planting pot and filling it with rock salt. The planter works good because as the salt draws moisture to itself and leaks it has a place to leak into instead of the floor.

12. Rice dehumidifier

You’ve probably heard that if you drop your phone into the toilet you can throw it in some rice afterwards. I’m not sure I’ve ever known anyone that that is work for. But rice can definitely soak up moisture from the air over a period of time.
After all, you can put a cup of rice in a pan and fill it with water and the rice will practically absorb every bit of the water.
This is the same concept as placing small containers of rice around a room to help with humidity.

13. Cat litter dehumidifier

Kitty litter is excellent at absorbing moisture. Not only can it be used for your cats, it will also draw a moisture from the air.
An easy DIY cat litter dehumidifier is to fill a tube sock with kitty litter and hang it in the closet or wherever you’re having an issue with moisture.

One application is to hang it from the rear view mirror in your car, which can help keep your windshield from condensation building up on the inside.

Cat litter dehumidifierRecap

Humidity is the difference the temperature being mild outside and insufferably hot.
At 65 and 70% humidity, the temperature can feel 20° hotter.
And when the humidity is at those levels, household allergens like dust mites rise in population considerably.

But when you have high humidity in your house, there are many things you can do to reduce the humidity including some easy do-it-yourself dehumidifiers that can be made with products you already have around the house.

Braeburn Thermostat Programming Instructions

Braeburn systems is a company based in Montgomery Illinois. Their product line includes thermostats, humidistats, and zone dampers.
They have a full line of thermostats that include programmable, non-programmable, and smart Wi-Fi, including wireless and touch screen.

Braeburn programmable thermostats allow you to schedule when your heat and air are running. A feature that will save you money by turning your air off while you’re out of the house or sleeping.

Braeburn Thermostat  Instructions

Set Up

1. Date/time

Locate the dates last time button on the keypad. Using the up and down arrows, change the hour, then the minutes, then the day of the week. Save each selection by tapping the day/time button afterwards.

2. Set the Fan

Scroll through the fan settings by pushing the “Fan” button repeatedly till you find the setting you want.

“Auto” runs the fan only when the unit is running.
The ” On” setting keeps the fan on continuously.
The ” Circ” setting runs the fan for 24 minutes and off for 24 minutes continually.
“Prog” is the setting that you program the thermostat to run the fan on.

Confused about which one to pick?
See this resource.

3. Set the differential

This is the setting that allows you to choose how much the temperature in the room changes before the air conditioner or heater comes back on.

To set it, hold the return button for 4 seconds. Pick what you want your differential to be by scrolling up or down. Some models have two and three different stage differentials that can be set using the same procedure as well.

Programming your thermostat

1. Enter the programming mode by pressing the” Prog” button.

2. Choose “Heat” or “Cool”.
Some models have a switch that you simply move into position, others require you to make your choice by pushing the “system” on the touch screen.

3. Day/time

On this step you can either choose to program one day at a time or a full week. Simply press the day/time button to choose one or the other.

4. Hours/ minutes

This is the hours and minutes of the day that you want the heat and air to run.
Hit the up and down arrows to scroll up or down to find your desired times.

5. Unoccupied

The “Unocc” mode is the program your thermostat for when the house will be unoccupied. To find this mode, simply press the “Prog” button.

6. Unoccupied mode is programmed the same way as the other settings. Use the up and down arrows till you find your desired days and times.

7. When you’re finished, press return to complete.

Congratulations you have finished programming your Braeburn thermostat!
braeburn thermostat programming instructions