We’re well on our way to winter, the time when we want to cocoon and stay comfy in our homes. To do that sometimes requires a little extra heat, so we roll out a portable heater, or two.
“When choosing a space heater, buy one with an automatic shut-off switch, so if it’s tipped over, the unit shuts down,” said Gene Morris, Clark Public Utilities safety manager.
Even the safest electric heaters require caution. If possible, never hook one up to an extension cord. Instead, plug the heater into the wall. This eliminates an exposed cord someone could trip over.
Pets and children need protection, so buy a heater with guards to prevent burns. Then make sure it’s at least 3 feet from any combustibles — bedding, draperies, or furniture. Water is a conductor of electricity, so don’t place a heater in a kitchen or bathroom.
Never sleep with a space heater on or leave unattended. Unplug when it’s not in use or when away.
Winter also means high winds, ice, and snow that can bring down power lines. When the power is out, don’t be tempted to warm your home with a propane or kerosene heater in an emergency. They burn fossil fuels and emit carbon monoxide, an odorless, but toxic gas. For the same reason, also take care when using an auxiliary generator.
“Never run a generator inside your home or garage,” Morris said. “Its poisonous fumes build up in closed spaces.”
The exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a by-product of burning and the main cause of poisoning in the United States.
For Clark County, electric service is very reliable due to proactive tree trimming and system maintenance, but an auxiliary generator can be practical and cost-effective for power outages. They cost a few hundred to a thousand dollars, depending on their capacity.
Portable generators produce up to 7,000 watts of electricity, not enough to power a home. Use them to power appliances as needed — run the refrigerator for a while, then the stove, then the freezer.
Your generator’s wattage must be slightly more than its entire load. If you just want to run your TV, fridge, coffee pot, and a DVD player, a generator putting out about 2,000 watts should do. If you want to power your furnace, a well pump and fridge, then buy a higher-wattage unit.
Morris recommends using a UL-approved outside extension cord with amperage enough to power your appliances. The amperage rating is noted on the cord. Appliances also list their wattage and amperage ratings. To figure out what you can run, you will have to do some arithmetic. In general, be careful not to overload the unit.
Position your generator outdoors in a dry location, away from windows, and with 3 to 4 feet around it to allow adequate ventilation and cooling. If necessary, shelter it from rain with a canopy. When the generator needs fuel, shut it down and avoid spills when refueling. Fuel on a hot engine can ignite.
“When you get your portable heater or generator out for winter,” Morris said, “it’s a good time to test whether your fire and carbon monoxide alarms are working too.”
For safety, place alarms outside every bedroom and in the kitchen and garage. It’s even more important if you heat your home with an open flame–wood and pellet stoves, fireplaces, or gas furnaces. Exposure to carbon monoxide is deadly and can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea before resulting in unconsciousness.
Anyone sensing such symptoms needs to dash outside immediately, opening exterior doors and windows to help air out the home.
We want our homes to be comfortable and warm, but it’s important to keep safety first and be prepared for power outages.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
