Safety

Some space heaters are made specifically for families with children. However, most of these “child-safe space heaters” are actually regular space heaters that are designed to look child-safe. But inherently, there’s nothing that makes them safer than space heaters for adults. I really dislike the marketing scheme here. Just designing a dangerous device to look safe doesn’t make it safe. Especially not for children. In this article, we’ll have a look at space heaters that are very safe for children, regardless of whether they are designed to look like baby / child products, or not. ...

Can space heaters explode? Space heaters can catch a fire if you use them incorrectly. But will they explode? That’s important because an explosion could stun you and limit your ability to take action. Hi, I am Daniel, an electrical engineer, and in this article, we’re going to check whether space heaters can explode and the fascinating engineering behind explosion-proof space heaters. Luckily, space heaters don’t explode. In fact, it’s impossible for a space heater to explode. Let’s have a look. ...

Do space heaters burn oxygen? The cold season is approaching and there are plenty of space heater myths and misconceptions that make you stop and hesitate. If space heaters really burn oxygen, maybe you should find another way to heat. Should you? Let’s stop the speculation and get right to the core of the matter. Here’s the answer: Electric space heaters never burn oxygen, since the source of the heat is not a chemical reaction. Only fuel-burning heaters such as propane heaters or kerosene heaters do burn oxygen. However, due to tiny oxygen inflow streams from outdoors through gaps and creeks, and the built-in oxygen depletion sensor many fuel-burning heaters are absolutely safe to use indoors. ...

Are air purifiers safe for pets? 4 months ago, my girlfriend got a puppy. Naturally, I have to take care of her. However, as an HVAC blogger, I have all kinds of devices at home, including an air purifier. So, how did things turn out? Did the dog survive the air purifier? (… joking) In this article, I am going to guide you through using air purifiers with pets. After reading this, you’ll know exactly: ...

Can you use an extension cord for an air purifier? In this article, we’re going to explore the art of using extension cords with air purifiers and how to stay safe at all times! Extension cords can pose a risk when not used appropriately. While air purifiers generally consume much less power than similar devices (such as portable air conditioners), safety precautions are still essential. Most extension cords can handle the little power an air purifier draws. But a very bad quality extension cord that can’t handle the required power can pose a risk of melting or even catching fire. ...

Do you need to refill a swamp cooler or can you run it without water? In this article, we’re checking how a swamp cooler uses water to cool and what happens once it runs dry. Contrary to popular belief you can run a swamp cooler without water! And in extreme situations, you can even refill a swamp cooler without access to water. Let’s find out how! Quick answer: Yes, you can run a swamp cooler without water. Once the water runs out, it becomes a simple fan. So, you still have a (reduced) cooling effect. In an emergency, where you don’t have access to water, you can collect morning dew by placing the water pads outdoors overnight. The humidity is enough to cool you in the afternoon heat. ...

What is the safest propane heater? When it comes to propane heater safety, everybody is claiming different things. In this article, I am going to uncover propane heater safety myths and tell you only the facts that everybody agrees on. For an experiment, I bought a propane heater, and actually tried to burn things. And I measured propane heater temperatures using a laser thermometer. Based on the measurements, you can tell what is and what isn’t a safe propane heater. ...

Are Mr. Heaters safe to use in a tent? Many use Mr. Heater Buddys (and other models) as their primary outdoor heat source. They are great in cabins, RVs, and in workshops. But can you use a Mr. Heater in your tent? In this article, we will check whether Mr. Heaters can ignite or melt tent walls and whether they emit carbon monoxide. And of course, we will check whether it’s possible to run a Mr. Heater for a full night in a tent. ...

Can you use a gas stove as a heater? Especially in emergencies, when there is no electricity and even central heating turns off, you need a backup heat source. If you have a gas stove at home, then using it could be an option. In this article, we’re going to check everything you need to know about emergency heating using your gas stove. And you’re going to learn about better (and more cost-efficient) alternatives to gas stoves. ...

Can you put a space heater on a table? When I googled this phrase initially, I found answers diverging all over the place. People answered “yes” and “no” everywhere without actually proving their point somehow. I am going to place my three space heaters (oil-filled radiator, infrared heater, and propane heater) on top of a living room table and see if anything happens. Additionally, I am going to prove that you can place your space heater on tables as well using simple physics. ...