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Keep Warm But Be Wise

Ask Matt

Energy Use Coordinator MATT LAMBERT encourages safety and smarts with space heaters and generators in this special Ask Matt Feature. In the winter, people are more likely to use a generator during a power outage and to use space heaters to keep warm.

space heater
DEAR MATT, MY BILL SEEMED VERY HIGH LAST MONTH, AND I’M NOT SURE WHY. I USED A SPACE HEATER TO SUPPLEMENT AND KEPT MY FURNACE SET LOW. SO, SHOULDN’T MY BILL BE LOWER? 

Space heaters seem to make perfect sense when the temperatures drop, but they often don’t make “cents” when looking at the bigger picture. 

One of the most common misconceptions is that space heaters save you money. They can be a practical solution, but you still have to plug them in, and they can pull quite a bit of electricity. 

Although space heaters come in all shapes and sizes, from large elaborate looking wooden fireplaces to small ceramic boxes, most use around the same amount of electricity. The standard size is 1,500 watts, and no matter how big it is or how much you spent, all 1,500-watt units use the same amount of electricity and put out the same amount of heat. 

Space heaters can save energy if you want to heat a small space, or supplement heat in one room. For example, if you are watching television and want to make it toasty, you can plug in a small space heater rather than crank up the furnace and heat the entire house. You can save money this way by turning down your primary heating source while the space heater keeps the room you are in warm. Space heaters are not cost-effective when it comes to heating larger areas or multiple rooms. Your furnace is going to be much more cost-effective. 

Instead of using space heaters to take the cold away, try getting to the real problems that cause you to need them. Is there cold air coming into your home or an inefficient furnace? FreeState does have access to resources, like Attic Report Card, that can help you determine if you are losing heat through your attic. 

Space heaters can be a great way to heat a small room for a limited time and are convenient because of their portability and ease of use. I use one myself in a shed that I only need to heat when I am working in it. They are just not always a great way to save money on your utility bill. 

Do some research and purchase a unit that fits your needs. Some use radiant heat to heat objects and people, some use convection that warms the air and others are combination heaters that utilize both radiant heat and convection. 

If you are going to use a space heater just remember that your bills can inflate if you’re using a space heater on top of another heating source.

Calculating costs

 

 

SPACE HEATERS ARE ALSO ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF FIRES IN HOMES. 

FOLLOW THESE SAFETY TIPS 

  • Purchase a heater with the seal of an independent testing laboratory.
  • Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
  • Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
  • Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
  • Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
  • Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
  • Keep children away from the space heater.
  • Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
generator
DEAR MATT, I’M THINKING ABOUT GETTING A GENERATOR FOR MY HOME. WHAT SIZE OR TYPE DO I NEED TO LOOK AT GETTING?

That’s a timely question! Generators are a great source of backup power. 

A portable generator is designed to have a few things plugged into it. A standby generator powers all or part of your home and can automatically start when the power goes out. A standby generator should always be installed by a certified electrician. 

I’m going to focus on portable generators. The short answer to your question is wattage. Generators are rated by wattage and the appliances in your home are also assigned wattage according to the energy they consume. Ideally, you could add up the wattages needed during emergencies, and that determines the generator size you’ll need. However, there’s a little more to it than that. 

The box below shows typical wattages for a few common home appliances. You can find this information for a specific appliance in the owner’s manual. For example, the items in that box add up to 5,300 watts to start up, and 2,900 watts to keep running. The recommendation is that you oversize your unit for surges and additional load, so for this example, you may think you need a 5,500- watt generator. 

However, if you are willing to employ a few savvy strategies, you could get by with a smaller model. This would mean staggering the start-up of the refrigerator and furnace, and turning them off for the short time you use the microwave. If you do these things, you could get by with a 3,000 watt generator, or even less if you forego the use of so many items at once. 

Do not forget about sensitive electronics. If you will use the generator for them, you may want to make sure the unit you purchase has automatic voltage regulators for protection. 

The bottom line is that the generator you purchase should fit your needs. Also, when you do purchase and utilize your generator always follow proper generator safety.

 

 

This content was featured in the December 2025 centerspread of Kansas Country Living Magazine.