Supplemental Heat Use Requires Good Judgment

    Heating and cooling a home and keeping it comfortable is likely the largest source of household energy use and related cost. Surprisingly, heating is often even more expensive than air conditioning. Perhaps this is because it may be easier for us to conserve air-conditioning use, as high summer temperatures are not as far removed from normal body temperature as low winter temperatures. Many homeowners keep their fingers crossed every winter, hoping that it will be mild. Due to high heating costs, many families choose to supplement their current heating system with inexpensive space heaters. These are useful if the end user can exhibit good judgment by choosing a heater that is energy efficient and following safety precautions.

    Ideally, supplemental heat should help keep your home warm and comfortable while keeping heating costs in check. A supplemental heat source is not worthwhile if, during the period in which you use it, heating costs from electricity, oil, or gas remain unmanageable. In some cases, the use of supplemental heat is unavoidable, so costs must be monitored closely. For example, if a home's primary source of heat is from a heat pump, during a period of extreme cold, supplemental heat is absolutely necessary. When temperatures are at or below freezing, there is no warm air for the heat pump to draw from the outside conditions and the heat pump will run constantly without producing indoor warmth, thus wasting a massive amount of energy (and money).

     Safety precautions must be followed when using a space heater for supplemental heat. A space heater used incorrectly is a prime example of a common household fire hazard. For instance, you should never use an old space heater, since it will lack key safety features. You should never plug in a space heater with an extension cord, but always plug it directly into the outlet. Always keep the heater at least three feet away from combustible items such as curtains, furniture, and clothing. Children should never be allowed to play on or near the heater. Never leave the heater unattended.

      

Two types of portable space heater include oil filled radiators and infrared space heaters (which usually operate using gas or electricity). Most people are familiar with radiators and would recognize such a heater with its even row of exposed pipes. Most are also familiar with the infared heater. Even if they don't know what it's called, they will recognize the metal heating elements which turn bright orange when hot, like a burner on an old-fashioned stove. Both are useful for heating small areas, but one should always remember that good judgment and caution are necessary when purchasing and using these units.

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Or you can have a look at Wikipedia