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There’s no denying it’s been chilly here in the Kansas City Metro, with daytime highs that require a jacket and overnight temps that make you want to curl up on the couch with a thick blanket! Your heat has probably been on for the past month or so, and it’s perhaps kicking on regularly, especially overnight when temps are hovering around freezing. Depending on how old your furnace is, it might not work optimally or keep you warm enough, making for a chilly home.
If you have an older furnace or you’re feeling unusually cold in your home it’s probably time to replace your HVAC unit or schedule a tune-up to have it inspected by a professional heating and cooling company. When homes aren’t as warm as we’d like, especially if the furnace isn’t working well, we consider heating alternatives like space heaters during wintertime to keep us warmer.
Though space heaters can temporarily provide heat to a room, there are some dangers. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of space heaters vs. central heating systems and gauge which is best for your home before you replace or install one.
Pros & Cons of Space Heaters
Space heaters are smaller than central heating systems, often providing enough heat for one room. They can keep a room nice and cozy, but there are some dangers associated with space heaters. Below are some pros and cons for a closer look at space heaters:
Pros
Heats a Room Quickly
If you want to heat a specific room quickly, a space heater can do the trick in minutes. Most space heaters start to heat a room when turned on, blowing out warm air instantly and strongly depending on the size. Whether trying to heat a bedroom or your at-home office quickly, flipping on a space heater is a quick way to take the chill out of the room.
User Friendly
Space heaters are easy for people of all ages to operate, often with a simple power on or off switch and temperature settings. This makes space heaters a great option for nearly anyone in the family to operate. However, keep in mind that they’re so easy to operate that a child could turn them on, potentially putting your family at risk of burns or fires (more on that below).
Low Cost
Space heaters are smaller heating alternatives, making them low-cost. Unlike an alternative like a central heating system, space heaters are smaller and can be placed in a single room, whereas a central heating system can heat an entire house or multiple zones.
Cons
Fire Risk
One major con to operating a space heater is that they’re a fire and burn risk. Because they can heat up quickly and tip over easily or something can touch them and instantly catch on fire, they can be a great risk for anyone, especially children and the elderly. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), tens of thousands of residential fires occur yearly caused by space heaters.
Needs Constant Supervision
Space heaters require constant supervision when on because they are always at risk of causing a fire or burn. They can tip easily and touch surrounding objects or people, causing serious injuries and fires. Never leave a space heater on without supervision.
Pros & Cons of Central Heating Systems
Many homes in and around Kansas City have central heating systems and for good reason. If you’re contemplating installing a new central heating system, look at the pros and cons below to determine if it’s best for your home.
Pros
Improved Air Quality
Unlike space heaters, central heating systems use air filters in the vents to filter dirt, dust, pet dander, and other allergens and particles that could find their way into your respiratory system. Therefore, central heating systems keep your loved ones healthier by trapping harmful irritants like mold and bacteria. Space heaters simply heat a room without purifying the air.
Energy Efficient
A well-maintained central heating system with routine service appointments and frequent filter changes can be highly efficient, helping homeowners reduce their carbon footprint. If you need to install a new central heating system, consider one that’s ENERGY STAR certified to maximize energy efficiency.
Comfortable Environment
Unlike space heaters, central heating systems make for a more comfortable environment since they can heat the entire home or specific zones whereas a space heater can only warm a single area. You would need multiple space heaters throughout your home to maintain a warm temperature, whereas one central heating system encompasses the entire house.
Cons
Requires Maintenance
Depending on the type of space heater you have, it probably doesn’t require maintenance. Central heating systems require routine maintenance like fall and spring tune-ups to ensure they’re working optimally and any issues can be caught early before they affect the entire system. Though they require tune-ups, it’s essential for optimal efficiency to extend the life of your HVAC system.
Can be Costly Depending on the System’s Age & Lack of Maintenance
Failure to perform routine maintenance on a central heating system can result in a system shutdown and other issues that can result in costly repairs. Older systems can consume a lot of energy, working in overdrive to heat a home. Keeping up with routine maintenance, air filter replacements, and trusting an experienced and trustworthy HVAC repair company in Kansas City can prolong the life of your central heating system.
The pros of central heating systems greatly outweigh the cons. Yes, they require routine maintenance and can sometimes require costly repairs, but they’re much safer than relying on space heaters to warm a home and are more energy efficient. They also don’t require constant supervision like space heaters.
Schedule your Furnace Repair or New Furnace Install from Cates Heating and Cooling to Keep Warm
At Cates Heating and Cooling, we’ve been installing and repairing residential and commercial HVAC systems including furnaces for over 50 years, making us one of the most dependable and trustworthy home HVAC companies in Kansas City! Scheduling a furnace repair or central heating system will keep your loved ones healthier and decrease energy bills.
We’re family-owned and operated with expertly trained technicians who have provided exceptional service to all our customers for over 50 years. We service Kansas City and surrounding cities, including the following:
& more!
Contact Cates with any questions or concerns about your heating and cooling and how we can help!
