You may be tempted to turn on the heater to make sure it’s nice and toasty, but should you leave the heater on all night? The answer depends on type of heater you are using. Some home heat sources are designed to run all night, while others should only be run for short periods of time and should never be run unattended.
Below, we’ve explained whether you should leave your heater on all night and talked to some HVAC professionals about proper heater use and ways to stay warm at night.
meet the expert
- Robert Hammerly Principal and CEO at Greensavers.
- bill taylorR South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas are HVAC contractor managers.
Should you leave your heater on all night?
You should not leave a portable heater running all night. While there is always a low level fire risk associated with it space heaterThis risk multiplies overnight because you’re asleep and unaware of your surroundings, says Robert Hammerly, principal and CEO of Greensavers.
Hammerly recommends taking them off right before you go to bed, then making sure your bed has plenty of layers to retain heat.
“The thing is, portable heaters can work to supplement heat in a dry room, or an unvented room from a ducted system (like in an addition or a home office). garage), but they’re generally not designed to run all night,” Hammerli explains.
portable heater They can overheat if left on for too long and there’s always a risk of falling over, so it’s best to run them while you’re watching and aware.
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Use Your HVAC System Instead
Many people try to save money on utilities by turning their thermostat down (or even off) at night, and then using a space heater in whatever room they’re sleeping in, but this usually But it doesn’t work as per their expectations.
Instead, you Needed Leave your HVAC system running throughout the night to maintain a consistent temperature in your home. In fact, turning off the heating at night can make your system overwork and increase utility bills.
Hammerly explains, “Many HVAC systems and smart thermostats can be programmed to lower slightly overnight, but I recommend no more than 2-3 degree fluctuations to avoid condensation caused by indoor temperature changes. I will.” “Choosing this method is the safest way to avoid overworking your system and avoid the aforementioned condensation, which can lead to dampness and mold.”
The temperature you should set your thermostat at at night
During waking hours and when you’re at home, Bill Taylor, HVAC contractor manager for South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas, suggests setting your thermostat Up to 68 degrees Fahrenheit for energy conservation. This temperature will create the best balance of comfort and energy conservation.
Following Hammerly’s guidance of dropping your thermostat a maximum of 3 degrees at night, if you drop your home’s temperature below 65 degrees at night, you risk overworking your system and creating condensation problems. Let’s pick it up.
What to do to stay warm at night?
If you find that turning off the heater at night is making your bedroom too cold, here are some alternative ways to stay warm at night.
- Turn on a portable heater just before sleeping. Instead of running the heater all night while you sleep and being unaware, use it before you go to bed to warm the room.
- Use lots of layers. Layering your bed with plenty of cozy layers will help prevent your body heat from escaping, keeping you warm throughout the night.
- Open the door. If your space lacks vents or is particularly drafty, it may be helpful to open the door, which allows the heat from your furnace to circulate throughout the space.
- Improve your HVAC system. If you’re using a portable heater to supplement your HVAC system, it may be time to upgrade your system. Whether that means upgrading your entire unit or simply adding ductwork to reach your bedroom, HVAC units are designed to run as long as needed to keep your space comfortable.
- Install a smart thermostat. Taylor advocates the use of a smart thermostat to get the most out of your unit with minimal energy waste.
“With a variety of control mechanisms, room-specific settings, and adaptable timers, smart thermostats can control the amount of energy you’re using,” Taylor explains. “Once setup is complete, it requires little maintenance, which is a win/win overall.”
Taylor also recommends purchasing a smart thermostat through your energy supplier as it may be discounted.
