Remember Safety With Space Heaters

Q. I’m shopping for an electric space heater to take the chill out of my reading room. What should I buy? - J.N., Spokane

A. All electric-resistance portable space heaters are 100 percent efficient. This means that all of the electricity they use is converted into usable heat for your room. One is no more efficient in using electricity than the other. Safety, comfort and convenience are greater issues than efficiency in comparing portable electric space heaters.

For safety, the heater should have an automatic shut-off as a precaution should the heater be tipped over. Also, you should be able to touch the outside surfaces of the heater without being burned.

For comfort, be sure the heater is the right size for the space you are trying to heat. Are you trying to heat the entire room or just a small area around your reading chair? If noise is an issue, consider fan units that are quieter. Or, perhaps radiant heaters, which are like portable baseboards, may be more appropriate. Another comfort issue may be how fast the room heats up. Fan units tend to heat the room quicker.

Convenience may also be a factor in your decision. How much space will the unit occupy? Will it have a major impact on your furniture placement? Are you planning on moving the heater around with you a lot? A portable four-foot baseboard heater may be inconvenient, while a small ceramic heater with a fan may be easier to move and may provide heat quickly. The unit should controlled by a thermostat, allowing you to vary the amount of heat delivered to the space so that you don’t have to manually turn the unit on and off. You should turn portable units off when you leave the room for both safety and energy-saving reasons.

Using space heaters is one of those things you can do inside the house to keep you warm during the winter season. Use them with caution. Keep them clear of combustible furniture, drapes, and blankets.

On another subject: Routine preventive auto maintenance not only improves your car’s fuel economy, it can reduce unhealthy tailpipe emissions and help you avoid vehicle problems and costly repairs.

Spokane drivers will have an opportunity to take a closer look at their car’s health - for free. An informative Car Care Fair will take place Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at University City mall.

Representatives from the Automotive Service Association will inspect head- and taillights and replace any burned-out bulbs for free. In addition to checking tire pressure, automotive students from Spokane Community College and specialists from the Department of Ecology will be on hand to perform the following:

Air-conditioning CFC leak detection.

Emissions screening.

Hose, belt and fluid-level checks.

This event, sponsored by several local and state organizations, is part of National Car Care Month.

For a free factsheet, “Easy Ways to Save Gasoline,” contact the Energy Hotline at 324-7980 or toll-free (800) 962-9731.

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