Should Space Heaters Be Unplugged When Not in Use?

Space heaters can keep you warm throughout the day, but should you keep them on all the time? Probably not. However, many people wonder if they’re supposed to unplug their space heaters when they’re not warming up the room.

Space heaters should be unplugged when not in use because they trickle electricity through the cord. Your electrical bill will go up, and the plugged cord can create a tripping hazard. Many space heaters have anti-tip-over fuses that trip when the heater falls over.

Keeping your space heater plugged in can be convenient, but it’s worth knowing the handful of detrimental effects it can have. Once you find out what it can do to your home and utility bills today, you can decide if it’s right for you.

Can You Leave a Space Heater Plugged in but Off?

You can leave a space heater plugged in but off, but keep in mind that the space heater can turn off if it has a thermostat. Space heaters that use thermostats adjust the temperature every time it dips below the desired setting. Unlike air conditioner units, portable space heaters won’t lower the temperature.

Keeping your space heater plugged in when it’s not being used won’t affect its temperature. If you turn it on, the space heater might crackle since the metal will expand. On the bright side, it almost never has anything to do with the plug or any electrical problems.

The biggest issue people face when leaving their space heater plugged in is whether or not it uses energy. If your space heater uses energy, there’s no doubt that it’ll increase your monthly expenses. Space heaters aren’t cheap to run, but they’re not bad when they’re turned off.

Try the Kumin Electricity Usage Monitor to learn how much energy your space heater uses when it’s off. You might be surprised that it’s much more than other devices that aren’t being used. Plug the monitor into the wall outlet, then plug the space heater into the monitor for instant readings.

Does a Space Heater That’s Plugged in Use Electricity?

A space heater that’s plugged in uses electricity, though it’s minuscule compared to a space heater that’s turned on. Any electrical device that’s on or connected to the wall will use a little bit of energy. This energy powers the on/off lights and provides a current to activate the space heater.

Here’s a list of three reasons a space heater uses electricity, even when it’s not heating the room:

1. Space heaters often have indicator lights that tell you when they’re on or off. Your space heater might also have lights that show the fan setting, timer, and so on. If your space heater is off but on a timer, it will turn on if it’s plugged in.
2. Any electric heater on the market needs a reliable source of electricity. It won’t be able to turn on if it’s not plugged in. When you leave it plugged in but off, your space heater will be ready to activate whenever you turn the knob or switch.
3. Electricity follows a current through the wall outlet. If there’s a cable plugged in from the space heater to the wall, a small amount of energy will move through the line. However, if the cable isn’t completely plugged in, it can cause electrical arcing that damages the cable.

Space heaters work better when they’re far from walls, furniture, blankets, and so on. The small amount of electricity moving through the deactivated space heater’s cable won’t damage the appliance. Nevertheless, your space heater is at much greater risk when it’s plugged in than when it’s not.

Can You Leave a Space Heater Plugged in Overnight?

You can leave a space heater plugged in overnight if it’s off. Some companies recommend turning off their space heaters after a couple of hours. Never use your space heater longer than recommended by the manufacturer. Unplugging the space heater at night prevents you from tripping, though.

Today claims there are up to 1,700 annual fires caused by space heaters unattended. Since you’re asleep throughout the night, your space heater will be unattended. It’s best to avoid adding your space heater to this statistic by turning it off and unplugging it every night.

The least you should do is deactivate your space heater when you’re not using it. If it’s plugged in at night, you might fall over it or rip the cable out of the wall outlet. The same rule applies to using a tower fan in a bedroom. Neither appliance should be used when you can’t monitor it.

If you want to keep your space heater plugged in overnight, consider these tips:

• Use a wall outlet timer to turn off the space heater after a designated amount of time.
• Unplug the space heater if you wake up in the middle of the night.
• Close your windows to prevent heat from leaving the room.

How Long Can You Leave a Space Heater Plugged in For?

You can leave a space heater plugged in for between two to ten hours if it’s on. However, most space heaters can be plugged into a wall outlet indefinitely when they’re off. Your space heater shouldn’t feel too hot to the touch, especially if you’re touching the carrying handle.

The amount of time you use your space heater depends on how long you can be near it. For example, if you’re only near your space heater for half an hour before you leave for work, unplug it before you leave. Washington Post explains you shouldn’t leave any room with a space heater for too long.

However, you can keep the space heater off but plugged in for as long as you want. If it’s not running, the only issues your space heater causes are minor energy usage and a potential walking hazard.

Final Wrap-Up

Unplugging a space heater is a good practice. While a plugged-in space heater isn’t too much of a problem, it’s not worth the risk. You’ll save yourself from potential tripping hazards and annoying utility bills by unplugging and wrapping the cord whenever you’re not using the space heater.