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Fergus Falls, MN\u00a0 (OTPC) Many people use portable heaters to add warmth to select areas in their homes rather than increase thermostat settings. To help ensure efficiency and safety, Otter Tail Power Company offers these tips for buying and using portable electric space heaters.\n\u2022 Don’t believe claims of added efficiency on overpriced electric space heaters. All electric space heaters operate at 100 percent efficiency. Because they convert all the electricity they use to heat, they all are equally efficient. \u201cDon\u2019t fall victim to a scam,\u201d says Senior Market Planning Specialist Theresa Drexler. \u201cElectric room heaters that sell for several hundred dollars are not more energy efficient. Portable heaters of equal wattage will cost the same to operate whether the unit is $20 or $200.\u201d
\n\u2022 The only feature of an electric heater that affects the amount of heat the unit can generate is wattage. A 1,000-watt heater uses 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity per hour of operation no matter what type of heater it is. \u201cTo best manage your costs, operate the lowest total wattage possible to keep you comfortable,\u201d says Drexler.
\n\u2022 Select a portable electric heater that has a thermostat so it doesn’t run all the time. A unit with a thermostat can help maintain a constant temperature and not overheat an area. \u201cEven with this feature, it\u2019s not safe to leave a portable heater running when no one is monitoring it,\u201d adds Safety Services Manager Greg Overland.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t overload your electrical wiring and create a fire safety issue. Portable electric heaters come in a variety of wattages. The most common are 1,000-watt and 1,500-watt units. \u201cDon\u2019t be tempted to buy a higher-wattage unit unless you know you have adequate capacity in your home wiring,\u201d says Overland.
\no Signs of an overloaded circuit include blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
\no If the outlet or the wall surrounding it becomes warm after the heater has operated for a while, the wiring is overloaded. Discontinue using that outlet for your heater or consider a lower-wattage heater.
\n\u2022 Only use portable electric heaters that automatically shut off if tipped over. Also, consider your need for a protective casing over the heating element to avoid the potential for burns. This is particularly important if you have small children or pets.
\n\u2022 Keep portable electric space heaters away from flammable materials such as curtains, bedding, and newspapers.
\n\u2022 Never use a portable electric space heater or any electrical appliance near wet areas such as bathtubs and sinks.
\n\u2022 Avoid using an extension cord. If you must use one, be sure it has at least 12-gauge wire.
\nIf you have questions about energy conservation or about how an electric space heater might affect your electric service bill, call Otter Tail Power Company\u2019s Idea Center at 800-493-3299.
\nThis news release is on our website at otpco.com\/newsroom.
\nOtter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. With a balanced commitment to environmental, economic, and community stewardship, the company provides electricity and energy services to more than a quarter million people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. To learn more about Otter Tail Power Company visit otpco.com. To learn more about Otter Tail Corporation visit ottertail.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"