Can Space Heaters Be Kept on Wood Floors?

Space heaters are portable heating units that can be used almost anywhere in your home to keep you warm when it is chilly outside. But you may be wondering if you can keep your space heater on a wood floor.

Placing a space heater on a wood floor is the best option. Keeping a space heater on a carpet or rug is never advised as it can more easily cause a fire. You should also never keep your space heater on any surface that is not a floor, since it could potentially fall off. 

Want to learn more about the dos and don’ts of space heaters? Let’s look at some of the important safety information about space heaters and what you should keep in mind before purchasing one. 

Are Wood Floors the Best Place for Space Heaters?

A girl holds her hands near a plastic fan heater and warms her hands

The most important aspect of owning a space heater is knowing where in your home you can place it where it will pose the least danger to others in your household. 

Without question, the best type of flooring to place your space heater on is the hardwood floor. However, it should also be placed far enough away from furniture, curtains, or other cloth forms so they won’t accidentally get trapped in the space heater and start a fire.

Also, when we say hardwood floor, we truly mean the floor. Just because a table or desk is hardwood does not mean you should set your space heater on it, as it could tip over or fall and cause a fire. 

Is a Space Heater Safer on Wood or Carpet?

Most of the time, the place where you want to hang out with your space heater will be in your living room while you are curled up on the couch watching TV. But your living room is carpet. Is it safe to have your space heater here?

You should never have your space heater on the carpet or rug as the fabric can trap heat and catch on fire if it gets hot enough. Additionally, it can be challenging to position a space heater securely on a carpet, meaning it is much easier to knock over–increasing the possible fire danger. 

Best Space Heaters for Wood Floors

Not all space heaters are created alike. Below are some of the best space heaters to be used on your wood flooring. 

Andily Electric Heater

For those on a budget, you can’t beat the Andily Electric heater (on Amazon), which can be picked up for under $50. It might be a bit on the small side, but it is ideal for placing underneath your desk in your home office to keep your feet warm. Plus, it’s got three different temperature settings to give you just the right amount of heat. 

Dyson Pure Hot

At the other end of the spectrum, there is the Dyson Pure Hot (on Amazon) which will cost you a pretty penny, but it can pull triple duty as it is a cooling fan and an air purifier.

In addition, it’s larger, so it can heat the entire room that you place it in, and it has lots of additional functions like a voice-enabled Alexa connection and a remote, so you don’t need to get out of bed to shut it off. 

Comfort Zone Baseboard Heater

Besides just needing to stay warm in your office or living room, you also likely want to keep warm at night while in bed.

When this is the case, the Comfort Zone Baseboard Heater is best as it sits at the foot of your bed and heats the whole room. With additional safety features like automatic shutoff and stay-cool casing, this space heater is safe for the kid’s room and in homes with pets. 

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Space Heater 

Before you go out and buy a space heater, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you get the unit that is right for you and your family. 

Size of the Space

One of the prominent dictators of the type and style of space heater you will get depends on the size of the space you have to place it in. A small space heater will do if it’s just a small office. However, if you have a larger living area to heat, you will likely need a larger unit. 

Price

Space heaters come in a wide range of sizes, meaning they will also cost a variety of prices. While some families may have more of their budget to spend on a space heater with all the bells and whistles, other families will find the money they have to spend on a space heater restricts their selection. 

How Often it Will be Used

Electric heater working in a room

For those families that live in a warmer climate where it is only cold a couple of months per year, it won’t be worthwhile to spend a lot of money on a nice space heater as it will only be used for a few weeks each year.

However, if you live somewhere cold nine months of the year, you will likely want to get a fancier unit because you will use it frequently.

Safety

Safety is the last thing you need to consider before buying a space heater. Even when placed properly, space heaters can be dangerous for kids and pets.

When you have several of these in your home, you may find that it is simply too dangerous for a traditional space heater, and you will need to buy one that has additional features to keep your little ones safe. 

Final Thoughts

No matter what type of space heater you plan to purchase, remember to read all the safety instructions and find a safe place on your floor to place the space heater before you power it up.

A wood floor surface is always the best place to keep your space heater; you should never place it on a carpet. 

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