Can you leave electric wall heaters on all night? Many people would shy away from leaving wall mount heaters (Off the record: check out our best wall mount heater options) turned on overnight. This might be for health reasons, financial concerns, or a fear of fire, but is it really necessary? We’ve been looking into it, and we have all the answers you need. Read on to find out.
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Can You Leave Electric Wall Heaters on All Night?
Generally, no, it is not safe to leave electric wall heaters on all night. From minor issues like flaky skin and dry nasal passages to more significant health concerns like carbon monoxide poisoning, it isn’t good for you to be in the room with a wall heater running overnight. If you aren’t present, that doesn’t eliminate the other dangers, such as an increased risk of fire. While some wall heaters may be safer than others, it’s never 100% safe to leave a wall heater on all night.
What Happens if You Leave an Electric Heater on All Night?
If you leave an electric heater on all night, the heater will keep the room warm but will evaporate water droplets and leave the room very dry. Breathing dry air isn’t good for you.
If you inhale a lot of dry air, the mucus membrane inside your nose doesn’t get enough moisture to protect you from airborne diseases. Not only does this damage your nose, but it also makes the membrane less effective, leaving your immune system more vulnerable. You can get stuffy and congested in mild cases, but long-term exposure can make you bleed. We can also get cracked lips, sore eyes, and flaky skin from dry air.
Should I Turn My Electric Heater off at Night?
Yes, you should turn your electric heater off at night, at least before you bed down. It might be tempting to leave the wall heater on and just treat the symptoms of sleeping in dry air, maybe by installing a humidifier or sleeping with a net. However, leaving the heater on at night can also present a serious safety concern. The warmer, drier conditions in the room make fires much more likely to catch and spread.
As well, any appliance running poses a chance of a stray spark, especially an appliance which generates heat. If the surroundings are hot and dry, that spark can catch and become a deadly house fire. It’s always safer to turn your electric heater off at night.
What Heaters Are Safe to Leave On Overnight?
Generally, heaters with fewer exposed parts that get hot and that has overheat & tip-over protection are the safest to leave on overnight. You’ll still dry out some air with any heater, but these are your safer options. Free-standing heaters are safer than wall heaters because they touch fewer potentially flammable materials, and they won’t dry out the air in your room like forced air heaters do. Look around for a safe, healthy solution!
How Long Can I Leave an Electric Heater On?
How long you can leave an electric heater on will vary from model to model, and you should always check what the manufacturer says! However, the most important rule is not to leave a heater on longer than you can monitor it– if you won’t be in the room or you’ll be asleep, you can’t guarantee that that heater is safe.
