Every year at this time we hear the headlines: House Burns Due To Faulty Space Heater. And the sad fact is that almost all of these stories need never be told. Space heaters, while they have a place in the market, were never intended to be the primary heat source for a home and should only be used as a temporary solution until your central system is functional.

However, the simple truth is that many people use space heaters for heating troublesome rooms, converted garages, or workshops. In any case, the following tips will help you to use your space heater more safely

• Never leave a space heater unattended, even for a few minutes, even if it has a thermostat.
• Never use an extension cord with a space heater, no matter how large the cord.
• Never plug a space heater into an outlet that supplies other appliances. Space Heaters should always be plugged into a single outlet, and should be the only thing plugged into that outlet.
• Keep space heaters away from drapes, curtain, furniture and any other flammable objects. Be mindful of items which may produce flammable vapors, like paint, solvents, etc.
• Always place space heaters on solid, non-flammable surfaces. Never place a space heater on a desk, table, or chair.
• Be VERY careful when using space heaters around small children. The outer shell of a space heater can get extremely hot, and can cause serious burns.
• Never try to repair a space heater yourself. Take your heater to a licensed repair facility - try hardware store or appliance repair shops.
• If you use a kerosene-fueled space heater, make SURE it includes an oxygen sensor to turn the heater off in the event that the oxygen level in the space falls too low.
• Never use a kerosene-fueled space heater indoors in a non-ventilated room. These heaters can quickly use up all the oxygen in a room, replacing it with deadly Carbon Monoxide.
• Make sure you have a functional smoke detector and Carbon Monoxide detector. If you already have one, change the batteries every year.

Still, the best way to avoid the dangers of space heaters is to install a central heating and cooling system in your home. Call use today at (803) 279-4064 for your FREE estimate.

In January of 2006, regulations were enacted which required HVAC equipment manufacturers to produce cooling system with a SEER of 13 or higher. This super high efficiency equipment is pricey - often 30 - 50% more than a 10 SEER unit you could purchase prior to January 2006 - and as a result costs have gone up. Prices have gone up on other items as well - copper has shot up in price, for example - and the fuel shortage affects anything which must be transported.

The good news is that installing high efficiency 13 SEER equipment can save you dramatically on power bills. It's quite common to see a 15% (or higher) drop in power consumption when moving from an old system to a new high efficiency one.

Wrenn Heating and Air installs high quality Rheem© and Trane© heating and cooling products. Both lines offer many different combinations and options, from the baseline 13 SEER system up to 18+ SEER systems! All equipment sold by Wrenn Heating and Air comes with a full 5 year All Parts manufacturer's warranty, as well as a one year labor warranty. Extended parts and labor warranties are also available. Ask your technician for more information.

With winter upon us, your thoughts may be turning to those high heating bills from last winter. Rest assured, your rates will not go down, so it's up to you to make the best of those long winter months. While much of your heating needs are determined by old man Winter, you can prepare your home for the coming cold.

• Check your insulation level. Inadequate insulation - especially in the crawlspace - can significantly impact your heating needs.
  
• Filters, filters, filters. I know, you're probably tired of hearing everyone mention this, but changing your air filter regularly can make a big difference in your home's heating needs, and can add years to the life of your furnace.
  
• Turn down the thermostat. Most utilities recommend a winter setting of 68; each degree you increase above that can raise your heating costs as much as 5%. Throw on a pair of sweats and turn down the temperature.


• Weatherproof your home. If you have old or leaky windows, have them replaced, or install storm windows. Your home's biggest enemy in the winter months is infiltration - cold air seeping into your home through cracks around doors and windows, around electrical outlets, through bathroom vents, and other areas.


• Invest in a programmable thermostat. Setting your thermostat down when you're at work can save dollars on your home heating bill.


• Make use of the sun. If your home has natural sun in the mornings or afternoons, open your drapes and blinds and let old Sol help heat your home.


• Use your wood burning fireplace. A load of firewood can be an inexpensive way to help heat your home in the winter.


• Have your heating system serviced. Improperly running furnaces can not only run up your heating costs, they can be downright dangerous. Call the Pros at Wrenn for a full service and inspection.


• If your heating system is 12+ years old, it's probably time to consider replacement. Older furnaces - especially gas furnaces - are terribly inefficient. Call us today for a FREE estimate.

Wrenn Heating and Air installs high quality Rheem© and Trane© heating and cooling products. Both lines offer many different combinations and options, from the baseline 13 SEER system up to 18+ SEER systems! All equipment sold by Wrenn Heating and Air comes with a full 5 year All Parts manufacturer's warranty, as well as a one year labor warranty. Extended parts and labor warranties are also available. Ask your technician for more information.