Summertime safety tips for electric heating

Electric heating systems are a great way to stay warm in the winter, but they can also be a safety hazard in the summer if not cared for appropriately.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some summertime safety tips for electric heating systems.

Turn off your electric heating system

The burning question for electric heaters in the summertime is should you keep them switched on with the temperate set low or turn them off completely?

Switching off your electric heaters during the summer when you’re not using them will not only help you save energy and reduce your monthly electricity bill, but it will also eliminate the chance of an accidental fire starting. This is especially relevant if you are spending time away from your home on holiday.

We would recommend occasionally turning your electric heaters on (once a month, for example) to ensure everything is still functioning as it should be. This can help prevent any nasty surprises in the autumn when heating becomes a necessity again.

Have your heating system inspected by a qualified technician

By ensuring your electric heaters are serviced professionally at least every three years, you can keep them running at efficiency and extend their lifespan. A heating engineer should inspect your electric heaters for any signs of damage, frayed wires, or loose connections. It’s always better to address these issues proactively for safety reasons.

Yearly inspections will save you money by preventing larger, more expensive fixes and help ensure you get value for money before you need to upgrade in the future. Scheduling the inspections for the summer months is usually easier as people often leave this important task until it starts to get cold in the autumn when heating engineers are more in demand.

Keep your heating system clean

A quick clean of your electric radiators and storage heaters can help maximise their efficiency and prevent the build up of dust that could led to poor performance and even electrical issues.

Ventilate your home properly

Keeping your home ventilated in the warmer months is of course much easier than during winter. Even when there is the occasional summer’s day that is much colder than normal, opening your windows wide for 5 minutes each day will prevent health problems and mould issues.

During cooler summer evenings (we do get a few of those in Scotland!), open windows throughout the house to naturally ventilate and cool down the space. Close them again during the day to trap the cooler air.

Be aware of the signs of a potential fire

Look out for signs of malfunction. If your electric radiator or electric towel heater starts to make strange noises, smells funny, or overheats, turn it off immediately and call a qualified electrician.

Ensure your curtains do not brush up against radiators and avoid warming clothes over electric radiators and storage heaters. Not only are they potential fire hazards, but they will also prevent heat from escaping your heater into the room.

Check your smoke alarms

It’s vital to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms throughout your home to ensure you stay safe in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide leak. All homes in Scotland need to have interlinked alarms (interlinked means if one goes off, they all go off, so you will always hear an alarm wherever you are in your home.

Every Scottish home must have:

• one smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most
• one smoke alarm in every hallway and landing
• one heat alarm in the kitchen

Upgrade to a modern electric heater with improved safety features

As with all technology, over time electric radiators and storage heaters are improved to become more efficient and safer. If your electric heating system is over ten years old, you may wish to consider upgrading to ensure you’re not spending more than you need to each month or missing out on important safety features.

For example, modern electric radiators can detect and alert you when their temperature becomes too hot and automatically shut off.

Find a new, safer electric heater