Unfortunately, there are over 10,000 house fires in Australia every year. And according to statistics, one in five of us will experience a fire in our lifetimes — a rather terrifying thought.
So, what can you do to prevent a fire in your home? Of course, installing an effective smoke alarm is a good idea for early detection. But one of the best things you can do is throw out one of your most dangerous appliances… your old electric heater.
Reverse cycle air con vs. electric heaters
There are many reasons to replace your electric heater with reverse cycle air conditioning (also sometimes referred to as heat pumps).
Safety is the main issue. We all recognise that burning smell that comes from the electric heater when you first pull it out of the cupboard after it’s been stored through summer. And if you have young children or pets, you need to be constantly vigilant to ensure they don’t burn themselves on the hot elements. But with reverse cycle air conditioning the risk of injury is completely removed, as there are no open bars or elements to create a major hazard.
Electric heaters should also never be left unattended, as they pose too great a risk to your safety — and when using one, you need to always take care that any fabrics or furniture are an adequate distance away, as these can easily catch fire if left too close. A reverse cycle air con unit, on the other hand, allows you to heat your home without constant surveillance.
Additionally, heat pumps warm the room much more quickly than electric heaters. And when things heat up in the summer, your air conditioning unit can be used to cool your home, too.
Heat pumps offer increased energy efficiency
Not only will reverse cycle air conditioning significantly reduce your risk of a house fire, it is also 200% more energy efficient than many electric heaters. So if, like many families, you’re trying to keep your power bills as low as you can, installing this type of heating will make a huge difference.
Heat pumps have a lifespan of around 20 years — so not only are they extremely economical, they will also heat and cool your home for decades to come.
To find out more about replacing your old electric heaters with a heat pump, give the friendly team at ACER Services a call on 3823 3577.