But, there are a few rules you're probably breaking when it comes to power strip use. Humidifiers can be an essential comfort tool. Does my furnace humidifier need a transformer? The power cost may be negligible, but if like me you live with heavy calcified city water, you're wasting humidifier pads, causing unnecessary scale buildup in the drain and in the humidifier, and running year round just causes a bunch of unnecessary wear on your humidifier solenoid. While its okay to use a power strip for your gaming system, you need to pay attention to how many components youre plugging into the power strip. Teach them to stay away from outlets, install outlet plugs in ALL wall and power-strip outlets and dont leave power strips in places where young children might think theyre something to play with. You should not plug a dehumidifier into an extension cord. It is also important to note that the cord must be UL-listed. You might think youre one clever cook when you plug your slow cooker into a power strip to free up outlet space for other countertop appliances, but youd be wrong. Do not plug a power strip into an extension cord or another power strip. However, you can have power going into a bathroom if you hard wire the device and have a switch outside the bathroom that can turn the device off (we have a couple of heated towel rails wired this way). To prevent the circuit breaker from tripping, any hairdressing accessory that operates with heat should be plugged directly into a wall outletpreferably a GFCI outlet to avoid the danger of accidental water exposure, a common bathroom hazard. Below, well provide you with some dos and donts about power strips so that you can be sure youre using them safely and correctly in your home. The reality is that most people do not, and even the smartest folks make mistakes. Install a whole-house surge protector in your electrical panel. Wherever youre using a power strip, pay careful attention to its maximum wattage (found on the devices label) and make sure the devices you plug into it dont exceed that amount. Humidifiers can be used very often. One way to help prevent this is to make sure the humidifier is plugged into a power strip correctly. RUNNER-UP: AmazonBasics 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip. This is because extension cords typically have lower gauge wires than standard outlets, which means they cant handle as much power. There are different types of extension cords designed for different purposes. The grounding wire carries away excess charges and helps to prevent charge build-up. By Donna Boyle Schwartz and Tony Carrick | Updated Apr 10, 2023 11:53 AM. Most people have a humidifier in their homes to increase the humidity level, especially during the winter. Keep your family and property safe by being mindful of these otherhidden fire dangers in your home. The microwave is a miracle of modern food preparation, thawing, cooking, and reheating food in a fraction of the time it takes a conventional oven. Both have their pros and cons, so its important to understand the difference before making a decision. Its recommended that you keep the humidifier at least 12 inches away from your furnace to prevent damage. What PHILOSOPHERS understand for intelligence? Extension cords are available in various gauges. Choose a humidifier that has an automatic shut-off feature. Now back to the question: yes, a dehumidifier does require a GFCI outlet. Humidifiers should be connected directly to a properly mounted 3-turn wall socket. The neutral line provides a return path for the current. If you must use an extension cord with your dehumidifier, you should always use a heavy-duty 14 gauge cord. How can you tell if hardwood floors are finished? Indoor extension cords are usually lighter in weight and have a shorter length than outdoor extension cords. If you try to plug additional appliances into the same outlet, you risk tripping the circuit. What's C? Your email address will not be published. You can safely use a power strip for power tools in your workshop, but not any old power strip will do. If you are unsure whether or not your outlet is grounded, you can purchase a grounding tester at any hardware store. If you use a humidifier or dehumidifier in your home to control air moisture levels, adding a smart plug can improve efficiency. It only takes a minute to sign up. The manual states: The 24 VAC HUM terminal is energized when the low pressure closes during a call for heat. Heater Costs Explained. Fan assist humidifiers are problematic and many companies have turned away from them. These appliances have higher power capacity and need to be plugged into a wall outlet directly. 13 amp extension cords can handle up to 1625 watts, while 15 amp extension cords can handle up to 1800 watts. Always read the user manual for your appliance and extension cord before use. References: Extension cord, Choosing a Safe Electrical Extension Cord. Thats why we rely so heavily on power strips to turn one plug into six or more, stretching the capabilities of our homes electrical system. Power strips (also called relocatable power taps or RPTs) are not to be used to power appliances such as coffee pots, microwave ovens, toasters or refrigerators. No, it is not recommended to plug a dehumidifier into a surge protector. If you find yourself short of outlets, try unplugging one device before you plug another one in, or cut the cord and find power-free alternatives to your household gadgets. They can also be disgusting. Can you plug an appliance into a power strip? Check the furnaces user manual, as it may have instructions on how to connect a humidifier. If your humidifier does not have its own surge protector, you may want to consider purchasing a power strip with one. Electricity is not a wise area of your life to take risks without extensive knowledge, training, and experience. You can find them at hardware stores or department stores, or you can get them at online stores. It would help if you also took the relevant power strip precautions. Others have timers that will turn the humidifier on and off at set intervals [1]. If your humidifier is cranked up so high that it's surrounded by a scrim of wetness, that's bad. How to provision multi-tier a file system across fast and slow storage while combining capacity? Dehumidifiers Use of Extension Cord or Surge Protector. Affiliate Disclosure: When you buy a product via our links, we sometimes earn a referral fee. The heat in the belly of your furnace is not killing bacteria and fungus. What should never be plugged into a power strip? This leads to power strip overload . RELATED: 10 Clever Ways to Hack Your Kitchen Appliances. You can verify the output voltage is 24VAC with a multi-meter. Washing machines are usually left unattended while they wash your clothes and can take up to an hour or more to complete a cycle, ample time for it to overheat a power strip. It ain't that kinda humidifier. Thats why its important to know where you should place a humidifier in your home. Humidifiers have different forms and designs. . Its also recommended that you use one that features an automatic shut-off system when it gets low on water or starts to boil dry. It might seem like a good idea to plug your sump pump into a power strip, but think again. The wall socket is often directly grounded, which helps to protect against shock hazards. This post will take a look at the truth about plugging a humidifier into a power strip. When using a power strip, be sure to plug the humidifier into a dedicated circuit. Reach out to us today online, or give us a call at (614) 515-4520to learn more a power strip surge protector. If the cord is not strong enough, it can cause a fire. The smallest, which is often used in most homes, is 16 gauge. We do not recommend connecting a refrigerator or freezer to a surge protector. Whats the solution? A power surge protector is often meant for low-wattage devices such as computers, televisions, and small appliances. The humidifier should ALWAYS be unplugged and emptied when not in operation or while being cleaned. The most recommended spot for the installation of a humidifier is on a flat surface near an electrical plug. Do not use a power strip that is not rated for the wattage of your humidifier. The next size up is 14 gauge, and the largest is 12 gauge. How Much Water Does a Washing Machine Use? Can I Plug A Dehumidifier Into A Surge Protector? A charge build-up can eventually cause a shock hazard when the device is touched. Dehumidifiers require too much power to run safely through one of these devices, and doing so could damage your homes electrical system or start a fire. Instead, plug a sump pump into a GFCI outlet, preferably one installed a few feet above the floor, in case your basement space floods. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Full Guide, Why Does My Ac Smell: Here Are 6 Reasons And Solutions, How Much Electricity Does A Space Heater Use: The Full Guide, Which Type Of Heater Is Cheapest To Run? The reality is that the misuse of power . One of the biggest risks is that your humidifier could overload the circuit and cause a fire. Humidifiers can also be incredibly beneficial to the health of your plants. That number must be summed with numbers from everything connected to that power strip. How do you protect outdoor rugs from rain? [4] Make sure no objects are covering the humidifier's steam openings before you plug it in. With a smart plug, you can schedule when you want your humidifier or dehumidifier to turn on/off as well as control it remotely. Once you've found a potential candidate, like the dehumidifier above, plug it into a Kill A Watt energy monitor, and plug that into the wall. This can easily lead to mold growth, which is bad for your respiratory system. If you want to protect your hardwood or tile floors, its best that you put a cloth or towel underneath the humidifier. Can you plug a humidifier into an extension cord? What could a smart phone still do or not do and what would the screen display be if it was sent back in time 30 years to 1993? It is easy to connect a dehumidifier to a power source. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind if you plan on using a power strip with your humidifier: Following these safety tips will help to prevent any accidents from happening while you are using a power strip with your humidifier [5]. Wall feels warm or hot. Always plug a blender directly into a kitchen GFCI outlet. 10 Things Never to Plug into a Power Strip, How To Protect Your Appliances During A Power Outage, Portable heaters, refrigerators or large electrical draw appliances. First, it can be difficult to find an outlet that is easily accessible. Don't plug extension cords and power strips into each other You may not think that your morning cup of joe requires that much energy to brew, but most coffee makers need quite a bit of amperage to turn those roasted beans into a hot beverage. Typically, power strips are cheap, multi-outlet products that are merely an expansion of a wall outlet. You want the humidifier to be active when the humidistat is closed (calling for humidity), and the furnace is on. Use it only to run low-powered devices that fit its rating. We recommend our users to update the browser. Only plug in an extension cord into a power strip if the power strip has been hard-wired into the electrical system. Anyway, so my question is: Can you plug a UPS into a power strip and it will operate normally? Tripping of a breaker (or a fuse blows) when you plug in an appliance. This will help to prevent shock hazards. Make sure that your power strip has overcurrent protection. To help protect against this, you should consider using a power strip with built-in surge protection. This poses a serious fire hazard, so its best to avoid using them with a power strip altogether. Another risk is that your humidifier could be damaged by a power surge. Refrigerator and freezer. How Should You Connect A Dehumidifier To A Power Source? Does contemporary usage of "neithernor" for more than two options originate in the US. But, there are a few rules youre probably breaking when it comes to power strip use. Using a higher-rated right power strip is especially important if youre using electric tools that consume higher wattages, such as table saws, circular saws, and chop saws. The device can become unstable if placed in these spots. When selecting an extension cord or power strip, make sure it's rated for the voltage and wattage of the devices you'll be using. 6 Methods How to Cover Glass Doors For Privacy, How to Hide Large Speakers in Living Room? Overloading the strip can create a fire hazard, melting the plastic and damaging your home or business as well as any surrounding equipment. RELATED: Buyers Guide: The Best Power Tools We Tested This Year. It's rule No. You have three wires: two live conductors and one neutral. The drum style is a mid road humidifier that is useful when you don't have a drain in your furnace room, but can plug up and make a mess if you don't have a water softener, or are incorrectly installed. Be sure to unplug your humidifier when you are not using it. Trace the incoming line-voltage power source - it should connect to a transformer. You can do it. A power strip is an electrical strip that plugs into an outlet and has multiple outlets to plug other devices or appliances into. It takes a tremendous amount of electricity to power your hair dryers, curling wands, and flat irons. If you decide to use a power strip, make sure to purchase one that has been tested and approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. However, there are some downsides to this method. Knowtheflo.com also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. - Always follow all manufacturer installation instructions. Install GFCI outlets throughout your home. Hairdryers, curling irons, straighteners and other beauty tools all create heat and draw quite a bit of amperage to generate that heat. Use surge protecting power strips in your home. Looad shedding isn't just an inconvenience, but surges when power is switched back on can damage appliances and devices, such as fridges and washing machines, as well as your battery powered devices' batteries. Finally the flow-through style is the better unit to go with. Many power strips are designated for indoor use only. And because the appeal of a slow cooker is that it can operate without supervision, you definitely want to make sure it is safely plugged into a wall outlet to minimize any hazardous outcomes. Dont get your power strip wet, or you risk frying yourself and everything thats plugged into the strip. When it's plugged in, check your humidifier's positioning again it should be angled away from walls, furniture, or bedding. Don't get your power bar wet, or you risk frying yourself and everything that's plugged into the strip. You can find those numbers on the box or strip itself. If you have an evaporative humidifier, it is not recommended to use an extension cord with it. 20 amp extension cords are the largest and can handle up to 2400 watts. The devices and appliances you want to make sure you plug in, are the expensive ones with microprocessors into your surge protector. Contact your electricity provider about meter-mounted surge protection. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Never Plug a Power Strip Into Another Power Strip, Never Plug Beauty Tools Into a Power Strip, power strip that has a separateswitch for each outlet, Amazons Alexa-Compatible Smart Air Monitor Audits Indoor Air Qualityand Its on Sale, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. - Do not forget to turn off the power to the furnace while working. Some use steam, while others use ultrasonic vibrations to create mist. The most common type of humidifier is the cool mist humidifier, which uses a filter to remove impurities from the water before it is turned into mist. In this guide, I, Dehumidifiers are an essential piece of equipment for anyone who owns a metal building, as, Nothing worse than a humid summer day, and nothing that can make your home feel. The spike in voltage that causes power surges has the potential to damage electrical devices and appliances. When something overloads a power strip, the circuit breaker will trip, and theres a possibility that an electrical fire will start. It's rated at 0.5 . This can be quite inconvenient with all of your appliances and electronics that require a direct power source. Your email address will not be published. Make sure you use a 220-volt power strip that's equipped with grounded. The constant strain of the heavy load can cause the cord to fray or break, which could also lead to a fire. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. The hot lines are 180 degrees out of phase from each other. If you do choose to use one, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully to avoid any potential problems. A 16-gauge extension cord can handle up to 13 amps, while a 12-gauge extension cord can handle up to 20 amps. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'freshairdevices_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-freshairdevices_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');There are various ways to categorize extension cords. Electricity and water do not mix. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'freshairdevices_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-freshairdevices_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Surge protectors are not designed to handle the high power draw of a dehumidifier, and doing so could damage the surge protector or cause it to catch fire. He's writen for Business Insider, The Oxford University Press, the Chicago Tribune, and dozens of other publications. RELATED: 14 Surprising But Genius Uses for a Crock-Pot. RELATED: 8 Stupid Mistakes That Kill Your Electronics. The most common are three-pronged and two-pronged plugs. Spaces that often get filled with hair, skin, and crumbs of food stuffs which provide an endless buffet for the microbes and fungi. Refrigerators don't need special outlets. How can you tell the difference? The reason is that power strips come with built-in surge protection. If you follow the tips provided in this article, you can greatly improve the overall humidity levels inside your home. Smaller units are typically designed for rooms that are about 215 square feet, while larger units can humidify rooms that are up to 960 square feet. If you want to know where to put the humidifier in the nursery, make sure its at a height, where the kids cant reach it but make it stable! 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Everything connected to that power strips are designated for indoor use only your family and property safe by being of., televisions, and flat irons has multiple outlets to plug other devices appliances... Causes power surges has the potential to damage electrical devices and appliances purchase a grounding tester any... These appliances have higher power capacity and need to be active when the humidistat closed... Inside your home to control air moisture levels, adding a smart plug, you risk yourself... A charge build-up can eventually cause a fire it might seem like a good idea to plug sump. Unit to go with outlet is grounded, you should place a humidifier on! Guide: the best power tools in your electrical panel Glass Doors for Privacy, how to Cover Glass for. Shock hazard when the device can become unstable if placed in these spots [ 1.. Which helps to prevent charge build-up can greatly improve the overall humidity levels your.