Making Winter More Cozy

Everyone wants a comfortable home to enjoy after a long day. When looking to add extra comfort to key areas of the home, the use of carpet warmers brings a touch of cozy to any room. As a consumer, there is often some confusion on this product. Let us remove some of the confusion with our breakdown of two main options on the market. We take a look at the key differences between Hot Carpet by Woowarmer vs. RugHeat™ by CozyWinters to help you make an informed purchase for your home.

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer vs. RugHeat™ by CozyWinters

1. Sizing

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: Offered in limited sizing choices that do not fit most rugs sold in the U.S. to accommodate standard room sizes.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: Offers several sizes based on common rug sizes sold in stores for a variety of areas in the home.

22" x 34" (Fits under a 2' x 3' Rug)

22" x 89" Runner (Fits under a 2' x 7.5' Runner)

34" x 58" (Fits under a 3' x 5' Rug)

58" x 81" (Fits under a 5' x 7' Rug)

63" x 93" (Fits under a 5.5' x 8' Rug)

2. GFCI and plug

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: Utilizes a two prong plug connected to a cord and is not GFCI protected making it dangerous and not within the required electrical code.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: Utilizes a three prong plug that is GFCI protected and is the only CE listed heating product on the market for use under an area rug.

3. Temperature

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: The operating temperature of the Hot Carpet is 115 Fahrenheit on high or 95 Fahrenheit on medium. Both of these temperatures exceed the UL recommended surface temperature suggested for optimal safety. In addition to exceeding safety recommendations, a temperature of 104 Fahrenheit and above may cause issues such as surface skin burns and dehydration after extended use.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: Operates at a safer temperature of 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid safety concerns while still offering enough heat for comfort.

4. Safe power density

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: The power density is not within a safe range as it exceeds the limit of 12 watts/sf set by UL standards.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: This option stays safely within the range of acceptable watts and it offers the necessary amps/voltage needed for safety.

5. Waterproofing

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: Spilling liquid on this product has the potential to be quite dangerous and damaging since there is no GFCI protection. This product also isn’t waterproof to start with so using in damp/wet areas such as bathrooms isn’t recommended.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: This product is waterproof and has the necessary GFCI protection to allow it to be used in damp/wet areas without worry so you can use it the bathroom or kitchen.

6. Cord length

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: The cord length is only 6 feet which makes it too short for the average size of rooms found in American homes.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: The cord length is 8 feet to make it easier to accommodate the U.S. market in terms of the average room size found in American homes.

7. Control unit

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: The control unit is not only bulky, but it offers no warning about the dangers of it being covered with thermally insulated material. It is also a trip hazard due to where it is located.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: The control unit is encapsulated in a flame retardant ABS block that exits the heating panel in the corner of the warmer to avoid any issues.

8. Furniture

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: This product carries restrictions on what types of furniture can be placed on top of it. For example, it can only be placed under the legs of furniture.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: This product can be used with all furniture and gives more options in terms of furniture placement such as being used under chairs rather than just under the legs of tables. Provided you follow the spacing guidelines of the product, you can place it just about anywhere in terms of furniture.

9. Unpleasant Odor

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: The product may create an adhesive smell in the area when you first turn it on. The smell should gradually dissipate over time, but it can be a concern especially when using the warmer in a small space or a space that isn’t well-ventilated.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: The product is free from any odor from the start, provided you follow all the guidelines such as not placing foam underneath it.

10. Unclear Messages on Usage

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: Woowarmer reports the product can be used in ways contradicting the product details such as stating it can be placed under a bathmat when it isn’t waterproof. They also suggest the warmer can be placed under a pet bed to provide warmth, but this would cause the product to overheat and shut off. It is also worth noting that the product is not actually recommended for use with pets because it could create a fire hazard if they damage the product. Woowarmer also suggest that the Hot Carpet is ideal for use with sleeping bags, but also carries a warning not to use the product while sleeping. With so many, it makes it harder for consumers to know how to safely use the product.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: CozyWinters educates consumers on the product and how to use it safely. With a thorough FAQ section on the site, it is easy for consumers to learn accurate safety information without any contradictions.

11. Bug Issues

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: There is the potential for big issues with Hot Carpet since the heating element is located inside of a carpet-like material. This material may harbor ticks, mites, and other pests to the point that the owner’s manual includes tips on getting rid of them.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: The product is made without the carpeted material over the heating element, so the concern of harboring bugs is eliminated thanks to the design.

12. Warranty

Hot Carpet by Woowarmer: Offers a 1-year warranty.

RugHeat™ by CozyWinters: Offers a 5-year warranty.

This is a sponsored post.

Mindless Knitting

The value of mindless knitting is proving its worth to me once again. This is a simple sock yarn garter stitch triangular shawl made with size 6 circulars and I like the fabric it is making so far. An increase, I am doing a yarn over, is done at the beginning of every other row. The increase side is the top edge of the shawl. I am doing a solid blue body with a white edge. I will post pictures of the finished shawl.

So why mindless knitting now? Well I use it as I think through things. I use it when watching television. I use it to keep me from snacking on crap foods because my hands are too busy to put things in my mouth. Like the rest of America right now I am staying informed about the Coronavirus and its spread through our country and following the advice of experts. I am making no unnecessary trips anywhere. However I am not completely isolated because my husband is still going to work. He works at a hospital as the Facilities Director. His hospital is doing well so far to have the supplies to keep every one as safe from exposure as possible. I feel pretty good about that.

I hope this finds readers of the post doing well!

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

Washing My Hands and Other News

I have been careful lately with my exposure to others. I will soon be in the company of an elderly woman who is at a very high risk for the coronavirus being dangerous to her. I don't want to be the one who might bring that into her environment. I have whatever I need for weeks if necessary in my house so that's good and I am looking forward to a visit with her.

Photo by Matthew Tkocz on Unsplash

My mother, also elderly, was in an emergency room this week. She had a severe hours long case of vertigo and an ambulance was called. She has a couple cameras at her house and after seeing what was happening I was able to contact siblings right away and the ones closest to her were at the hospital right away. She was sent home with medicine and instructions to follow up with her primary doctor. The thought of her at greater risk for falls is frightening for me and a possible very painful consequence for her.

So in the coming weeks my mantra will be "Wash your hands and don't touch your face."

I do hope you all stay safe and healthy. 

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

A Hard Week

I don't have any crafty new things to show off this week. I do have another rug started. I have been reading daily, a habit that is as necessary to me as breathing. This hard week did have one very bright spot in it. I met up with a friend for breakfast and we chatted for hours. 

Beyond that I have talked nearly every day to my mother. These calls have been emotionally draining. The aftermath of them have been disturbing my sleep patterns and I end this week incredibly tired. 

My mother, at 85, is going through some changes with more to come. She is distressed by all the details she doesn't understand. I have spent hours giving reassurances that things are alright and she is overthinking details that aren't worth the bother to no avail. My other siblings have been doing the same. Some of them live close enough to be there physically more often than I can. They are all carrying the same emotional load that I am. The conversations start again the next day with the same rants over and over and over again. I have never felt so powerless and useless in my life. 

I don't want to put more about this here today. I just can't. I want to hear some happiness in her voice and be able to sleep instead of being unable to shut off the swirling thoughts on how to fix something that may very well be impossible to fix.

Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash

Change is incredibly hard for some and especially for my mother. My hope is that when I face the changes that come with age in my own life I can face them with grace.

I leave this post today hoping to feel better when I post again next Friday.
Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!