Installing dedicated outlets for space heaters is key to prevent overloading your existing circuits and mitigating the risk of electrical fires. Dedicated outlets should also optimize your heater's performance to provide a secure and uninterrupted power supply.
Most space heaters require a significant amount of power, typically between 1,000 and 1,500 watts. Therefore, the outlet should be a dedicated one, meaning no other appliances should share this outlet.
If you're installing a new heater, you'll need to install a dedicated circuit in your panel and run wire from the circuit to the place where you're installing your heater.
It's generally not recommended to plug a space heater into a surge protector. Here are the key reasons why: High Power Demand: Space heaters typically draw a significant amount of power (often between 750 to 1500 watts).
Always plug the heater into the wall. Never use a power strip or an extension cord. Neither one can handle the heater voltage and could catch fire. Make sure you have a safe space, that's three feet from your couch, a bed, and curtains.
You Should Not Leave Space Heaters on Unattended
We do not recommend using space heaters at all because of this risk, but you definitely should not use them at night. If your home is too cold at night, you may want to consider adjusting your thermostat to better meet your needs.
Place the heater out of high-traffic areas and on a level, hard, non-flammable floor surface—NOT on carpets, furniture, or countertops.
Use Dedicated Circuits: Whenever possible, plug your space heater into a dedicated circuit. This is a circuit not shared by other appliances, reducing the risk of overload.
Installing dedicated outlets for space heaters is key to prevent overloading your existing circuits and mitigating the risk of electrical fires. Dedicated outlets should also optimize your heater's performance to provide a secure and uninterrupted power supply.
The National Electrical Code requires that all major appliances have dedicated circuits. Major appliances include refrigerators, stoves, washers & dryers, and some space heaters. Space heaters can range from 400 to 1500 watts, but a good rule of thumb is that the maximum watts per outlet should never exceed 1500 watts.
If you use a space heater in your home, please be aware that using a space heater can cause a significant increase in your monthly bill. A 1,000-watt space heater operating 12 hours a day will add about $40 to your monthly bill. If the cost does not deter you, remember how important it is to use space heaters safely.
It appears the plug has a poor contact and high resistance in the outlet. Replace the heater plug and cut any Portion of the heater cord that's damage, install a good quality electrical plug rated at or higher heaters Amperage rating.
On a carpet, rug or flammable surface
Space heaters can't sit on any surface that can easily scorch or catch on fire. That means you can never place one on a carpet or rug. You should also avoid using them on more delicate hardwoods or meltable vinyl, especially for long periods.
Notice that we specifically said wall outlet: Manufacturers advise against plugging space heaters into surge protectors, extension cords, plug timers, GFCI outlets (the kind with the test and reset buttons), or really anything that's not a wall outlet.
Absolutely. The US Department of Energy records about 25,000 house fires every year that are linked to a space heater fire.
Cooking. Unattended cooking is listed as the number one cause of residential fires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters account for 43% of home heating fires and 85% of home heating deaths. They can also be a hazard in the workplace. While there are no federal safety rules prohibiting space heaters at a worksite, you should follow local rules and regulations.
Do not use an extension cord unless absolutely necessary. Using an extension cord with high wattage appliances can start a fire. If you must use an extension cord, it must be marked 14 or #12 AWG, this tells the thickness or gauge of the wire in the cord. (The smaller the number, the greater the thickness of the wire.)
Using a space heater can be a good way to boost the temperature in a small, drafty room—and it could be less expensive than cranking up your central heating system. But a space heater is economical only if you use it judiciously.
At Night: If you choose to use your space heater overnight, it's best to limit its operation to 4 to 6 hours on a lower setting.
Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.
Skip the Strip to Avoid a Seriously Dangerous Situation
This is because a power strip doesn't have a high enough current flow to support the electrical needs of a space heater, causing it to overheat and possibly lead to a fire. Instead, you should always plug your space heater into an electrical outlet in the wall.
You can, but it won't have any benefits. A University of Saskatchewan study in 1972 found that heat in your car is lost to the outside cold air after four hours. Plugging in your car overnight, therefore, will give you no extra boost and will only eat into your power bill.