1. How are most heaters on the market rated ?
Heaters are rated by the amount of heat that they produce which is measured in BTU’s or British Thermal Units. The heat output of electric heaters is measured in terms of wattage. A BTU (
British Thermal Unit), and one BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise the
temperature of 1 lb. of water 1 degree Fahrenheit. If you multiply a heater's
wattage by 3.41 you will obtain the amount of BTU's you can expect from the
heater. The average peak output of a heater for 1500 watts is 5120 BTUs per hour.
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2. What are some of the factors that may effect the performance of a heater ?
There are four main reasons for heaters not being rated by room size which are:
1. The amount and type of insulation used in the construction of the room.
2. The number of outside doors and windows in the area as well as their efficiency rating.
3. The overall tightness of the area in relationship to drafts (construction).
4. The outside temperature in relationship to the desired inside temperature.
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3. Can portable heater be used as my main source of heat ?
Portable heaters should not be used as a primary heat source. It is possible that a heater cannot produce enough heat to maintain certain desired temperatures depending upon weather conditions and housing construction. Portable heaters are used for supplemental heat only.
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4. How much does it cost to run a heater and how will it affect my electric bill?
Every heater is different interms of BTU and Wattage. You would need to call your local electric company as rates vary across the country. Note that the amount of electricity used by the heater depends on the heat setting selected (wattage) and how often it is running.
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5. Can I use a heater in my bathroom ?
We recommend that only heaters equipped with an ALCI safety plug be used in the bathroom. This is for safety reasons. The ALCI plug prevents a shock hazard in the event that the heater comes in contact with water.
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6. Are heaters safe if I have pets and kid ?
As is stated in the owner’s manual, care should be taken when using a heater. This includes using extreme caution when a heater is used by or near children or invalids, or whenever it is left operating and unattended. Heaters are used to produce heat and some models can be hot to the touch. So we strongly recommend to keep ALL heaters from the reach of your pets and children
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7. Are heaters safe to use ?
There are various safety features are the portable heaters we offer. Please look for heaters that are approved by Underwriter Laboratories. As stated in the owner’s manual, certain safety proceduresstill needs to be followed when using heaters to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons.
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8. Can I place my heater against the wall ?
Most heaters should not be placed directly against walls because the air intake will be blocked. Some heaters are designed with the air intake in the front so they can be placed against the wall. Check the owner’s manual for details regarding the correct placement of the specific model in question.
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9. Why does my heater make a weird funny sound when I use it ?
Some models of heaters will make certain sounds, which are normal. For example
Radiant, Parabolic, Quartz, and Baseboard heaters will have a crackling or
vibrating sound coming from them when they are first turned on. This is caused
by the heating elements expanding as they heat up which is normal.
NOTE: If you feel heat on all the heat settings then the heater is working properly as an element would both heat up and produce heat or not work at all.
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10. Why does my heater smell like something is buring ?
It is possible that a new heater will produce an odor when first used. This is normal and should go away after the heater has been used for a while. A heater can also have a burning odor from dust building up on the element. This buildup on a hot element can cause a burning smell.
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11. How long is the power cord on most heaters ?
Depending on the model, most heaters come with a six-foot power cord. It is possible that some heaters may have a longer cord but the industry standard is six feet.
