Holmes® FAQ's: Heaters
I would like to buy a heater that I can use as my main source of heat. Which model would you suggest?
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. Holmes® heaters are not sold for or recommended for that use. Portable heaters are used for supplemental heat only.
back to top
Are heaters rated by room size?
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
back to top
How are heaters rated?
Heaters are rated by the amount of heat that they produce which is measured in BTU's or British Thermal Units. The average peak output of a heater for 1500 watts is 5120 BTUs per hour.
back to top
How much does it cost to use a heater and how will it affect my electric bill?
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. If a thermostat is used, the heater will only run when the temperature falls below the set temperature.
back to top
Can I use my heater in a 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.
back to top
Are heaters safe to use?
Holmes® heaters have various safety features and are approved by Underwriter Laboratories. As stated in the owner's manual, certain safety procedures need to be followed when using heaters to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons.
back to top
Is it safe to use a heater near children or pets?
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.
back to top
How do I reset my heater if it overheats?
The specific steps will depend on the type of thermostat control the heater has. Generally, to reset the safety PTC circuit, conduct the following steps:
Step 1. Remove the obstruction or situation that caused the unit to overheat.
Step 2. Turn the heater to the OFF setting (and turn the thermostat to HI)
Step 3. Unplug the heater and wait 5 to 10 minutes for the heater to cool down.
Step 4. Plug the heater back in and resume operation.
NOTE: If there is a thermostat, it should be turned to HI so that the heater will turn on when reset. With AccuTemp™ digital thermostats, the switch should first be turned to MANUAL. These steps are needed to ensure the heater will operate as soon as the reset time has elapsed. Otherwise, the heater might be reset but the user won't know because the thermostat setting is too high. Also, note that a few heaters have an automatic reset, where the unit does not need to be unplugged. Please check your instruction manual for your specific model. Finally, this feature will shut the heater off whether the heater tips over or not, as long as an overheat situation has occurred.
back to top
What is the overheat shut off temperature?
The temperature range is between 149 to 265 degrees Fahrenheit depending upon the model.
back to top
What is a thermostat and how does it work?
A thermostat is a control that is used to maintain a temperature range in the general area where the heater is located. Most analog thermostats have an estimated range of 37 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. By adjusting the temperature knob you can set the heater to turn on and turn off automatically as required to maintain the set temperature range.
back to top
How do I set the thermostat?
The easiest way to set a thermostat is to turn the heater onto the high setting with the thermostat set to the highest position. Wait for the area around the heater to reach the desired comfort level and then slowly turn the temperature knob back until the heater shuts off. You have just set the thermostat to maintain your desired temperature comfort level.
back to top
My heater has the 1 Touch™ Thermostat. How does that work?
This is an electronic thermostat which is more accurate than an analog thermostat. By simply pressing the single "Mode" button, the heater can be operated in any of its modes. The first press will turn the heater on and it will operate in the last active mode. With each press of the button, the mode will change as indicated by the lit LEDs. The modes include low or high manual (the heater will constantly run) or low and high automatic (the heater will operate to maintain the set temperature displayed by the LED). The set temperatures include 60, 65, 70, 75 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The heater is turned off by either holding the button down for two seconds or continually pressing the button until the "Off" mode is reached.
back to top
My heater has the AccuTemp™ control on it. How does that work?
The AccuTemp™ feature consists of a digital thermostat that allows you to set your heater to your precise comfort level. It also has a digital readout that will display the current room temperature. If you use the heater in the automatic mode you will be able to set the unit to maintain the desired temperature by individual degrees.
back to top
How do I set the AccuTemp™ feature?
To set the heater to maintain a certain temperature:
Step 1: Turn the mode knob to the desired heat setting (wattage)
Step 2: Make sure the switch is in the Auto or AccuTemp™ mode and not the Manual mode.
Step 3: Press either the Temp Up or Temp Down button to set the digital thermostat to the desired temperature. The digital readout will flash while the temperature is set.
After five seconds, the digital readout will change from showing what the set temperature is (flashing number) to the current temperature around the heater.
back to top
If the thermostat is turned to the highest position, what temperature is it set for?
At the highest setting, an analog thermostat will be set to maintain a temperature between 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
back to top
Can I place my heater against a 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.
back to top
Can I clean my heater?
Always unplug the heater before cleaning. The outside of heaters can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Using a vacuum with a dust brush attachment can clean the front and rear grills. The internal parts of a heater can be cleaned by using a blow dryer or can of compressed air. If there are heavy deposits, you may need to use a long cotton swab or paintbrush, which would be long enough to reach inside of the heater. Caution should be taken when cleaning your heater to prevent any damage to the heater.
IMPORTANT: We do not recommend opening heaters to clean them as it can void the warranty as well as cause a safety hazard if it is not disassembled or reassembled properly.
back to top
Why does my heater turn on and off all the time?
It is possible that when you set a heater to a certain temperature, the heater might start turning on and off frequently. This is called cycling. Cycling occurs when the temperature in the area around the heater is extremely close to the temperature that the heater is set to maintain. Slight temperature changes can cause the unit to cycle on or off. Slightly raising or lowering the thermostat can usually reduce this effect. Note: The heater will cycle more often in a High heat setting then in a Low heat setting because the air heats up more quickly.
back to top
Why does my heater keep shutting off?
There are two reasons that most heaters would shut off.
1. There is a thermostat on the heater and it is not set high enough.
2. The heater needs to be reset due to an overheat situation.
Reasons for an overheat situation are:
a. There is improper air flow through the heater caused by an obstructed intake or exhaust grill
b. There is dust buildup causing heat buildup, which could activate the PTC sensor.
c. The PTC sensor is not working properly causing the heater to shut off prematurely.
d. The thermal fuse opened from an over heat situation.
back to top
The fan on my heater is running but there is only cold air coming out of the heater, it that normal?
There are four main reasons why a heater may blow cool air
1. Some heaters have a fan only setting which will enable the customer to use the heater as a fan. If your model has that feature then you want to make sure that the heater is not on the fan only setting.
2. If the heater is on one of the heat settings then it may have overheated and shut off power to the element. Follow the reset instructions.
3. With AccuTemp™ digital thermostat, the fan will run for 30 seconds without heat once the set temperature is reached. This is to blow out excess heat and ensure an accurate and consistent temperature reading.
4. If cool air comes out of the heater after it has been reset, then the heater may need to be replaced, as it may not be working properly.
back to top
Why does my heater smell like something is burning?
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.
back to top
Why does my heater make a funny or loud 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.
back to top
When I turn my heater from low to medium or high should the fan speed increase?
The fan speed should not change when you change the heat setting on your heater. When you change the setting it changes the amount of heat being produced but the fan speed will not change.
NOTE: The reason Fan speeds do not change is that it could actually cool down the output if the speed was too high.
back to top
If I do not have polarized plugs can I use an adapter?
We do not recommend using adapters to plug in heaters. A professional should be contacted on proper electrical uses.
back to top
Can I plug my heater into a timer or power strip?
As is stated in the owner's manual, we do not recommend plugging your heater into anything that is not approved by the Holmes® Brand such as timers or power strips. The reason for this is due to the amount of electricity used by heaters, which may be greater than what the timer or power strip is designed for.
back to top
Can I use an extension cord with my heater?
We do not recommend using an extension cord. If an extension cord must be used then it should be at least 14 Gauge and rated for at least 1875 Watts.
back to top
Why is the cord on my heater very warm?
In most cases a warm cord does not mean that there is a problem with a heater. The most common causes for that are:
An old or worn out outlet: If there is a loose connection between the plug and the socket then that will cause resistance and in turn heat build up. If there is not a tight fit between the plug and the outlet then the outlet should be replaced by qualified personnel.
An overloaded circuit: Heaters can use up to 1500 watts of electricity and if you have other appliances in either the same outlet or on the same circuit breaker then a warm plug or tripping of a circuit breaker can occur.
Under rated wiring: In some older homes the wiring is unable to support the amount of wattage used by the heater, which can be as high as 1500 Watts.
Under rated Extension cord: An underrated extension cord causes resistance and heat builds up. You must use at least a 14-gauge extension cord rated for at least 1875 watts if an extension cord must be used.
back to top
Why does my heater keep tripping circuit breakers?
Heaters can use up to 1500 watts and 12.5 Amps on the highest setting. The average home uses 15 Amp circuit breakers, which only allows 2.5 additional amps to be used before the maximum limit is reached. If you have other appliances such as a refrigerator, microwave, TV, etc. plugged in to the same outlet or on the same circuit then you may have surpassed the maximum amount of wattage that can be used on that circuit. Some homes may even have several rooms on the same circuit breaker.
Note: A circuit breaker can be tripped either right after you turn your heater on or after it has been running for a while.
back to top
It looks like there is a slight red glow inside the heater that is especially visible when the room is dark. Is that normal?
Some heaters should have elements that glow red. If your heater has an element that should not glow red then it is possible that the light emitted from the power light causes the red glow seen. If you feel that the glow is not from the power light then you can send your heater to us. We can then inspect the heater to determine if it is working properly.
back to top
Can I use a heater if I use bottled oxygen?
Heaters contain hot and arching or sparking parts inside which is normal but we would suggest that you check with the supplier of the oxygen equipment as to whether or not it can be used near the heater.
back to top
Are any Holmes® heaters made with non-stick coatings as these materials can be dangerous to pets?
No. Holmes® heaters are not made from these materials.
back to top
back to FAQ's