Question 1

Are any Holmes® heaters made with non-stick coatings as these materials can be dangerous to pets?

Accepted Answer

No. Holmes® heaters are not made from these materials.

Question 2

Are heaters rated by room size?

Accepted Answer

There are four main reasons for heaters not being rated by room size which are:

The amount and type of insulation used in the construction of the room.
The number of outside doors and windows in the area as well as their efficiency rating.
The overall tightness of the area in relationship to drafts (construction).
The outside temperature in relationship to the desired inside temperature

Question 3

How are heaters rated?

Accepted Answer

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 an electric heater for 1500 watts is 5120 BTUs per hour.

Question 4

What is the overheat shut off temperature?

Accepted Answer

The temperature range is between 149 to 265 degrees Fahrenheit depending upon the model.

Question 5

Can I use a heater if I use bottled oxygen?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

Can I use an extension cord with my heater?

Accepted Answer

No, never use with an extension cord or relocatable power tap (outlet/power strip). Always plug heaters directly into a wall outlet/receptacle. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet/receptacle as your heater.

Question 7

If I do not have polarized plugs can I use an adapter?

Accepted Answer

We do not recommend using adapters to plug in heaters. A professional should be contacted on proper electrical uses.

Question 8

Are heaters safe to use?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

How do I reset my heater if it overheats?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How much does it cost to use a heater and how will it affect my electric bill?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

When I turn my heater from low to medium or high should the fan speed increase?

Accepted Answer

The fan speed should not change when you change the heat setting, the amount of heat being produced will change but the fan speed will remain the same.

NOTE: Fan speeds are held constant to ensure that the fan does not offset heat output.

Question 12

Can I use my heater in a bathroom?

Accepted Answer

Most heaters should not be used in bathrooms or in wet areas. Only heaters that are UL rated for bathroom use should be used in bathrooms.

Question 13

Is it safe to use a heater near children or pets?

Accepted Answer

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 may be hot to the touch.

Question 14

I would like to buy a heater that I can use as my main source of heat. Which model would you suggest?

Accepted Answer

Portable electric heaters are intended for supplemental heating. They are not intended to replace central heating systems.

Question 15

Why does my heater turn on and off all the time?

Accepted Answer

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; as such, slight temperature changes can cause the unit to cycle on and 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.

General Information