Heater Safety question!

Steve101 · 2025-01-08T14:52:54+0000

Hello everyone, I'm seeking expert advice. I have no central heating in my flat and it's bitterly cold right now so I bought a 2500w oil filled radiator!

I've not plugged this in yet, I got it today but it says not to use with an extension cable! The problem is, my flat has only two plug sockets (one plug on each, not a double one)
so I have no spare socket to plug this in. I am using an extension cable with my telephone and internet router, I planned to plug this heater in there.

My question is this: is it dangerous to plug it into the extension? Bearing in mind this heater will only be used when I'm home and never when I'm in bed.
if it's really dangerous I guess I'll have to send this radiator back to amazon for a refund but I'll be left in the cold again.

I'd like your opinion on this, thank you.

ProDave · 2025-01-08T16:02:34+0000

Your flat seriously needs some upgrades if it really only has two single 13A sockets, and not heating.

If you have to use a plug in heater, then send that one back and but a convection heater that has a low power option, There is one widely on sale under a variety of "makes" that has 3 switchable power levels, the lowest being 700w. It won't obviously give as much heat but 700W of heat might be enough to take the chill off and is less likely to overload your inadequate installation.

Steve101 · 2025-01-08T16:05:15+0000

ProDave said:
Your flat seriously needs some upgrades if it really only has two single 13A sockets, and not heating.

If you have to use a plug in heater, then send that one back and but a convection heater that has a low power option, There is one widely on sale under a variety of "makes" that has 3 switchable power levels, the lowest being 700w. It won't obviously give as much heat but 700W of heat might be enough to take the chill off and is less likely to overload your inadequate installation.

Thank you.

Geoff1946 · 2025-01-08T16:25:11+0000

The risks of using extension leads with large loads such as heaters are twofold.
1. Overloading, by connecting another large load. Neither your telephone nor router are large loads in this context.
2. A lot of extension leads are of poor quality, either in cable size or the strength of the internal contacts, or the plug used. Any one of these failings can lead to overheating and consequent fire risk. If you can ensure that you have a good quality extension, with a substantial cable, and as short as practicable, then you are minimizing the risk.

If you do go ahead, then sensible precautions are to check no part of the extension lead become more than slightly warm to the touch, or smells hot, and not leaving it operating when you aren't close by.
Finally, you could choose a lower rated heater. I fully support the oil filled radiator as being the safest electric heater available but you could have chosen (say) a 1.5kW model which still give quite a good amount of heat with lighter electrical load.

Andy™ · 2025-01-08T16:35:15+0000

ProDave said:
, and not heating.

im guessing they do have heating but its not working, hence the heaters

providing the extension lead is a decent quality one that's designed for 13a then it should be fine. however many extensions are crap and not suitable

Steve101 · 2025-01-08T16:35:26+0000

Geoff1946 said:
The risks of using extension leads with large loads such as heaters are twofold.
1. Overloading, by connecting another large load. Neither your telephone nor router are large loads in this context.
2. A lot of extension leads are of poor quality, either in cable size or the strength of the internal contacts, or the plug used. Any one of these failings can lead to overheating and consequent fire risk. If you can ensure that you have a good quality extension, with a substantial cable, and as short as practicable, then you are minimizing the risk.

If you do go ahead, then sensible precautions are to check no part of the extension lead become more than slightly warm to the touch, or smells hot, and not leaving it operating when you aren't close by.
Finally, you could choose a lower rated heater. I fully support the oil filled radiator as being the safest electric heater available but you could have chosen (say) a 1.5kW model which still give quite a good amount of heat with lighter electrical load.

Thank you very much! I will return this and get one that uses less power. I asked because its better to be safe than sorry!
I appreciate the help

Steve101 · 2025-01-08T16:37:28+0000

Andy™ said:
im guessing they do have heating but its not working, hence the heaters

providing the extension lead is a decent quality one that's designed for 13a then it should be fine. however many extensions are crap and not suitable

Nope, no central heating or any built-in heating here and I've lived here over 33 years. Normally I use a postable calor gas heater but it's got impossible to get replacement gas bottle around here now, so i'm went looking for an electric alternative.

Andy™ · 2025-01-08T16:39:34+0000

Steve101 said:
Nope, no central heating or any built-in heating here and I've lived here over 33 years. Normally I use a postable calor gas heater but it's got impossible to get replacement gas bottle around here now, so i'm went looking for an electric alternative.

look at getting air con fitted then. for cheaper to run than electric heating

if you oly have 2 single sockets and you've lived there 33 years im also going to guess the rest of wiring has also been neglected for 33 years...

poni · 2025-01-08T17:04:27+0000

two single sockets in the whole flat??
none in the bedroom, kitchen or hall?

ProDave · 2025-01-08T17:47:48+0000

Time for a rewire and install some proper fixed heating.

Why can you not get gas for the portable heater? Not that they are good things, dangerous and smelly.

binky · 2025-01-08T21:05:44+0000

depends what you mean by extension lead. If you are talking about a short 4 gang plug, you should be OK ish, if you are talking about a reel, then that can be dangerous if not fully unreeled. However, a smaller heater would be a good idea.

offgridAndy · 2025-01-09T14:24:02+0000

Un wind the reel completely or the risk will ramp up as you create an electromagnet and get very hot.

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