Portable electric heaters are useful for a cold home office or a chilly bedroom, but they're also powerful appliances that turn electricity into a lot of heat in a small space. Most problems come from cheap, poorly made products, poor placement, or plugging them into the wrong socket. This article sets out what to check before you buy and how to use a heater safely.
Types of portable heater
- Fan heaters: heat quickly and are compact. Can be noisy.
- Ceramic heaters: a type of fan heater using a ceramic element. Often have oscillation and thermostats.
- Oil-filled radiators: slower to warm up but give steady heat and stay warm after switching off. Usually heavier, on wheels.
- Convector heaters: warm air rises off the element and circulates naturally. Quiet.
- Halogen and infrared heaters: heat people and objects in front of them rather than the whole room.
All of them can use a lot of power, often 1,000 to 3,000 watts, so running costs matter as well as safety. Our running-cost article shows how to work them out.
Safety features to look for
- Overheat protection: switches the heater off if internal parts get too hot.
- Tip-over switch: turns the heater off if it's knocked over. Particularly important with children or pets.
- Thermostat: keeps the room at a set temperature instead of running constantly at full power, which also saves money.
- Timer: lets you switch off automatically.
- Cool-touch casing: reduces burn risk, though most heaters still get hot in places.
- UK plug and markings: a proper UK three-pin plug (not a travel adaptor) and UKCA or CE marking, plus the manufacturer's name and model on the product and instructions.
If a listing doesn't state the wattage or safety features clearly, choose another product.
Buy from reputable sellers
Unbranded heaters sold cheaply online, especially by sellers with little history, are more likely to have poor-quality components or missing safety features. Choose recognised brands from established retailers, or sellers with a long, strong track record. Our article on checking a seller on Amazon and eBay explains what to look for.
It's also worth registering a new appliance with the manufacturer, so they can contact you if there's a safety recall. You can check whether a product has been recalled on the government's product safety database on gov.uk.
Plug it in directly
This is one of the most important rules. Heaters draw a high, continuous current.
- Plug heaters directly into a wall socket, not an extension lead or adaptor, unless the manufacturer specifically says otherwise.
- If you must use an extension lead, it should be a single, fully unwound, heavy-duty lead rated for the heater's load, and nothing else should be plugged into it. Never plug a heater into a multi-way adaptor alongside other appliances.
- Check plugs and sockets: if a plug or socket feels hot, smells of burning or shows scorch marks, stop using it and get it checked.
Place it carefully
- Keep heaters at least a metre away from anything that could catch fire, such as curtains, bedding, sofas, clothes and paper, or follow the manufacturer's stated clearance.
- Never use a heater to dry clothes or cover it, unless it's specifically designed for that.
- Stand it on a flat, stable surface where it won't be knocked over and where cables won't be a trip hazard.
- Don't run cables under rugs, where damage can go unnoticed.
- Keep it out of reach of young children and pets, and use a guard if needed.
- Don't use portable heaters in bathrooms unless they're designed and installed for that.
Using it day to day
- Don't leave it on unattended, and switch it off when you leave the room or go to sleep, unless it's designed for safe overnight use with a thermostat and timer.
- Unplug it when not in use.
- Check it each season before first use: look for damaged cables, cracked casing, scorch marks or loose plugs.
- Clean dust from vents and grilles, unplugged and cool, as dust can scorch.
- Follow the manual. It sounds obvious, but placement and clearance rules vary between products.
Smoke alarms
Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home, and test them regularly. If you rent, your landlord is required to provide smoke alarms; ask them if you don't have one. Many local fire services also offer free home fire safety visits.
Older heaters
If you have an old heater that's been in the loft for years, check it carefully before use. Frayed cables, missing guards or a burning smell are signs it's time to replace it. Don't attempt repairs to the electrics yourself.
Heaters and children or pets
Fan heaters can attract curious children and pets. Choose models with tip-over protection and cool-touch casing, and position them where they can't be reached or pulled over by the cable. Pets often sleep close to heat sources, so keep beds a safe distance away. Our pet winter safety article covers more.
Quick checklist
- Choose a recognised brand from a reputable seller.
- Look for overheat protection, a tip-over switch and a thermostat.
- Plug it directly into a wall socket.
- Keep it a safe distance from anything flammable.
- Don't leave it unattended or on overnight unless designed for it.
- Check it and clean it before each winter.
- Keep working smoke alarms.
For help choosing a heater and comparing types, see our home heaters guide, and for ways to stay warm with less heating, see warmth without the bill.