Product FAQs

General Information

What is auto shut-off and how does it work?

Auto shut-off helps prevent damage and risks if the heater were to overheat. As soon as the internal temperature of the heater becomes too hot, the unit will shut itself off. If the heater shuts itself off in an overheat situation, you will be required to reset the heater by following these steps: (10 Turn the heater to the OFF position. (2) Unplug the heater and wait 10 minutes for the unit to cool down. (3) After 10 minutes has elapsed, plug the heater in again and operate normally.

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

Heaters are used to produce heat and some models can be hot to the touch. Care should be taken when using a heater. This includes using extreme caution when a heater is used by or near children or people with disabilities, or whenever it is left operating and unattended.

What safety devices do Sunbeam heaters have?

Depending on your unit, your heater may have Auto Shut-off, an Overheat Back-up fuse, Tip-Over protection and Polarized, three-prong or ALCI plugs to help reduce the risk of electrical shock. All of our heaters have safety devices and comply with UL safety guidelines in the US, CUL in Canada and GS/CE in Europe.

How are heaters rated?

Heaters are rated by the amount of heat that they produce. This 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.

What is the overheat shut-off temperature?

This is the temperature at which the unit will automatically shut-off. The temperature range is between 149°F to 265°F depending upon the model.

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

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

Are space heaters safe to use?

Sunbeam® Heaters have various safety features and are approved by Underwriter Laboratories (UL) in the United States and CSA or CUL in Canada. As stated in the user manual, certain safety procedures must be followed during operation to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and injury.

How will using a heater affect my heating bill?

We recommend you check with 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.