Electric heater

[JustAnotherThread]

I bought an electric heater but it seems you are not suppose to plug them in to extension leads, im finding it really hard warming up a large room if it can only be plugged into the wall as you need to be sitting right next to it to actually feel it. Does anyone plug them in to extension leads?

I have an electric oil filled radiator type heater and I plug it into an extension lead.

I plugged one into an extension lead years ago. It overheated at the wall socket and caught fire.

It is a problem, I agree. Especially as the leads to the heaters are so short. I'm having to stand by ours by the wall as the boiler's broken and I'm cold.

Next house I'm making sure it has plenty of wall sockets.

It depends on the wattage.
If it’s up to 2.5kw it’s ok but a 3kw could blow the fuse, I know lots of people who use an extension lead for a 3kw kettle but that’s only 2 minutes use.
If it’s a surge protected tower/ strip then I would risk it but not with anything else plugged in.
We have a fused spur into the conservatory and that blew a fuse when DH had a power drill on and I was mowing the lawn.

Personally, if I had fairly modern electrics in my house and I wasn't leaving it unattended, then I'd be comfortable with using an extension lead.

Nervously eyes up the heater I put on for 20 mins in the morning to warm the room ... and the extension lead it's plugged into.

Apparently it’s a big fire hazard, but can’t afford to put heating on so relying on the electric heater! Can only feel the benefit if you are sat right next to it, it doesn’t warm up the room.