How to Make a Space Heater Work Better: 8 Easy Tips

Space heaters work great out of the box, but what happens after a little bit of wear and tear? If you’re ready to make your space heater work better, you’ll be glad to know that you rarely have to open the unit. In most cases, a little bit of cleaning a repositioning is all you have to do.

To make a space heater work better, keep it at least three feet away from all obstacles, clean the fan regularly to remove debris, and scrub the heating coils. Perform seasonal maintenance, then inspect the thermostat and in-line fuse to see if they’re arcing or broken.

Space heaters work best when they have enough airflow. That being said, it’s important to replace a handful of parts when they go back. Regular maintenance makes a big difference, but sometimes, all you can do is get a new appliance.

Keep It Away From Walls and Furniture

Space heaters pull air from behind, sending it over heated coils. This process only takes a few seconds, but it can be hindered. If there’s furniture, walls, blankets, or anything too close to the fan and coils, the space heater won’t have enough airflow.

NY Times recommends keeping your space heater three feet away from anything flammable. Your space heater’s motor will get too hot if there’s not enough ventilation. The internal fan can pull sheets, blankets, plastic, and other lightweight materials against the motor.

Place the Space Heater on a Flat Surface

Is your space heater crackling, popping, or making other weird noises? It could be because the internal wiring, motor, or bearing aren’t balanced. Your best bet is to place the space heater on the floor. Avoid rugs if possible.

Putting a space heater on a table can increase the chances of it falling over. An unbalanced space heater will cause electrical arcing, lowering its ability to heat properly.

Another problem is that the thermostat might become disconnected. Your space heater won’t know when it’s supposed to heat the room, causing it to emit cold air.

Replace the Thermostat

If your space heater doesn’t heat like it used to, it’s likely because the thermostat is faulty. Follow these steps to replace the thermostat:

1. Unplug the space heater and remove the front panel.
2. Locate the thermostat near the top of the space heater (the user’s manual should have a parts diagram).
3. Remove the red and black wires from the thermostat, then disconnect it from the space heater.
4. Place a like-for-like thermostat where the old one was, making sure to attach the old wires in the same places.

You can test your thermostat with a multimeter if you think it might not be working. Place the red and black nodes on the red and black thermostat terminals. If they don’t read any voltage, then you should replace the thermostat.

Try Seasonal Space Heater Maintenance

Seasonal space heater maintenance is much simpler than whole-house heater maintenance. All you have to do is look for various issues every season you want to use your space heater. I use my space heater between November and April every year.

Your space heater’s maintenance schedule should include:

• Dust the space heater’s vents and remove excess debris.
• Clean the outside of the space heater with wet wipes or an all-purpose cleaner.
• Tighten each of the screws and replace any of them if they’re rusted or stripped.
• Open the space heater and ensure all of the wires are secured (you can use zip ties to organize them).

Vacuum the Room Before Using a Space Heater

Since most space heaters sit on the ground, it’s essential to clean the floor. Pet hair, dust, pollen, and a lot of other debris can get trapped in the space heater.

Not only will your space heater overheat, but there’s a chance the airflow and heat will quickly diminish. If your space heater sounds loud and produces less air, it could be because it’s clogged from the dirty floor.

If you notice streaks after vacuuming, you might need to steam clean the floor. These streaks cause unwanted buildup in the space heater, drastically reducing its ability to heat the room.

Clean or Replace the Heating Coils

Space heaters use heating coils to increase a room’s temperature. If the heating coils get clogged or broken, they won’t heat the room at all.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Remove the retaining screws and the face plate from the space heater.
2. Check each of the heating coils for damage, misalignments, and looseness.
3. Replace any heating coil that’s broken with a like-for-like coil (from the manufacturer).
4. Wipe each of the remaining heating coils with a soft bristle brush or a microfiber cloth.

Improve the Space Heater’s Airflow

Improving your space heater’s airflow will drastically improve its performance. If the back vents are blocked by debris or grime, they won’t push enough hot air over the heating coils. Fortunately, all you have to do is position the space heater correctly.

Remember to scrub the front grate and rear vent with a soft brush. Never use water when washing a space heater; the water can get trapped in the vents and cause electrical issues.

Note: Some rugs are toxic, which means they can spread hot toxins throughout the air from your space heater. They can also clog the vents with hair, VOCs, and other contaminants. Let the rug air off-gas outside before putting a space heater on it.

Inspect the In-Line Fuse

Many space heaters have single-use in-line fuses. These fuses blow when the motor overheats, the breaker trips, or the space heater falls over. Open the space heater and locate the in-line fuse. If it’s blown or tripped, you’ll have to replace it. Switching the fuse will often bring the space heater back to normal.

Review this quick YouTube video to learn more about what you should look for when fixing a space heater:

In Closing

Remember, your space heater’s overall performance is based on its make and model. You can’t make a low-quality space heater as effective as a high-end unit. However, there are many ways to maintain and repair your space heater to return it to its original condition.