Why does my heater run then stop?
If the heater does not turn on, it may have reached abnormal temperatures. If the manual reset trips (which turns the heater off), the heater may need to be cleaned or it is blocked. Be sure the heater is wired to the correct voltage (120-volt supply to 120-volt heater). If the heater will not reset and the circuit is good, the heater will need to be repaired or replaced. Contact our Technical Support team.
Why is my heater blowing cold air?
An electric heater that blows cold air could be caused by one or more of the following reasons:
The manual reset has tripped.
The fan switch is “on” and the thermostat setting is below the actual temperature
The fan is dispersing this air after shutdown
There may be a loose wire coming from the elements
The heater element may be defective
Refer to the troubleshooting chart in your Owner’s Guide for more information.
The motor of my wall heater is running slowly. What should I do?
Make sure the voltage supply matches the heater rating and that the heater is clean. If it continues to run slowly, the motor and/or heater may need to be serviced or replaced. Contact our Technical Support team at 855-223-3788.
Why does my wall heater cycle on and off so often?
If your wall heater is cycling on and off every 15 seconds, and you are controlling your heater with a digital thermostat, then likely you need to update one of the thermostat settings.
If you have a TH401, in the Set Up Menu, change the Heating Cycle from “Std” to “Fan”.
If you have a TH106, remove the thermostat cover, find Switch 3 and change the factory setting to the right, or the “On” position.
Review the owner’s guide for your specific thermostat for additional details.
If your thermostat is set up correctly or you do not have a digital control and your heater is cycling on and off less than every 5 minutes, you might have too much wattage for the size of the room. Contact our Technical Support team at 855-223-3788 for additional troubleshooting help.
Do I need a line voltage or low voltage thermostat?
A line voltage thermostat is typically used with single-room heaters, such as electric wall heaters or electric baseboard heaters.
Low voltage thermostats are typically used to control central heating and cooling systems.
Please note! Only use a low voltage thermostat with a Cadet heater if:
- The amperage load exceeds the rating of the line voltage thermostat, AND
- It’s combined with a relay
Is the fluid inside a SoftHeat heater dangerous if it spills?
The liquid inside the SoftHeat heaters is a non-toxic, non-hazardous circulating heat transfer fluid. If the heater does leak—which is very unlikely—clean the spill with a mild soap and water mixture.
The fluid is non-toxic if it’s ingested in small amounts, but make sure that your friends, family, and pets stay away from the spill until it’s cleaned up.
Power Reset Com-Pak
If your Com-Pak or Com-Pak Twin heater is not turning on, there may be something blocking the heater, or it may need to be cleaned. The first thing you want to do when troubleshooting the problem is a power reset.
Maintenance and Cleaning
How often should I clean my heater?
Try to clean out your wall heater at least every six months. It’s easy to do! View our short video for instructions on cleaning your Cadet electric heater.
Watch our short cleaning video on YouTube to see how to clean your Cadet electric heater.
What causes grill discoloration?
Grill discoloration can be caused by dirt or lint build-up in the heating element. Extra heat will occur in the area where the build-up is concentrated, resulting in grill discoloration. To avoid discoloration, clean the grill often and be sure your heater is clean.
What causes sooting?
The appearance of soot, or black discoloration on the walls around electric wall heaters, is not caused by the heater itself. Sooting is caused by other things in the environment such as burning candles, cooking, cleaning supplies, manufactured fireplace logs, pets, and even plants. Airborne particles from these items get into the heater and partially burn to a carbon material, which adheres to walls, under pictures, and on carpets or drapes.
General Product FAQ’s
What does dual rated mean?
A dual rated heater can be wired to either of the two voltage ratings listed on the product identification label. However, the wattage output will decrease with the lower voltage. For example: A 240/208 dual rated heater can be wired to either a 240-volt or a 208-volt supply. A 1500-watt fan heater will draw 1500 watts wired to 240 volt and 1125 watts (75% of 240-volt rating) wired to 208 volts.
Are 120- and 240-volt heaters compatible with both 120- and 240-volt circuits?
120-volt heater
Do not wire a 120-volt heater to a 240-volt circuit. The heater will try to deliver four times its rated wattage, causing it to overheat. This will permanently damage the heating element and void the product warranty.
240-volt heater
We do not recommend wiring a 240-volt heater to a 120-volt circuit. The heater will be underpowered and will only receive 25% of the wattage it was designed to deliver.
How do I figure out the number of amps a heater will draw?
Use this handy equation: Amps = watts divided by volts. For example: 2000 watts / 240 volts = 8.33 amps.
Can I paint my heater surface?
Please don’t. Cadet uses a powder coat paint system that is electrostatically applied and baked on the surface. All Cadet heaters and accessories are listed by UL as manufactured, and should not be altered in any manner
Why does my heater smell when I first run it?
On initial startup, your heater may smell. This is not dangerous and is due to the manufacturing process. It typically goes away after the heater runs for several hours.
Should I use a wall heater or a baseboard heater?
Wall heaters, which use less wall space than baseboard heaters, use fans to push heat into the room very quickly, whereas baseboard heaters generally require 30 to 60 minutes to heat a room. Wall heaters are also generally quieter than a regular refrigerator; baseboard heaters are virtually noise-free, making them a good choice for bedrooms. Further, baseboard heaters operate at lower temperatures, which means their surfaces are cooler to the touch than the surface of wall heaters. Finally, wall heaters will typically last 8 to 12 years; baseboard heaters often have a life more than 20 years.
Installation FAQ’s (on separate page on Cadet site)
Should a professional install my heater?
That really depends on your comfort level and experience with electrical work. To help you decide whether you can tackle a project like this, read through the owner’s guide for your product. Simply visit the product page on our website and download the guide. If you need to install a new circuit or need additional wiring information, our recommendation is to consult a qualified electrician. If you want to install a heater yourself, make sure you’re complying with the National Electric Code (NEC), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and all state and local codes.
Should I use screws or nails to mount the baseboard heater?
Use screws to secure the baseboard heater to the studs in your wall by using the pre-punched “stars” at 1-inch intervals on the back of the heater. See the Owner’s Guide for detailed information on installing your baseboard heater or watch this video.
Can I use an “on/off” switch to control my baseboard heater?
No—the best way to control your baseboard heater is with a thermostat
How do I determine my supply voltage?
You must use a voltmeter. Please note: Testing with a voltmeter requires the circuit panel or fuse box to remain on. If you’re unfamiliar or uncomfortable with electrical wiring, please contact a qualified technician or licensed electrician.
Is it safe to let my drapes cover my heaters (fan or baseboard) or put furniture in front of my heater?
No, that’s not safe. In fact, please keep furniture, paper, bedding, as well as drapes and curtains away from the heater. Keep safe clearances around your heater so nothing is blocking the flow of air. A good guideline to follow— for baseboards, allow 12 inches of clearance in front of the heater and six inches on the side and above; for fan heaters, allow three feet of clearance in front of the heater and six inches to the sides and above. Your product Owner’s Guide contains safety requirements and recommendations.
Should I install 120-volt or 240-volt heaters?
If you have pre-existing wiring, check the voltage of your electrical circuit and install a heater with the same voltage. Both 120 and 240-volt heaters operate with the same output and use the same amount of electricity for any amount of time. 240-volt heaters require double pole breakers, and 120-volt heaters require single pole breakers.
See chart below (per NEC code):
Volts AC
- 120
- 240
- 240
Size of Breaker or Fuse
- 20 Amp Single Pole
- 20 Amp Double Pole
- 30 Amp Double Pole
Wire Size
- 12/2 with Ground
- 12/2 with Ground
- 10/2 with Ground
Maximum Watts on Circuit
- 1920
- 3840
- 5760
Can I install my heater under a window or by a door?
We recommend that you install your heater on an inside wall, however, you can install it under a window or by a door, just be sure the door does not swing in front of the heater path.
If you do install an electric heater on an outside wall, make sure:
- The heater is not blocked by drapes
- There is no electrical receptacle above or below the heater
- Airflow is not blocked by anything, such as an open door
Can I install baseboard covers?
No. Covers cause heat build up.
Can I install a twin style heater vertically?
No. These units are not designed to be installed vertically.
Can I install a baseboard heater vertically?
No. These units are not designed to be installed vertically.