Heaters FAQ

For most climates providing 10 watts for every square foot of bathroom area will supply adequate supplemental heat. If the heater is to be the sole source of heat for the room or the bath is poorly insulated it is advisable to provide 15 watts per square foot. Severe climates will also require the use of a larger heater.

This is a matter of personal preference. Infrared heaters will give you an instantaneous sensation of heat on your skin as long as you stay in range of the bulbs or element. Fan forced heaters raise the temperature of the air in the room so it will take longer to feel the heat. You are restricted to the line of sight that radiant heat requires. If you intend to use the as an emergency backup for freeze protection, definitely use a fan forced unit.

Yes. Some heaters have built in thermostats, but they can either be removed or inactivated. Remote thermostats can be located so that they are more convenient to adjust than the built in one. Located across the room from the heater, they will also insure that the heater runs long enough to heat the whole room. This is especially true in an odd shaped room where air does not flow readily from one section to another.

While possible, this must be done carefully. Check the amp and volt ratings of the thermostat to verify that it can handle the load of all heaters running at the same time. You may also get uneven heating if the areas covered by each heater are different sizes.

None of our heaters are UL listed for use in a shower. We are unaware of any manufacturer who has a heater that can be safely installed in a shower or tub enclosure.

Broan does not recommend this. If it must be done for some reason, we suggest you contact an experienced paint professional for advice. Keep in mind that the grille will be exposed to temperatures higher than normal room temperatures. Broan cannot guarantee the acceptability of the results.

Broan heaters are designed to provide supplemental heat for rooms you want warmer than the rest of the home or for rooms not adequately served by home's main heating system. They are not recommended for whole house heating.

All Broan heaters are provided with over heat protectors, which will shut the heater down if the internal temperature rises above preset limits.

Either the thermostat is indicating the room is already at the desired temperature or the unit is overheating and the thermal protector has shut it down. If this is a new installation check the mounting. If the housing is set too far back into the wall, the warm air may just circulate behind the grille instead of being discharged into the room. The same thing can occur if the unit is installed into a corner where most of the heat is directed right back into the heater. If this is an older installation and the problem has just developed, turn off the power and attempt to clean the unit with a vacuum cleaner. Visually inspect the unit for any restriction of airflow and any damage to the heating element, motor or thermostat.

The model 154 is a fan-forced heater. While the 157 also has a fan in it, it is primarily a radiant heater. The fan is just to maintain the internal temperature of the unit.