When the cold sets in, the electric heater comes out of storage. With gas pressure dropping and load shedding making other options unreliable, a room heater is often the quickest way to warm a bedroom, living room, or office.
But a heater is a high-power appliance, and a few small habits can push up your electricity bill, shorten its life, or put your home at risk. The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix. Here are the seven we see most often.
1. Plugging the Heater into an Extension Cord
This is the most common mistake. Electric heaters draw a lot of power, usually 1000W to 2000W. Extension cords, adapters, and multi-plugs aren't built for that load, so they can overheat, melt, or even start a fire.
What to do instead: Plug the heater straight into a wall socket, and don't share that socket with other high-power appliances. If the plug, socket, or cable feels hot, switch the heater off and call a qualified electrician.
2. Keeping It Too Close to Flammable Things
Curtains, sofas, blankets, bedding, clothes, papers, and carpets can all catch fire if they sit too close to a heater.
What to do instead: Keep at least 3 feet (about 1 meter) of clear space around the heater. Never cover it, and never dry clothes on it. Blocking the airflow makes the heater overheat, and damp fabric left too close can ignite.
3. Leaving It On While You Sleep or Go Out
It's tempting to leave the heater running all night. But an unattended heater can tip over, overheat, or touch something flammable while nobody is watching. It also wastes electricity on an empty room.
What to do instead: Switch it off and unplug it when you go to sleep, leave the room, leave the house, or move or clean the heater. Warm the room first, then use blankets to hold the heat. Tip-over protection and automatic shut-off add safety, but they don't replace careful use.
4. Placing It on an Unstable Surface or Near Water
A heater on a bed, sofa, thick carpet, or wobbly table can easily tip over or block its own vents. A heater near water adds a serious shock risk.
What to do instead: Put it on a flat, hard, stable surface, away from doorways and walkways where kids or pets could knock it over. Never use it near sinks, bathrooms, wet floors, or damp areas, and never touch the plug or controls with wet hands.
5. Ignoring Dust and Damaged Cords
After months in storage, your heater is probably covered in dust. When you switch it on, that dust can burn and give off a bad smell, and it can block the vents.
Before the first use each winter:
- Unplug the heater and wipe the outside with a dry cloth
- Check the cord for cracks or exposed wires
- Look at the plug for burn marks or melted plastic
- Make sure the vents are clear
- Check that the plug fits snugly in the socket
If you find damage, a loose plug, a burning smell, or strange noises, don't use the heater. Never fix a damaged wire with tape. Have a qualified technician look at it.
6. Choosing the Wrong Size and Ignoring the Bill
A small heater in a big room will run all day and never really warm it up. A very powerful heater in a small room wastes electricity.
A simple guide: you need roughly 1000W for every 100 square feet of room. Add a bit more for high ceilings, big windows, or poorly insulated rooms. Also check the manufacturer's recommended room size before you buy.
How much electricity does an electric heater use? A 2000W heater uses about 2 units (kWh) per hour at full power. Run it for 4 hours a day and that's around 8 units daily. Multiply by your own per-unit rate to see the cost. To keep it down:
- Heat only the room you're using
- Keep doors and windows closed
- Switch to a lower setting once the room is warm
- Use the thermostat or timer if your heater has one
- Turn it off when you don't need it
7. Buying a Heater Without Checking Safety Features
Price matters, but so do safety features. A very cheap, unbranded heater may save money on day one and cost you more later. Look for:
- Overheat protection
- Tip-over protection
- Automatic shut-off
- Adjustable thermostat or multiple heat settings
- A strong protective grill and a stable base
- A properly insulated power cable
- Brand warranty
If voltage fluctuates in your area, ask an electrician which stabilizer suits your heater. A 2000W heater needs a stabilizer rated well above 2000W, and a low-rated one can overheat or fail.
Which Electric Heater Is Right for Your Home?
- Fan heater: warms a small room quickly. Good for short use in bedrooms, offices, and study areas.
- Infrared heater: gives direct warmth to people and objects. Good when you want focused heat in one spot.
- Oil-filled heater: heats gradually and quietly. A good pick for bedrooms and study rooms.
- Ceramic heater: often has a thermostat, timer, and oscillation for controlled heating in small and medium rooms.
- Electric + gas heater: runs on either electricity or gas, depending on the model, so you still have heat when one supply is down. Gas-connected heaters need good ventilation and proper installation.
Room Heater Price in Pakistan: Popular Models at Bismillah Electronics
Here are some room heaters from our heater collection:
- Gree Electric Heater GEH-800G: Rs. 10,500. Electric heater for wide-area heating, with auto power-off if it tips over.
- LG-020 Electric + Gas Heater: Rs. 11,500. Dual mode heater with 1000W to 2000W in electric mode and electric ignition.
- Canon Gas Room Heater 804: Rs. 11,600. Gas heater with four ceramic plates and auto ignition.
- Canon Gas Room Heater 52-A: Rs. 9,500. Gas heater in the classic balti design, with one big plate and auto ignition.
Quick Electric Heater Safety Checklist
- Plug directly into a wall socket
- Keep 3 feet of clear space around it
- Turn it off when you sleep or leave the room
- Place it on a flat, stable surface
- Keep it away from water
- Never cover it or dry clothes on it
- Keep kids and pets away
- Check the cord and plug before each winter
- Clean dust from the vents
- Choose a model with safety protection
What to Do If Your Heater Smokes or Sparks
If you see smoke, sparks, or smell burning:
- Switch it off and unplug it if it's safe to do so
- Keep children and pets away
- Don't touch exposed wires
- Never use water on an electrical fire
- Call emergency services if a fire starts
- Have the heater inspected before you use it again
Don't keep using a heater just because it still gives heat. Sparks, smoke, burning smells, and unusual sounds can point to a serious fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to leave an electric heater on all night?
It's best to switch it off and unplug it before sleeping. A timer, thermostat, automatic shut-off, and tip-over protection add safety, but they don't mean the heater can be left unattended.
Can I use an extension cord with an electric heater?
Avoid it. Plug the heater directly into a wall socket. If you don't have a suitable outlet, ask a qualified electrician to install one.
How far should a heater be from curtains and furniture?
Keep at least 3 feet (about 1 meter) of clear space around it.
Which electric heater is best for a bedroom?
Choose one with a thermostat, overheat protection, tip-over protection, and automatic shut-off. Oil-filled and ceramic heaters are popular for bedrooms. Match the wattage to your room size.
Does an electric heater increase my electricity bill?
Yes. Higher wattage and longer hours mean more units used. Heat only the room you're in, and lower the setting once it's comfortable.
Which is better, an electric heater or a gas heater?
It depends on your home. An electric heater is easy to use anywhere with a socket and doesn't need a gas line. A gas heater can be cheaper to run when gas supply is reliable but needs ventilation. If your gas pressure comes and goes, an electric + gas heater gives you both options.
What is the electric heater price in Pakistan?
At Bismillah Electronics, room heaters start from around Rs. 9,500, and electric models start from around Rs. 10,500, depending on brand, model, and features. See current prices in our heater collection.
Shop Heaters at Bismillah Electronics
Bismillah Electronics offers room heaters, electric heaters, gas heaters, and electric + gas heaters for homes and offices, with nationwide delivery across Pakistan.
Browse the heater collection, explore our home appliances, or pair your heater with hot water from our electric geyser collection.
Our Locations: Abbottabad | Mansehra | Haripur | Wah Cantt | Rawalpindi | Attock.
