Don't throw out that old electric space heater

[Harry Chickpea]

We bought an inexpensive small Lasko space heater a couple years ago, initially to heat our camper trailer, but lately it has seen use as a heater in our bedroom overnight. It used to heat the camper trailer easily. Since I started using it this season, I've noticed that it just hasn't been heating as well. It would heat and the air will come out warm, but without any power. Even on cool nights it would run for a long time.

I just got through taking it apart (three philips screws and one anti-user security screw) and OMG!!! It had a MAT of dust that had collected on the heating element. The unit is thermostat controlled within the case, so when the air in the case heated up (due to the reduced airflow) it would cut off before the dust got to combustion temperature; however the heat output was at most a quarter of what it was originally. I vacuumed out the dust mat and cleaned the interior and fan, and it is good as new.

A few years back I had another brand with a similar problem, except it blew its internal fuse rather than overheat the element. A trip to Radio Shack replaced the fuse.

There must be thousands of space heaters that are tossed out or are running unsafe because of dust built up inside. If nothing else, find someone with a compressor and cleaning nozzle to blow the worst dust build-up out of yours. You may be surprised how much can accumulate.

[Danaus29]

Thanks for the info. I've got a couple of them that probably need cleaning.

[Win07_351]

Thanks for the advice, I use several space heaters.

[stef]

Hmmm. Thanks for the tip. I've got a favorite little Holmes heater that's been cutting off now and then.

I'll have to see if I can find a way to dis-assemble it and check for dust bunnies.


stef

[57plymouth]

Originally Posted by Stef

Hmmm. Thanks for the tip. I've got a favorite little Holmes heater that's been cutting off now and then.

I'll have to see if I can find a way to dis-assemble it and check for dust bunnies.


stef

Same advice for hair dryers. I clean my wife's four or five times a year, but I use a blast of air from the compressor in the shop. (I have a long blower with a thin aluminum tube that fits all the way to the back of the unit to clear the mesh)

[Reptyle]

Originally Posted by 57plymouth

Same advice for hair dryers. I clean my wife's four or five times a year, but I use a blast of air from the compressor in the shop. (I have a long blower with a thin aluminum tube that fits all the way to the back of the unit to clear the mesh)

This is exactly right. My wife threw out a hair drier she said wasn't working anymore. I looked at it, saw that the air intake screen at the back of the hd was stopped up with hair and other junk. Took a brush, cleaned it out and it worked like new.
It's amazing what a good cleaning will accomplish on most anything.

[Gianni]

Clean the fan blades also, the added weight wears out the motor.