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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
My heater emits a “strange” odor when I first open the box/when I turn the heater on for the first
time. Why?
These are both normal. This heater is treated with a special heat safe/resistant coating. This
odor will sometimes be present when the box is opened, and may be compared to a heaters version
of “new car smell.” Also, similar to all hearth appliances (woodstoves, etc.), the coating, exposed to
heat, will produce this particular odor during the first few hours of operation. This will dissipate after
the break-in period. If you are sensitive to odors, you may want to pre-burn the unit in a garage
with the door open until the initial odor dissipates.
If my heater runs on approximately 1500 watts, how many BTU’s is that? Is that a lot of heat?
At 1500 Watts, your heater will use approximately 5100 BTUs. 5100 BTUs, compared to your home
furnace, is a very small amount of heat. It may take several minutes, to several hours to heat your
area, depending on various factors (see Heater Placement).
Can my heater really operate on less money per day? What are my operating costs?
Most Definitely. If the heater is used as it is intended (as supplement/assist heat), it should cycle on
and off, allowing for it to heat a total of approximately 8 out of the 24 hours of the day. Using the
national average of approximately 10¢ per kWh (look at your bill for exact cost per kWh--will vary per
state), your average heating cost should be less per day compared to your main furnace. The costs
will increase if it is used as the single source of heat, or if heat somehow escapes the room being
heated, since the “on” cycle will run longer.
The Formula: To determine the cost of this or ANY 1500 watt appliance, multiply 1.5 X your cost per
Kilowatt Hour. You can find the cost per KWH for your state at:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html
What is the life expectancy for the Heating Elements? Can the heating elements be replaced?
The life expectancy of the heating elements is typically 25,000 hours. Heating elements may be
replaced by obtaining parts from LIFESMART Products, although it is not recommended (unless you
are a certified heater technician or authorized directly by LIFESMART). All parts may be purchased
through LIFESMART PRODUCTS if your product is out of warranty. Note: If you feel that the
elements are definitely faulty right out of the box, contact LIFESMART Products Tech Support first
(for troubleshooting). Contact your place of purchase second.
Once I plug the unit in and turn it on, how long will it take to heat my room?
Typically it takes about ½ hour to feel a temperature change. Please remember that with any type of
heating process, there are many variables: Location (in the home), floor plan and size of the room,
how well the room is insulated, how many doors/windows, how much bare concrete (acts as a heat
sink with any type of heating), the opening and closing of an exterior door, long hallways, high
ceilings, etc. Customers with smaller rooms experience quick heat changes. Others with larger and
open floor plans can expect up to 24 hours to heat up.
