Installing Wall Heaters

In many homes, there are times and locations when the main heating system could use a boost. There are circumstances where it is nice, if not necessary, to maintain an extra amount of heat - say, in a room farthest away from the furnace where long duct runs provide enough heat most of the time but not in really cold weather. Also, if you spend a lot of time in one room, it may be more efficient to add supplemental heat there instead of beefing up the central system.

Electric wall heaters are often installed in bathrooms, but can be handy in other areas like a an entryway. These heaters require a dedicated circuit, and are available in models which require 120 volts or 240 volts, with several wattage options. They can be either controlled via a switch on the heater or by a wall switch. Below are guidelines on how to install a fan-forced electric wall heater that is controlled by a switch on the heater.

Turn off the power to nearby circuits. Cut out a section of drywall, using a drywall saw or saber saw (Fig. 1). Be careful not to cut through existing wires or pipes.

The heater will need a dedicated circuit, which will involve installing a new circuit breaker at the main panel, and fishing cable to the new location. This can be dangerous and involved work. Have an electrician add the circuit and fish cable to the wall opening, between studs, allowing slack to wire the heater.