If you plan to install a 4,000-watt garage, patio, space, or wall heater in your home or business, there’re a few things you need to know beforehand so that you have the right expectations from the get-go.
Read on for my top list of 7 answers that have made a difference for me when installing and using the heater.
1. Amp Draw and Recommended Wire size (AWG)
The 4,000-watt 230-240v heater draws about 16-17 amps at maximum power. To safely handle the current, you can use AWG 10/2 wire to supply the 230-240V.
2. What Size of Breaker?
Use a 30 amp breaker to protect the wiring. Check the installation instructions for the heater.
Some manufacturers recommend a 20 amp breaker/ 20 amp circuit!
3. What Size of Room?
Depending on the design of the heater, and the amount of insulation in the space heated, it may be able to heat up to about 120-140 sq. ft.
How well it heats up a particular area largely depends on:
- the design of the heater – does it have a fan or not as an example,
- Is the space insulated or not,
- the number of windows, the fewer the windows the easier it will be to maintain a set temperature and
- the ambient temperature
- If it is installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines
4. How Many BTU/hr is a 4000 Watt Heater?
A 4,000-watt heater is about 13,760 BTU from, 1 watt = 3.41 BTU/hr. And so, 4,000 watts is 4000 x 3.41 = 13,760 BTU/hr.
5. How much electricity?
The electricity consumption(kWh) of your heater depends on your usage pattern. The estimated consumption over 8 hours, 24 hours, and a month is shown below.
Your experience will depend on the duration for which the heater is used.
Usage over 8 hours
The estimated electricity usage (kWh) if the heater is running continuously is 32kWh, from 8 hours x 4,000 watts.
The cost of running the heater is USD 3.52. This assumes an average electricity tariff of 11 cents per kWh.
Daily Electricity usage
The estimated electricity usage (kWh) if the heater is running continuously is 96kWh, from 24 hours x 4,000 watts.
The cost of running the heater is USD 10.56. This assumes an average electricity tariff of 11 cents per kWh.
Monthly Electricity Usage
The estimated electricity usage (kWh) if the heater is running continuously is 2,880kWh, from 24 hours x 30 days x 4,000 watts.
The cost of running the heater is USD 316.8. This assumes an average electricity tariff of 11 cents per kWh.
6. Why your Electricity Consumption may be Different
This is usually because the heater works for fewer hours than indicated above.
It may be switched on for fewer hours or the heater thermostat (if installed) cycles power on and off to maintain the set temperature.
Over time, the heater may not be abler to heat as well because of the build-up of dust and other cobwebs that lower its heating efficiency. Cleaning the heater from time to time can go a long way in keeping it working efficiently for a long time.
7. Tips to Keep the Heater Working Efficiently
Always check the owner manual for the recommended maintenance instructions.
At a minimum, you usually have to wipe off the dust from the heater vents periodically.
There are important safety guidelines to be aware of:
- Switch off the electric heaters first and allow them to cool.
- Wipe with a damp cloth any dust build-up from the vents and wipe the vents dry.
- Only reconnect the heater to the grid after it has dried properly to prevent electric shocks!
Closing Thoughts
You can usually use a 10/2 AWG wire on a 20 or 30-amp breaker to safely supply electricity to a 4,000-watt heater.
The space heated ranges from 120-140 sq. ft but depends on several variables including installation instructions, and how well insulated the space is among other factors.
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