FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WIRING

Should there be a white wire on my baseboard?
The white wire is only used on Cadet 120 volt baseboard heaters. A 240 volt baseboard heater has black wires on both sides.

Which set of wires should I disconnect?
Cadet baseboard heaters can be wired on either side, so only 1 factory loop of wires needs to be disconnected.

Can I run my supply wires through the metal channel (raceway) on baseboard?
No, the baseboard heater is not UL Listed as a wire raceway. Wires should be run inside the wall.

Can I move the ground wire?
Yes, Cadet baseboard heaters are provided with a ground wire that can be wired on either side. Check both sides of heater and relocate ground wire if needed.

Can I connect multiple baseboard heaters together in a long strip?
No, heaters cannot be wired in a continuous loop (series - wiring 1 end
of heater and feeding out the other end to the next heater). Baseboard
heaters should be wired individually (parallel - wiring the second heater
to the same connection loop as the first).

Can I use 1 thermostat to control more than 1 baseboard heater?
Built-in thermostats (mounted directly on baseboard) are designed for single heater use. However, it is possible to control more than 1 heater on a wall thermostat if the thermostat rating is not exceeded. (Check the thermostat or instruction guide for thermostat rating.)

Can I mount the thermostat on 1 side and wire the baseboard heater on the opposite side?
No, the thermostat requires power from the supply wires and must be wired in conjunction with the baseboard heater.

How do I wire my heater?
View our How-To Video with step-by-step instructions on how to wire a Cadet electric baseboard and thermostat or download the current Owner’s Guide.

Can I wire a 240 volt heater to a 120 volt circuit?
No, if you wire a 240 volt heater to a 120 volt circuit, you will only get about ¼ the wattage the heater was designed to deliver.

Can I wire a 120 volt heater to a 240 volt circuit?
No, the heater will overheat and be destroyed! The heater will try to deliver four times its rated wattage, causing the element permanent damage.

Which wires should I use to install my heater if there are more than three?
Cadet 120 volt in-wall fan heaters and baseboards need 1 hot, 1 neutral and 1 ground wire. 240 volt in-wall fan heaters and baseboards need 2 hot and 1 ground wire. If you have more wires, a voltmeter must be used to determine the correct supply wires to use and the other must be capped at both ends and not used.

Why should I wire in parallel instead of wiring in series?
Parallel wiring allows all heaters to operate on the full supply voltage and one heater malfunction will not cause all heaters to stop running.

Series wiring is running a continuous string of heaters one after the other.

What do the colors mean on my heater wires?
Cadet uses colored wires to designate the voltage of each heater:
240 / 208 volt dual rated has two black wires.
120 volt ONLY has one black and one white wire. The white wire on the heater is the neutral conductor.
208 volt ONLY has one black and one orange wire.
Be sure to use a separate ground wire for each installation.

Always test with a voltmeter or call a qualified electrician if unsure of the heater or supply voltage.

What should I do with the extra wire in the 12/3 or 10/3 wiring?
12/2 or 10/2 wiring is commonly used in residential circuits. If you have 3 conductor supply with ground (total of 4 conductors), be aware that all of Cadet’s residential heaters require single-phase power to be supplied by two conductors (2 wires plus a ground). A voltmeter will be required to determine which two wires will supply the correct voltage for the heater. All “extra” wires should be capped off and unused. Always use the green ground lead provided in the heater connection box or wall can to connect to the supply ground conductor.

INSTALLATION
 
Should I use screws or nails to mount the baseboard heater?
Screws should be used to secure your baseboard heater to the studs in your wall by using the pre-punched “stars” at 1 inch intervals on the back of the heater. See your Owner’s Guide for detailed information on installing your baseboard heater.

Can I mount the baseboard heater near the ceiling?
No, the baseboard should be mounted at the floor level to heat your room effectively. If installed on carpet, the bottom of the baseboard should be mounted evenly with the carpet height.

Can I mount the baseboard heater vertically, sideways or diagonally?
Baseboard heaters must be mounted horizontally, and near or at floor level only.

Can the installation of a baseboard heater be recessed?
No, recessing the heater could cause excessive heat to be concentrated in the wall area causing a potential fire hazard.

Can I install my baseboard heater under an electrical receptacle if I do not use the receptacle?
No, this is against the National Electric Code. A BRF12 receptacle can be installed on the baseboard heater to use 120 volt appliances. The wiring from your outlet can be used, or a separate 120 volt circuit can be installed for wiring the BRF12 kit.

Can I mount my baseboard heater on the floor or paneled wall?
Yes, baseboard heaters can be mounted on the floor. However, do not allow carpet to block lower air intake located 1” from the bottom. Baseboard heaters can be mounted against sheetrock, wallpaper, and wood products such as paneling, particleboard, chipboard, and tongue and groove. Do not install on paperboard or low-density fiberboard surfaces.

What are the clearance requirements for my F Series heater?
The F series REQUIRES A MINIMUM distance of 12” in front and above, and 6” on both sides.

Should I install 120 volt or 240 volt heaters?
If your wiring already exists, you need to check the voltage of your electrical circuit and install the matching heaters. Both types of heater operate with the same output and use the same amount of electricity for any given amount of time. 240 volt heaters require double pole breakers, and 120 volt heaters require single pole breakers. See chart below:

MISCELLANEOUS
 
Does Cadet offer the baseboard heater in colors other than almond or white?
No, the Cadet baseboard heater is available in almond or white only.

Can I wire a power cord to my baseboard heater and plug it in when I need to use it?
No, the Cadet baseboard heater is designed for permanent installation only and wiring to a power cord will void the warranty.

Can I use an “on/off” switch to control my heater?
No, all baseboard heaters should be controlled with a thermostat control.

What causes sooting?
Sooting is caused by items in the environment and is not directly caused by the heater. Burning candles, cooking, cleaning supplies, Presto logs, pets, and numerous plants are a few of the items that can cause sooting to occur. Airborne particles from these items get into the heater and partially burn to a carbon material adhering to walls, under pictures and on carpets or drapes.

Is it safe to let my drapes cover my heaters (fan or baseboard)?
No, see Owner's Guide for all safety requirements and recommendations.

When I replace my old heater, can I replace it with a different size (wattage)?
Click here for a ‘Rule of Thumb’ on wattage suggestions per square foot. Installing a lower wattage heater will not cause a problem on the circuit, but if it’s not enough wattage to heat the room, the heater may run continuously in an effort to bring the room temperature to the temperature set on the thermostat. However, increasing the wattage may cause a problem if your electrical panel board (circuit breaker or fuse box) and supply wiring is not equipped to handle a higher load. All electrical work and materials must comply with the National Electric Code (NEC), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and all state and local codes.

If I know the BTU’s required, how do I calculate the watts required?
Watts = BTU/3.412 (1 watt = 3.41 BTU)

How do I choose the size of a fan forced heater when replacing my baseboard heater?
Match exactly the wattage and voltage of the baseboard heater you are replacing. Check the baseboard heater for the identification label to determine wattage and voltage. If label is missing, measure the length of the baseboard (most baseboards are approximately 200 – 250 watts per foot), then determine the voltage of the heater using information on the electrical panel board.

How do I choose the correct wattage to heat a room or zone?
Click here for a ‘Rule of Thumb’ on wattage suggestions per square foot.

Which is more efficient, a 120 volt or a 240 volt heater?
Electricity is calculated on kilowatt hours, not by voltage. For example: a 1500, 120 volt heater will cost the same to run as a 1500 watt, 240 volt heater for the same amount of time. The difference is in the amperage. A 120 volt heater will draw twice as many amps as a 240 volt heater; so fewer 120 volt heaters can be run on the same circuit.

How do I determine my supply voltage?
A voltmeter must be used to determine your supply voltage. CAUTION: this test must be performed with the circuit panel or fuse box “on”. Please call a qualified technician or licensed electrician if unfamiliar or uncomfortable with electrical wiring.

How do I calculate the amps a heater will draw?
Watts divided by Volts equals Amps
Example: 2000 Watts/240 Volt = 8.33 Amps

Should I use an in-wall fan heater or a baseboard?
Each choice has its advantages. See comparisons below:
TIME TO HEAT
An in-wall fan heater produces heat while the fan forces the heat into the room very quickly.
A baseboard heater requires 30 to 60 minutes to heat the room, provided the heater has been properly sized (adequate wattage) for the room.
WALL SPACE REQUIRED
Baseboard heaters are longer, but not as tall as a fan heater. For example, a 1500 watt baseboard will require 6 feet along an outside wall and is about 7 inches tall. A Register Plus heater grill is 14 inches wide and 7 inches high.
NOISE
Baseboard heaters are virtually noise-free, making them a good choice for the bedroom.
In-wall fan heaters are generally quieter than a typical refrigerator.
TEMPERATURES
Baseboard heaters operate at lower temperatures, making the surface temperatures of baseboards cooler.
PRODUCT LIFE
The life of a typical in-wall fan heater is 8-12 years.
The life of a baseboard heater is often in excess of 20 years.

Can I paint my heater surface?
Cadet Manufacturing uses a powder coat paint system that is electrostatically applied and baked on the surface. All Cadet heaters and accessories are listed by UL and cannot be altered in any manner.

How can I heat my garage or shop?
We recommend the RCP or the CEH unit heaters. The RCP is a 240 volt portable (plug-in) heater and the CEH is a permanent mount heater. Both are rugged and use industrial grade components.

What does dual rated mean?
A dual rated heater can be wired to either of the 2 voltage ratings listed on the product identification label. However, the wattage output will decrease with the lower voltage. For example: A 240/208 dual rated heater can be wired to either a 240 volt or a 208 volt supply. A 1500 watt fan heater will draw 1500 watts wired to 240 volt and 1125 watts (75% of 240 volt rating) wired to 208 volt.

  
TROUBLESHOOTING
  
Why does the breaker trip when I power on my baseboard heater?
If wired on the left side of heater, be sure both pairs of wires are not connected to the supply wires. If both pairs are wired to the supply wires, remove the supply wire from 1 pair of wires and connect to each heater wire, then disconnect the other pair of wires.

Should my baseboard hum?
Check model and voltage of heater to be sure your
heater voltage is compatible to the voltage supplied. Although rare, a new baseboard can create an audible hum from the heating rod and is safe to use. If the hum is bothersome, please exchange your heater at the store where it was purchased.

Why does my new baseboard heater cause a burnt odor?
The odor is most likely some residual lubricant left on the element from the manufacturing process. Ventilate the room to remove the odor, which should subside within 20 minutes. Another possibility could be air-borne particles such as lint or dust on the element.

Why does my baseboard seem to just barely get warm or not heat at all?
Most likely, the supply voltage is less than the rating of the heater. Check the voltage of your heater and your supply wires.

Why does the heater run - then quit?
Check the set point on the thermostat first. If the room temperature has reached the set point, the heater will turn off. Test by turning the thermostat up. If heater still does not power on, the heater may have reached abnormal temperatures.
When the reset trips (turning the heater off), typically the heater needs to be cleaned or is blocked. If your heater is clean and free from any obstructions, it may be wired to the wrong voltage. Check the voltage of your heater and your supply wires.

Why does my heater continue to heat even after I turn the thermostat down?
Most likely, the air temperature around the thermostat is lower than the thermostat setting. If you continue to turn the thermostat down and the heater still runs, the heater may be undersized (low wattage) or the thermostat is not functioning properly.

Why does my heater get hot enough to keep tripping the limit switch?
First be sure your heater is clean and free from all obstructions. If your heater is clean and free from all obstructions, it may be wired to the wrong voltage. Check the voltage of your heater and your supply wires.

Is my heater supposed to glow?
No, a glowing heater is an indication that your heater needs to be cleaned, the airflow has been blocked, the heater is wired to the wrong voltage, or it needs to be repaired or replaced. First, be sure your heater is clean and free from all obstructions. If your heater is clean and free from all obstructions, check the voltage of your heater and your supply wires. If the voltage of the heater matches the circuit voltage, have heater repaired or replaced.

Why won’t my heater operate?
Adjust your thermostat to a higher temperature setting. If your heater still doesn’t operate, verify power by checking your circuit panel or fuse box. If you have power to the unit, see other suggestions below:
Remove any objects (including curtains, furniture, etc.) that may be impeding the airflow of your heater.
Be sure your heater is clean.

Thermostat

Can I use a wall mount thermostat to control my heater if it has an in-built thermostat?
Yes, to bypass the in-built thermostat, turn the thermostat on the heater to the highest setting, then use the wall thermostat to regulate the room temperature.

Is a built-in or a wall mount thermostat better?
A built-in control is convenient when the walls are already finished. The built-in thermostat is also convenient to install. However, the wall thermostat is a more accurate way to control the room temperature, is more convenient to use, and has a broader selection of models. The use of electronic thermostats provides more accuracy and saves you money on your electric bill.

Where should I install my wall mount thermostat?
Thermostats should always be mounted on an inside wall and away from drafts, direct sunlight, or any appliances that could affect the performance (temperature reading) of the thermostat. Be sure the area around the thermostat is clear of shelves, pictures or other wall décor that may impede the airflow around the thermostat.

Baseboard thermostats should be mounted across the room from the heater.
In-wall fan heater thermostats are easiest to mount in the same stud cavity (opposite side of stud) about 5 feet above the heater. With two or more fan heaters in a large room, the thermostat should be placed in a central location.

Can all of the heaters in my house be controlled by one thermostat?
There are many benefits to zonal heating. Zonal systems save energy by not heating unoccupied rooms and provide the ultimate in comfort by allowing occupied zones to be heated specifically to individual needs. The purpose of each zone’s (room) heater is to heat that specific zone per the set point of the individual thermostat.

What is the difference between a double pole and a single pole thermostat?
CHECK LOCAL CODES FOR BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
Single pole thermostats break only one side of the power line to your heater and cannot be turned “off”. Therefore, power is continuous to the heater even if it is not running. The control knob will have a low temperature setting without an “off” position.
Double pole thermostats break both sides of the power line; therefore all power to the heater is interrupted. The control knob will have an “off” position.

Can I use a double pole thermostat with a 120 volt heater?
Yes.

What is the difference between a low voltage and a line voltage thermostat?
Low voltage thermostats should be used when the heater load is greater than 3,800 watts such as commercial heater (ex. Cadet CEH unit heater), or central forced air systems.
Line voltage thermostats should be used for zonal heat systems such as electric fan heaters, baseboard heaters and radiant heaters. Cadet has a variety of options to meet your specific needs.

What should I do if my wall thermostat feels hot to the touch?
Cadet recommends you replace the thermostat. A “hot” thermostat indicates that it is not working efficiently; decreasing its accuracy. NOTE: A normal operating thermostat will be slightly warmer than the room temperature by 3 to 5 degrees.