Smell from heater?

[J.huff23]

So since all of this snow we have been getting, the temps in my T room have dropped significantly. I want to put a small plug in heater in the room, but when I turn it on it smells like some kind of burning plastic. Its not melting anything, its just how the heater smells when it hasnt been turned on in a while.

Im aware that Ts cant smell, but could the fumes somehow cause harm to my Ts. It sounds like a stupid question, but its better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks,
Jake

 

[cobaltbrew]

What kind of heater are we talking about? Fan, radiator, etc...?

 

[Skullptor]

The T won't be bothered by the smell of the heater as much as it would by the electrical fire the heater may cause. If you believe it's "better to be safe than sorry" you'd replace the heater that may be a potential fire hazard, because if you smell burning plastic chances are.......Is $40 worth your collection or your life? I'd check the outlet it's plugged into as well. I've had a heater melt one before.

 

[Scoolman]

new electric radiant heaters often emit an odor the first time they are used. THe have to burn off the oil coating on the heating element. Heaters that have been in storgae will emit an odoras they burn off the dust that collected on the ehat element. If it is an old heater I would go with Skullptor and replace it.

 

[Jilly1337]

Does it smell like burning plastic or just the normal burnt smell most heaters have when you first turn them on? Does it go away once the heater has been running? If so, you could just warm it up in another room before putting it in your T room if you want to be careful.

 

[J.huff23]

Yea it is a reasonably new heater. So the odor wont affect them? Im glad the smell will go away eventually.

 

[Buckwheat]

There is really no such thing as a "stupid" question. Only stupid answers..