Item in question is a RugBuddy under-the-rug radiant heater. Draws 3.08 A, it's UL-listed, has no motor or moving parts, just a (few yards long) thin wire heating element, and a GFI on/off plug. [www.speedheat.us]

I've been using a smaller version of the same rug heater that's 165W, and have let that smaller one run 24/7 for 4 & 6 month stretches, and I'm now comfortable w/it's safety; the plug only gets slightly warm to the touch. It's plug/switch & cord look reasonably heavy-duty.

I REALLY like these things, and can (again) highly recommend. Even though they're not cheap, they are totally silent, invisible, and efficient - putting the heat where I want it the most, on my feet.

-The question is, can this bigger draw be considered safe running all season (or 2+) long? I'm probably most concerned about the plug & outlet.

Honestly, I'd never be comfortable with a 370W electrical device completely surrounded by flammable materials. Seem like one cut in it could cause it to short. I'd be looking under the rug every week to make sure it's not damaged.

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Definitely not. Use when human present only.

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Streets are straight, houses are square, and our bodies are round. We don't belong there. We belong outside, doing stuff. - Warren Miller
www.unofficialalpine.com

If you want a couple hundred watt heater, go get a G5 from ebay and set it up to run folding@home 24/7.

This:


is a foot warmer.

I don't see why you would need it on 24/7, unless you spend all that time literally on the rug, which would be weird but clear justification at the same time.

Well 370W is about $20/month in power, a little less than it costs me to heat my hot tub. If it's UL rated, read the rating stipulations -- that'll tell you a lot about how it's intended to be used. Electricity isn't magic (well, it is, but...) -- a small cut in the insulation would not be a problem, nor would it being cut in two somehow as long as you can't touch it -- and you would unplug it wouldn't you before touching it? I'm making the assumption here that this device has GFCI protection built-in, so if any leakage current occurs, the thing will shut itself off. If it's not GFCI protected, then you can put in a GFCI-protected outlet.... On the whole, if you like it, go for it.

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You're rich, gas is cheap -- step on it!!

I'm not concerned about the "danger"; it's not like your putting a cheap extension cord underneath a run.

IF (note the big "IF" ) you spend a lot of time on that rug and the heater is slow to warm things up, then *maybe*.

But $20 a month is $20 a month. Is that money spent wisely. Your call.



[I really dislike that smilie bug]

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-An armed society is a polite society.
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I *love* Sigs. It's Glocks I hate.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2009 01:50PM by RAMd®d.

Quote
Dick Moore
Well 370W is about $20/month in power, a little less than it costs me to heat my hot tub. If it's UL rated, read the rating stipulations -- that'll tell you a lot about how it's intended to be used. Electricity isn't magic (well, it is, but...) -- a small cut in the insulation would not be a problem, nor would it being cut in two somehow as long as you can't touch it -- and you would unplug it wouldn't you before touching it? I'm making the assumption here that this device has GFCI protection built-in, so if any leakage current occurs, the thing will shut itself off. If it's not GFCI protected, then you can put in a GFCI-protected outlet.... On the whole, if you like it, go for it.

I just noticed it has a GFCI plug on it. So I'm a little less concerned. Still, with what my floor sees, it would be the most likely electrical hazard in the house.

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Quote
Dick Moore
Well 370W is about $20/month in power...

$0.075/kWh? I want to live where you live - that's just under 60% of what we're paying in San Diego...turn that $20 into $34 here.

The unit is GFCI protected. And this is for a studio -it's part of the house, but an old addition, w/it's own furnace, lots of glass, high ceiling, lots of air leaks, and a tile floor that's right on the slab. As you might imagine, it gets Cold in thar.

Often the studio room is closed off w/it's furnace turned off as well, so I'm thinking leaving on at least a rug heater in there might take the chill off and help keep the Rest of the house a little less chilled/drafty as well. If so, it would probably pay back it's $20/mo cost of operation.
--I'm pretty sure the smaller rug htr I'm running costs near 0 to run on balance, since I turn up the furnace less often to warm the toosties.

edit: the rug htrs do take a while to crank up, figure on 45mins lead time.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2009 02:05PM by Psurfer.

how about a nice pair of $20 slippers instead?

...I'm thinking leaving on at least a rug heater in there might take the chill off and help keep the Rest of the house a little less chilled/drafty as well.

You'd have to try it, but I can see how that heater would not be even nearly up to the task to influence room heat. I think it's more to do just one thing- heat your feet.

Or whoever might be on the bottom, on the rug. If ya know what I mean...

---

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Jonathan Ive

-An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

There is no safety for honest men
except by believing all possible evil
of evil men.

I *love* Sigs. It's Glocks I hate.

Quote
SDGuy

Quote
Dick Moore
Well 370W is about $20/month in power...

$0.075/kWh? I want to live where you live - that's just under 60% of what we're paying in San Diego...turn that $20 into $34 here.

Don't know about him, but Seattle has the cheapest electric rates in the country.

hey, i dont know anything about what handles what electrically but you're already a few hundred in, what about a timer (or a clapper )



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2009 10:28AM by MacDoxy.