/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>2010943
The last guy gave it away because it is expensive to use, not because it is broken.

>>2010943
Honestly, just plug it in and turn it on. Electric heaters are obscenely simple devices. If you don't see any leaks and nothing catches fire, you're good to go.

>>2010945
It is very small, thought that may have been the reason..I live in a shoebox so thought it was perfect for me. I know a guy with a plug in device that measures the watts that are being consumed so I'll do some math before getting raped by the electricity company.


>>2010947
I'm tempted to, but why do people pay for test and tag guys? I'm mainly concerned because I don't know how long it's been out there, and it rained last week.

>>2010945
Also forgot to add - considering the costs, how do you keep a place warm if you're renting?

Extremely likely it has a label on it with the maximum rated consumption, no point in taking measurements. Electric heating is very cost inefficient regardless of how much this specific unit draws, if you have any central heating available, you should be using that. A good cost-efficient alternative for moderately cold places are targeted electric heaters, the ones with alufoil and glowy bulbs, just point it at wherever you are sitting and it will heat you and the nearby area to a comfortable level while using less power overall.
>>2010949
>why do people pay for test and tag guys
Retard tax. You can measure resistance between the two leads if you want, but whether that will give you useful information is up to how the specific unit is constructed. Give it some time to dry if you want, then plug it in and turn it on, at worst it will throw the breaker. Maybe don't leave it turned on while unattended, but that should be true even for new units. If you really want to fuck with it, take off the front cover and check for bugs/rats/any damage to the wiring before plugging it in.

>>2010951
Electric is okay if you only need a single small room to be warm.
For an entire home you need a furnace run by some kind of fuel, central heating or a heatpump.
Since you are asking you probably have central heating in the floor, it is invisible, call your landlord how to turn it up.

>>2010943
it's fine, they are the best. Been using 3 to heat my 2200 sq house scratch and dent discount from Amazon for maybe 4 years. Granted its an underground house. plug it up outside see if it catches fire

If it's dry, find an inconspicuous spot, plug it in and let it run while you're around for a few hours. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby if you're worried about it.

You could run a cable and do that all outside to be even safer I guess.

You can open the front and make a visual inspection.
Check if all wires are plugged in correctly, including ground.

>>2010943
There is literally nothing to break in those, it's basically an electric kettle on steroids and filled with oil. If it has continuity between the plug prongs (when cold) it should work, if not at least you didn't pay for it.

>>2010943
Seriously dude, just grow a pair. Being afraid of anything that isn't new and "professionally tested" is no way to live. You're probably under 25 and have grown up in the insane nanny state world of "everything that isn't 100% safe enough for a 3 year old to play with unsupervised must be banned". Just plug it in. If smoke doesn't roll out and it heats up it's fine.

>>2010951
>how do you keep a place warm if you're renting
Warm clothing

>>2010952
>less power
how so?

the oil heater would radiate heat for quite some while after warming up, and doesn't need to be always on - the heating element anyway. radiant heat is on/warm or off/nothing.

>>2010949
usually heaters with LO MED HI settings are 500/1000/1500W