TOP 5 SUPPORT QUESTIONS
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 or 25% of 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.
12/2 or 10/2 wiring is 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.
CHECK LOCAL CODES FOR BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
SINGLE POLE thermostats have one wire that breaks only one side of the power supply line. The control knob will have a low temperature setting, but no "OFF" position. Check with local codes for building requirements.
DOUBLE POLE thermostats have two wires and break both sides of the power supply line. The control knob will have an "OFF" position.
Watts = BTU/3.412 (1 watt = 3.41 BTU)
Grill discoloration can be caused by dirt or lint build-up in the heating element. Extra heat will occur in the area where the build-up is concentrated, resulting in grill discoloration. To avoid discoloration, clean the grill often and be sure your heater is clean.
SUPPORT TOPICS
- Can I wire a 240 volt heater to a 120 volt circuit?
- Can I wire a 120 volt heater to a 240 volt circuit?
- Which wires should I use to install my heater if there are more than three?
- Why should I wire in parallel instead of wiring in series?
- What do the colors mean on my heater wires?
- What should I do with the extra wire in the 12/3 or 10/3 wiring?
- How do I install my Cadet Electric Baseboard?
Series wiring is running a continuous string of heaters one after the other.
240 volt or 208 volt has either two black wires or one red and one black wire.
120 volt ONLY have one black and one white wire. The white wire on the heater is the neutral conductor. Be sure to use a separate ground for safety.
208 volt ONLY has one black and one orange wire on baseboard heaters. Be sure to use a separate ground wire.
Always test with a voltmeter or call a qualified electrician if unsure of the heater or supply voltage.

- Can I install my fan heater in an insulated wall?
- Why does Cadet recommend installing heaters on an inside wall?
- Should I install 120 volt or 240 volt heaters?
- How do I determine my supply voltage?
- Should I have a professional install my heater?
- How do I install my Cadet Electric Baseboard?
| Volts AC | Size of Breaker or Fuse | Wire Size | Maximum Watts on Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 20 Amp Single Pole | 12/2 with Ground | 1500 |
| 240 | 20 Amp Double Pole | 12/2 with Ground | 3840 |
| 240 | 30 Amp Double Pole | 10/2 with Ground | 5760 |
Cadet’s in-wall fan heaters include easy to follow instructions, to show you how to install in 4 basic steps:
1.Cutting the hole in the wall (for existing walls)
2.Routing the supply wires
3.Mounting the wall can
4.Installing the heater assembly and grill.
Cadet’s baseboard heaters can be installed in 3 easy steps:
1.Preparing the wall location
2.Mounting to wall
3.Wiring the baseboard
View our How-To Video
For more info, you can view owner’s guides listed on under each individual product, to help you determine if these steps meet your expectations for a do-it-yourself project.

- When I replace my old heater, can I replace it with a different size (wattage)?
- How do I choose the size of a fan forced heater when replacing my baseboard heater?
- Which is more efficient, a 120 volt or a 240 volt heater?
- How do I determine my supply voltage?
- How do I calculate the amps a heater will draw?
- If I know the BTU’s required, how do I calculate the watts required?
- Should I use an in-wall fan heater or a baseboard?
| TIME TO HEAT | An in-wall fan heater forces the heat into the room very quickly.
A baseboard heater generally requires 30 to 60 minutes to heat the room |
| WALL SPACE REQUIRED | Baseboard heaters require much more wall space. |
| 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. |
Com-Pak in-wall Fan Heater |
Register in-wall Fan Heater |
Baseboard Heater |
SoftHeat Baseboard Heater |
|
| Quietness | Good | Better | Best | Best |
| Quick to heat | Best | Best | Good | Good |
| Low surface Temperature | Good | Good | Better | Best |
| Product Life | Good | Better | Best | Better |

- Is it safe to let my drapes cover my heaters (fan or baseboard)?
- Are Cadet heaters safe?
- Can I put furniture in front of my heaters?
- How often should I clean my heater?

- Can I use a wall mount thermostat to control my heater if it has an in-built thermostat?
- Is a built-in or a wall mount thermostat better?
- Where should I install my wall mount thermostat?
- Can all of the heaters in my house be controlled by one thermostat?
- What is the difference between a double pole and a single pole thermostat?
- Can I use a double pole thermostat with a 120 volt heater?
- What should I do if my wall thermostat feels hot to the touch?
Note: Wall thermostats not recommended for CB or RCP Series heaters.
Wall thermostats used with a baseboard heater should be mounted across the room from the heater. Wall thermostats used with an in-wall fan heater are easiest to mount in the same stud cavity (opposite side of stud) about 5 feet above the floor. With two or more fan heaters in a large room, the thermostat should be placed in a central location.
Single pole thermostats break only one side or leg of the power supply lines to your heater and cannot be turned "off". Therefore, power is continuous to the heater and the heater will come on if a low temperatures exists. The control knob will have a low temperature setting without an "off" position.
Double pole thermostats break both sides or legs of the power supply lines; therefore all power to the heater is interrupted. The control knob will have an "off" position if turned fully counterclockwise.

- What causes grill discoloration?
- What causes sooting?
- Why does my heater seem so loud when it operates?
- Why does the motor run slowly on my fan forced heater?
- Why does the heater run - then quit?
- Why does my heater continue to heat even after I turn the thermostat down?
- Why does my heater get hot enough to keep tripping the limit switch?
- Is my heater supposed to glow?
- Why won’t my heater operate?
- Remove any objects (including curtains, furniture, etc.) that may be impeding the airflow of your heater.
- Be sure your heater is clean. Click here for maintenance instructions.
- If your heater is equipped with a MANUAL reset limit, refer to your Owner’s Guide for resetting the limit.
- How do I replace a Broken Knob on a Com-Pak C, CS, CST, CT, and CM?

- Can I paint my heater surface?
- How can I heat my garage or shop?
- What does dual rated mean?
- Why is Cadet zonal heating a “green solution”?
- Which rooms benefit the most from zonal heating?
HIGH USE AREAS such as a family room or playroom, where you spend the majority of your time, truly benefit from zonal heat solutions. Turn down the thermostat in the rest of your home, and keep these areas warm and comfortable with an electric in-wall fan heater such as the Cadet ComPak heater.
The BATHROOM often has a noticeable chill in the morning, and may be the only area that requires heating most days of the week. The new Cadet® Com-Pak™ Bath Heater provides instant heat and warms the entire bathroom area, without turning up the heat in the rest of the house. The Cadet® Com-Pak™ Bath Heater delivers the comfort in the master bath that today’s homeowner has come to expect.
The GARAGE is often a difficult to heat area, where extra warmth is appreciated. The Cadet HOT ONE® is a hardworking unit designed for garages and shops. The rugged construction provides warmth for large areas. The fan delay mechanism eliminates cold drafts on startup and disperses residual heat on shutdown. Includes a high/low switch for temperature control, and built-in double pole thermostat for a positive off, and fan only control for cool air circulation. Installation is easy with the included standard 20-amp plug and 6 “ foot cord, and a bracket for floor stand or wall mounting.

- The Register Plus Frequently Asked Questions
- The Com-Pak Plus Frequently Asked Questions
- The Com-Pak Twin Frequently Asked Questions
- The RBF Series Frequently Asked Questions
- The Perfectoe Frequently Asked Questions
- The NLW Series Frequently Asked Questions
- The SL Series Frequently Asked Questions
- The Cadet Electric Baseboard Frequently Asked Questions
- The EBHN Softheat® Hydronic Baseboard Frequently Asked Questions
- The T4398 Series Performance Thermostat Frequently Asked Questions
- The T410 Series Thermostat Frequently Asked Questions
- The Hot One® - RCP Series Frequently Asked Questions

