How to fix it
Work through these in order, the most common causes come first.
Start With the Basics
What's the total load on the circuit: a 1500W heater alone draws about 12.5 amps, near the practical limit of a 15-amp circuit.
Adding even a modest additional appliance can push the total over the breaker's rating.
How is the heater connected: plugging directly into a wall outlet avoids the resistance and current limitations of a power strip or a th in extension cord, both common contributors to nuisance tripping.
Which heat setting is running: the high setting draws meaningfully more current than low, and tripping that only occurs on high is a strong clue that the circuit is near its limit rather than genuinely faulty.
Diagnosing Your Specific Problem
Breaker trips with in seconds of turning the heater on: likely the circuit is already near capacity from another appliance, or the heater is on its highest setting.
Check what else is running and try a lower setting.
Breaker trips only when another appliance also runs: a clear sign of shared circuit overload.
Move the heater to a different circuit or avoid running both devices simultaneously.
Breaker trips immediately on plugging in, before the heater even turns on: this points to either a wiring issue at the outlet or a fault in the heater itself, not a load problem, and is worth having inspected.
Our picks
Products we recommend
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports.
Top pickLasko
Oscillation covers a workbench and the surrounding floor area without repositioning
- 29-inch oscillating tower
- 1500W ceramic element
- Overheat protection and cool-touch housing
- Adjustable thermostat
- Sturdy tip-resistant base
✓ Pros
- Oscillation covers a workbench and the surrounding floor area without repositioning
- Durable, well-design with a large ratings history in garage-style use cases
- Overheat protection is reassuring in a space with sawdust or fuel vapors nearby
- Affordable enough to dedicate permanently to a garage rather than moving it indoors
✕ Cons
- Fan intake can pull in sawdust or dust over time and needs periodic cleaning
- Plastic housing is less rugged than a metal-bodied radiator
- 2 fixed heat settings rather than a precise dial
Dreo
70-degree oscillation spreads warmth across a two-bay garage workspace
- 1500W PTC ceramic heating element
- 70-degree oscillation
- ETL-certified tip-over and overheat protection
- Digital thermostat with remote
- 12-hour timer
✓ Pros
- 70-degree oscillation spreads warmth across a two-bay garage workspace
- ETL-certified safety protections matter around tools and stored materials
- Remote control is convenient when your hands are full of tools
- Faster to reach target temperature than the oil-filled radiator
✕ Cons
- Fan intake needs occasional cleaning in a dusty garage
- Plastic housing is less rugged for rough workshop conditions
- Costs more than the Lasko 5572 for similar oscillating coverage
Vornado
Vortex airflow circulates warm air across a seating area rather than a single hot spot
- Vortex heat circulation fan
- 2 heat settings plus fan-only mode
- Cool-touch exterior
- Compact footprint
- Automatic tip-over shutoff
✓ Pros
- Vortex airflow circulates warm air across a seating area rather than a single hot spot
- Cool-touch housing is safe for a heater sitting close to a couch or chair
- Small enough to move between rooms as a supplemental unit
✕ Cons
- No oscillation, so it can't cover a large room on its own
- Not rated as a primary heater for a large open floor plan
- Only two fixed heat settings
FAQ
Common questions
Why does my space heater keep tripping the breaker?
Most 1500W space heaters draw about 12.5 amps, close to the maximum a standard 15-amp circuit can safely handle continuously. If anything else is drawing power on the same circuit, like a hair dryer, vacuum, or other appliance, the combined load can exceed the breaker's rating and trip it.
Is it safe to run a space heater on an extension cord?
Only if the extension cord is rated for at least 15 amps and is a heavy-gauge cord, ideally 14 AWG or thicker for a short run. Th in or long extension cords add resistance, which can cause voltage drop, overheating at the cord itself, and nuisance tripping. Where possible, plug a space heater directly into a wall outlet.
Should I run my space heater on the low or high setting to avoid tripping breakers?
The low setting draws meaningfully less current than the high setting, since heat settings on most electric heaters directly control power draw. If a circuit trips consistently on the high setting, switching to a lower heat setting is a legitimate way to keep using the heater without exceeding the circuit's capacity.
Could a tripping breaker mean my space heater is unsafe to use?
Usually no, if the breaker trips because of total circuit load rather than the heater itself malfunctioning. However, if the breaker trips with in seconds of plugging the heater in, before you've even turned it on, or if you notice a burning smell, discontinue use and have the heater and outlet inspected.
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