Room Heater Buying Tips: Room heater provides relief in winters but while purchasing, just looking at the price or design is not enough. Security features are most important. For this reason, the government and the standards setting body BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) have made some important safety rules for room heaters which are important for every buyer to know.

Why is BIS certification most important?

Having ISI mark on electric heaters sold in India is considered to be the biggest safety sign. Every ISI certified heater has to undergo several electrical and mechanical tests under BIS regulation IS 302-2-30:2007. This mark guarantees that the heater is safe for domestic use.

Electric shock and fire protection check

According to BIS, tests like earth continuity, electrical strength and protection from live parts are mandatory in heaters. Their purpose is to ensure that no accident occurs due to electric shock or internal malfunction during use. Apart from this, the automatic cut-off feature is also very important, which automatically switches off the heater in case of overheating or falling.

Having the right wattage is also important

Accuracy of power input and wattage has also been emphasized in the government guidelines. Room heaters generally come in the category of 1000 watts and above. Choosing a heater with higher wattage for the wrong sized room can lead to overheating and excessive electricity consumption. BIS certified heaters must meet the standards of proper earthing, good quality insulation and protection from short circuit.

What things are checked during testing

In the BIS lab, the heater’s strength, long-term performance, leakage current and tolerance towards heat and fire are tested. The stability test ensures that the heater does not overturn easily, while the fire resistance test ensures that its parts do not get damaged even in extreme heat.

Government advice to customers

BIS from time to time warns consumers that cheap or unbranded heaters without certification can put home safety at risk. While purchasing, it is important to check the condition of the power cord, check the complete details of the brand and manufacturer and take care of warranty-service.

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