A space heater doesn't legally require its own circuit, but a typical 1,500-watt space heater draws about 12.5 amps, most of a standard 15-amp circuit, so it should be plugged directly into a wall outlet on a circuit with little else running. If your space heater keeps tripping the breaker, the circuit is overloaded. Move the heater to a less-used circuit or have an electrician install a dedicated circuit. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip.
Last updated: October 2026
Why does my space heater trip the breaker?
A 15-amp circuit can safely handle about 12 amps of continuous load. A 1,500-watt heater uses nearly all of that by itself. Add a TV, lamps or a hair dryer on the same circuit and the breaker does its job and trips. Older homes often have bedrooms and living areas sharing one circuit, so it's easy to overload without realizing it. Our post on why a circuit breaker keeps tripping covers how to tell overload from a short or ground fault.
Why do Antelope Valley homes see this more in winter?
The high desert gets genuinely cold. December and January lows in Palmdale and Lancaster average in the low 30s°F, and colder nights drop below freezing. Many homes lean on space heaters to warm bedrooms, garages and home offices, so the same circuits that handled summer fans now carry heating loads. That's when breaker trips, warm outlets and melted plugs show up.
Is a space heater a fire risk?
It can be. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) identifies space heaters as involved in most home heating fire deaths. Common causes are heaters placed too close to bedding, curtains or furniture, and overloaded cords and outlets. Keep heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn, and plug them directly into a wall outlet.
When should you add a dedicated circuit?
- Your breaker trips whenever the heater runs with normal room loads.
- The outlet or plug feels hot, or shows discoloration.
- You use a heater daily in a garage, workshop or home office.
- You want a permanently installed wall or baseboard heater instead.
A dedicated circuit runs from the panel to one outlet or appliance, so nothing else competes for it. Our new circuits and wiring service handles the install, and if your panel is already full, we'll check whether a panel upgrade is needed.
B&M Electrical Services has 30+ years of experience as a licensed California contractor (C-1098584), serving Acton, Palmdale, Lancaster and the surrounding area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plug a space heater into a power strip?
No. Most power strips aren't built for a heater's sustained draw and can overheat. Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet.
Is it normal for the plug to get warm?
Slightly warm can happen, but hot, discolored or melted plugs and outlets mean a loose or worn connection. Stop using that outlet and have it checked.
How long does it take to add a dedicated circuit?
A straightforward dedicated circuit is often a same-visit job once it's permitted. Longer runs or full panels can take more time.
Breaker tripping every time the heater runs? Call Us Today for a Free Estimate at (661) 904-9377 or schedule your service online.