A couple of years ago, I was facing a very annoying issue—my Comfort Zone heater kept shutting off. Thankfully, I was able to fix the problem quite easily, as it was due to a power issue. However, I’ve identified the 5 main reasons why the heater shuts off. They are:
- Problems related to the power supply.
- Not starting up the heater the right way.
- The air filter gets too dirty.
- The internal components of the heater have gone bad.
- The heating element is malfunctioning.
I’ve seen these issues a lot in Comfort Zone heaters leading to this problem. Luckily, I’ve found the solution to these issues as well. In this guide, I’ll share all of it with you. So, let’s dive in!
Comfort Zone Heater Keeps Shutting Off [5 Easy Fixes]
I’ll talk about the main reasons why your Comfort Zone heater may not start or shut off after a few minutes, along with the solutions in this section.
1. Power Outlet Issues
One of the most common reasons why your Comfort Zone heater won’t stay on is power issues. It may seem obvious on the surface, but you won’t believe how many people overlook this simple thing.
The first thing you have to make sure is that you’re using the right outlet for your heater. The heater must be plugged into a 120V AC power outlet to run properly. If you use it in a different setting, there can be voltage issues and power fluctuations in the heater.
The second thing to make sure of is that you’re not using anything like a multiplug or an extension cord. The heater needs to be plugged in directly to the power outlet. If you’re using anything to increase the reach of your heater, that could be the issue.
There’s also the possibility that the heater isn’t plugged in properly to the outlet. So, check it and make sure it’s tight and snug.
Finally, if the power cable of the heater is faulty, it can also cause this power fluctuation issue in your Comfort Zone heater. Check for signs of wiring damage in the main power line of your heater. If you see any damage, there’s a strong chance that this could be the issue.
Solution:
Start by checking whether you’re using the right power outlet for your heater. If you’re not, fix it and make sure you connect your heater to a 120V AC outlet. That should fix the issue.
Secondly, if you’re using any multiplug or extension cord, ditch that and only connect your heater directly to a power outlet. If it runs fine, you’d know that the extension cord or the multiplug was the issue all along. These heaters aren’t meant to be used with those things.
Finally, make sure the heater makes a tight connection with the power outlet. If the outlet has come loose or something, check with another outlet. If the heater works perfectly with another outlet, the issue is with the outlet and not the heater.
When the problem arises due to the outlet, all you have to do is to replace the outlet and that’ll solve the issue. If there are signs of damage in the wiring of the heater that connects to the power outlet, get it replaced. Once you do all these fixes, you don’t have to worry about power-related issues anymore.
2. Not Starting It Up Correctly
The start-up process for Comfort Zone heaters is as easy as it gets. Yet, there are many people who mess up this process. Not doing it correctly can cause your heater to not work properly. And then you’ll be left wondering why my Comfort Zone infrared heater does not work properly. Not starting the heater correctly is a common issue in such heaters. But don’t worry; let’s look at how you can solve it.
Solution:
Turning your Comfort Zone heater on is really simple. Just check that you’re following this five-step process properly:
- Turn the heater on. Find the Power Control dial. Turn it from “OFF” to either “LOW,” “HIGH,” or “ENERGY SAVE.”
- Set the heat level in the thermostat. Turn the Thermostat Control knob to the “HIGH THERMOSTAT” setting by twisting it clockwise (to the right).
- Let the heater warm up. When you first turn the heater on, it might smell a little or even make a bit of smoke.
- Don’t worry about the smell coming out of the heater. The smell of smoke is just a protective oil burning off the heating element. This is normal!
- Wait for a few minutes. The smell and smoke will go away after the heater has been running for a while. Then you’re good to go!
Start your heater in that sequence, and if there’s any discrepancy, like setting the thermostat first before turning it on, there might be an issue. Make sure you follow the steps correctly and follow the right start-up procedure.
3. Dirty Air Filter
There is an air filter inside your Comfort Zone heater. It purifies the air before it’s used for combustion. What that means is that the air filter blocks the dirt in the air from being used for combustion.
However, in that process, the air filter itself gets dirty over time. If you’ve been using your heater for a few years, I’ll bet that you have a dirty air filter by now. The problem arises when the heater gets too dirty.
When that happens, the air filter blocks the air from getting into the combustion chamber. So, there’s not enough oxygen to get the fire going and keep the heater running. That’s why a dirty filter could be the reason why your Comfort Zone Space heater shuts off.
Solution:
Thankfully, the fix is really simple. First of all, you can try cleaning the heater and the air filter. Make sure you turn off the heater, unplug it from the power outlet, and let it cool down. Only then are you ready to work on it.
As far as cleaning the filter is concerned, it’s a really easy job. You just have to remove the grill of the heater, and you’d be able to access the filter. Take a damp cloth, and clean the filter. Get as much dirt out as you can. Hopefully, that’ll do the trick and prevent your heater from shutting off.
If that doesn’t work, you’d have to replace the air filter altogether. All you have to do is get the right replacement part, remove the grill from your heater, and replace the filter. It should be easy as the filters are widely available.
4. Internal Heater Issues
Are you still wondering why my space heater keeps turning off after a few minutes? Now, we’re getting into more serious issues that may take a while to fix. If the first three fixes didn’t help you, there’s a strong chance that one of the internal components of the heater has gone bad.
One of the most common culprits in this case is the thermal cut-off switch. It’s a built-in safety mechanism of the heater that makes the heater shut off when the temperature gets too high.
Normally, the thermal cut-off is a great feature as it prevents accidents and fire hazards. But then they malfunction; they will shut off the heater even when the temperature is fine. That’s what makes your Comfort furnace infrared heater shut off after a few minutes.
There’s also the possibility that parts like the tilt switch or the thermostat have malfunctioned. In such cases, your heater also won’t work properly to the optimal level and can shut off.
Solution:
The first thing you should try is to remove the thermal cut-off switch. Depending on the model of your Comfort Zone heater, its location can vary. But not to worry, here’s a picture of it so that you know what it looks like:
You have two options: you can either bypass it or replace it with a new one. I recommend replacing it, as it’s a very important safety mechanism. Get the right replacement part by looking at the serial number and ordering it according to that number.
Replacing the thermal cutoff is super easy. However, if you want to bypass it, only do it temporarily while you’re waiting for the replacement part. I can’t stress this enough—the thermal cut-off is there for a reason. So, don’t bypass it for long, as it’s essential to prevent a steep rise in the temperature.
Still wondering why your electric heater keeps turning off? If that’s the case, it could be either the thermostat or the thermal switch. Just replace the faulty component, and you’ll be able to use your heater without interruptions.
5. Faulty Heater
Finally, there’s the possibility that the heater has gone bad altogether. What I mean by that is that the heating element has gone bad. It’s the core component of your heater.
The most common reason behind it going bad is the sheer age of the heater. If you’ve been using your heater for more than 10 years or so, there’s a high chance that the heating element has gone bad.
Solution:
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do when your heating element goes bad. Sure, you can think of replacing it. But a lot of times it’ll be better to just upgrade to a new heater as the other components of the heater are also old.
When you think about it, replacing the heater altogether is the best move in that scenario. Because replacing the heating element with labor charges will almost cost as much as a new heater. It may even exceed the cost of a new heater at times. So, my advice would be to replace it.
How To Prevent A Fire Hazard When Using Comfort Zone Heaters?
Safety is paramount. So, I thought I’d add this section so that nobody accidentally hurts themselves. Preventing yourself from getting into a fire hazard is quite straightforward. Just keep the following things in mind:
- Don’t let anything get into the ventilation or the exhaust opening of the heater. It can cause an electric shock in the heater or start a fire.
- Refrain from blocking the air intake or exhausts with anything. That’s why using the heater on hard surfaces is a good idea. If you keep it on a bed or soft object, there’s a chance that these things could get blocked and start a fire.
- When you operate the heater, it produces sparks. So, it mustn’t come into contact with gasoline or any other flammable materials. If it does, there’ll be a fire and the whole thing may go kaboom!
- Don’t touch the heater with your bare hands when it’s in use. It can get pretty hot, and your common sense should keep you away from it. If you do, you can get burned.
- If you have combustible materials around the heater like paper, pillows, clothes, curtains, etc. Make sure that they’re at least 3-4 feet away from the heater.
FAQs:
Is it ok to keep a Comfort Zone heater unattended?
These heaters tend to get very hot when they’re in use. So, it’s not a good idea to leave them unattended. In fact, you have to take extra care to make sure that nobody goes near them when there are children around.
How to prevent electric shocks when using a Comfort Zone heater.
The main thing you can do to keep yourself safe from electric shocks is to make sure that the heater is always dry. It shouldn’t come into contact with water at any time. If it does, there’s a high chance of an electric shock.
Is it okay to use a Comfort Zone heater outside?
The short answer is no. These heaters are only meant to be used indoors. So, they have to be used in dry places and when you use them outside, they can get wet. Even when you use it indoors, you must ensure it stays dry.
Where should I place the heater in my home?
The ideal place to keep your heater would be in the coldest part of the room. That way, the heater can work the best to heat up the room.
Conclusion
Now, you know why your Comfort Zone heater keeps shutting off and how you can fix it. I hope that it’ll be a simple issue for you like a power-related issue as was the case for me.
But don’t worry if you have to diagnose a bit more to find out what’s causing the issue in your case. Once you do, follow the right corrective action and your problem will be solved.
Well, you can also check out the solution guide on Comfort Zone Infrared heater problems if have one. Good luck!
