The Fix-It Playbook — Space Heaters & Tripping Breakers

Space heaters cause a disproportionate share of home heating fires every winter — almost always for one of two avoidable reasons covered here.

Inside: The 3 ft (0.9 m) clearance rule · Why one heater trips a breaker · The honest cost comparison · When to stop and call a pro · Troubleshooting · Printable space-heater safety checklist.

Doing it yourself: free — clearance and outlet choice cost nothing to get right.
Calling a pro: a standard electrical inspection runs $100–200 (national average around $145); adding a dedicated outlet or circuit for a heater runs $150–350.

5 pages of labeled diagrams, parts lists and real numbers — no filler, no 40-minute video. Temperatures and measurements in both Fahrenheit/Celsius and feet/meters, so it works wherever you are. Ends with a printable checklist.

Instant PDF download: print it for the garage or follow it on your phone with the parts in hand. Yours to keep, no subscription.

Need more than this one job? The Winter Safety Kit bundles all 5 winter safety guides — 24 pages — for $14.