Need to know
- Plug-in electric heaters failed electric safety testing in the UK – but they're still being sold online in Australia
- This winter we have seen prohibited models of plug-in wall heaters for sale online, promoted via ads on platforms such as Facebook and Youtube, that pose a serious electrical safety risk
- CHOICE strongly advises against purchasing these mini heaters to help heat your home
Overseas online retailers are continuing to sell dangerous plug-in electric heaters, even after regulators effectively banned them from being sold in Australia.
These miniature heaters are plugged directly into the power socket (that is, they don't have a power cord) and use a fan to circulate hot air.
Models bought from overseas may not have the standard Australian three-pin plug, and therefore need an adaptor, which can pose more risks as the weight of the heater on the adaptor may lead to a poor connection and exposed live pins, creating a serious safety hazard.
With the rising cost of living, many people may be enticed by what seems like a cheap and convenient way to heat their home
They're cheap to buy – some less than $20 – and with the rising cost of living, many people may be enticed by what seems like a cheap and convenient way to heat their home.
However, CHOICE warns against purchasing these unsafe and illegal heaters.
After we notified the ACCC about the heaters' safety failures, state regulatory bodies began monitoring retailers who continue to sell these products.
Mini heaters fail safety tests
In February 2023, CHOICE's UK counterpart, Which?, tested 10 of these heaters in their product safety lab.
Every single one of them failed their safety tests, with four of them presenting a risk of fire and – especially concerning – one presenting a risk of explosion due to counterfeit fuses.
The consumer organisation also uncovered evidence of sellers posting fake reviews and advertising to encourage people to buy these products.
This winter we've continued to see ads on YouTube and other online platforms promoting these unsafe heaters for sale in Australia, including listings on eBay and AliExpress. Brands of the unsafe heaters include Blumeheat, WellHeater and Handy Heater.
CHOICE heating expert Chris Barnes alerted the ACCC about these dangerous heaters in February 2023, but says that electrical appliance safety and compliance in Australia is overseen by a complicated and convoluted system: different states use different rules and regulations, and there's no single consistent scheme across the country.
We strongly advise against buying any of these mini heaters that plug into the wall: they carry serious risk of fire or electrical fault
Chris Barnes, CHOICE heating expert
"However, the ACCC is coordinating discussions on potential reforms that would lead to a nationally consistent electrical safety framework," says Chris.
Standards updated to exclude mini heaters
So what did these separate bodies do to ensure these dangerous heaters are taken off the market?
"Late in 2023, the electrical safety and performance standard for electric heaters was updated to effectively prevent these mini heaters from being certified safe. That means that they can't legally be sold in Australia," Chris says.
"We strongly advise against buying any of these mini heaters that plug into the wall.
"Although they may seem like a cheap and convenient option for heating, they carry serious risk of fire or electrical fault – and they probably won't be that effective or efficient at heating your home either."
Queensland takes action
"To bolster the changes to the standard, in March 2024, Queensland issued a prohibition notice for these mini heaters," says Chris.
"That makes it easier for a safety inspector to act immediately if they find these heaters for sale – they can immediately order them removed from sale and take action against the retailer."
The prohibition notice took effect on 6 March 2024, and some online platforms are removing these products from sale in Australia.
We spoke with Carl Porritt, from the Queensland Electrical Safety Office, who told us that when these mini heaters came to light in 2023, regulators were horrified and moved quickly to prevent them from being sold, and certifiers were directed not to certify them.
When these mini heaters came to light in 2023, regulators moved quickly to prevent them from being sold
The safety office also issued the prohibition notice, which makes it illegal to sell these types of heaters in Queensland.
"I also have inspectors tackling the online platforms and checking a few of the cheap stores around Queensland," he says.
Be aware of safety risks
When buying products online, it's important to be aware of potential safety risks, especially from retailers selling items that may not meet Australian safety standards.
"It's telling that these heaters only appear on online platforms and in dodgy online ads; no reputable retailer in Australia stocks this type of heater at all," says Chris.
"That's a helpful alarm bell that they are products to avoid."
You can read our tips for how to protect yourself from buying an unsafe product.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
