Vornado VH203-MX Personal Heater
Model: VH203-MX
3 YEAR ? SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
Owner's Guide & Instructions
Visit vornado.com for more information.
We Expect Perfection
Vornado is committed to customer satisfaction. If this product does not meet your expectations, Vornado will make it right. Contact Vornado at vornado.com or 800-234-0604.
Important Safety Instructions
This owner's guide contains vital information regarding the safety, use, and disposal of your Vornado personal heater. Please read all instructions carefully before operating the unit and keep all documents for future reference. For the most current version, visit vornado.com.
Intended Use
This product is designed to heat and circulate air within indoor living spaces only. It is not intended for commercial or industrial use, nor for damp locations such as bathrooms or laundry areas. The manufacturer is not liable for damage or injury resulting from unauthorized use or product modification. Failure to adhere to these instructions will void the product warranty.
General Safety Precautions ⚠️
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions must be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, injury, and hyperthermia:
- Risk to Children and Impaired Persons: Extreme caution is necessary when children aged 12 and under, or individuals with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, operate or are near the heater, especially when left unattended. Children must be supervised to ensure they do not play with the appliance or its parts.
- Risk for Heat Stroke (Hyperthermia): Hyperthermia can be fatal. Symptoms include high body temperature, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, and rapid pulse. If symptoms occur, turn off the heater and seek medical attention. To prevent excessive room temperatures, do not leave the heater unattended in confined spaces with infants or individuals with reduced capabilities.
Installation Warnings
To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury:
- The heater contains hot and potentially arcing parts. Do not use in areas where gasoline, paint, or flammable liquids are used or stored.
- Do not use in RVs, boats, or with battery-powered AC conversion systems.
- Place the heater at least 3 feet (0.9 meters) away from electrical outlets, furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes, curtains, and other combustible objects. Keep away from beds to prevent ignition from falling items.
- Do not place the heater on soft surfaces like beds where air intakes or exhausts can be blocked.
- Keep the product away from high-temperature heat sources like furnaces, fireplaces, or stoves.
- Do not use on uneven or unstable surfaces.
- Operate only in the upright position.
- Keep the appliance, power cord, and plug away from water. Do not use on wet surfaces, in bathtubs, showers, or near water containers. Do not use outdoors or exposed to weather.
- Do not run the cord under carpeting, cover it with rugs, or route it under furniture or appliances. Arrange the cord away from traffic areas to prevent tripping. Ensure the cord does not hang over edges or get crimped in doors. Place the appliance near an accessible outlet for quick unplugging in emergencies.
- Do not modify the product with aftermarket accessories.
Safe Use Warnings
To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury:
- Use the heater only as described in this manual. Unauthorized uses may cause fire, electric shock, or injury.
- Exercise extreme caution while the heater is operating. Always unplug when not in use. Unattended or unsupervised use is not recommended.
- The heater surfaces become hot during use. Avoid direct skin contact with hot surfaces. Use handles if provided when moving the heater.
- Always plug directly into a wall outlet. Never use extension cords or relocatable power taps.
- Do not use with surge protectors or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets.
- Ensure your outlet's power supply is compatible with the heater's electrical rating (voltage) before plugging in.
- To prevent circuit overload, fire, or electric shock, do not operate with solid-state speed devices like dimmer switches.
- Do not use with timers designed to automatically turn the unit on/off, as this can disable the thermal cutout safety feature.
- Avoid using the heater on the same circuit as other high-energy products (e.g., vacuum cleaners, blenders, circular saws).
- Do not operate a heater with a damaged cord or plug, or if it has malfunctioned, been dropped, or damaged. Discard or return for service.
- Do not sit or stand on the product.
- Never use the cord as a handle; do not yank, strain, or stretch it.
- Do not insert foreign objects into vents or openings, as this can cause electric shock, fire, or damage.
- Check cord and plug connections. Loose outlets can cause overheating or fire. Ensure a tight fit. Check frequently for hot plugs/outlets; if hot, discontinue use and have the outlet replaced by a qualified electrician.
- Never ignore signs of electrical problems like warm outlet covers, sparks, or flickering lights. Immediately turn off and unplug the appliance and contact a qualified electrician.
- Heaters draw more current than small appliances; outlet overheating may occur even if it hasn't with other devices.
- Before moving, servicing, or cleaning, turn off and unplug the heater. To disconnect, pull only the plug. Unplug if leaving unattended or during electrical storms.
- The heater has a polarized plug (one blade wider than the other) for electrical shock reduction. It is designed to fit a polarized outlet one way. If it doesn't fit, reverse the plug. If it still doesn't fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not defeat this safety feature.
- If your heater suddenly stops working:
- The heater has a thermal cutout safety feature that shuts it off during overheating. Refer to "RESET HEATER" instructions.
- If the heater and other electrical products stop working simultaneously, your home circuit breaker or fuse may have tripped due to overload. Consider using the "low" setting, running only one heater at a time, unplugging other devices, or installing an additional circuit.
Servicing Warnings
To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury:
- Clean the product regularly as instructed. Turn off and unplug before cleaning. Do not use gasoline, thinners, solvents, or ammonia. Refer to CLEANING instructions.
- Do not open the appliance housing while plugged in. All service and repairs must be performed by a Vornado Authorized Service Center to avoid shock hazards.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Safety Features
The Vornado VH203-MX personal heater is equipped with several safety features:
- Cool-Touch Case: Safe to touch even on high heat settings.
- Automatic Safety Shut-Off System: If airflow becomes blocked, power is automatically cut off to prevent overheating.
- Finger-Friendly Design: Resists curious fingers.
- Automatic Tip-Over Protection: If the heater tips more than 10 degrees in any direction, power is cut off. A red indicator light illuminates until the heater is returned to an upright position and power is restored.
Diagram Description: The Vornado VH203-MX heater is shown with labels pointing to its safety features: COOL-TOUCH CASE, AUTOMATIC SAFETY SHUT-OFF SYSTEM, FINGER-FRIENDLY DESIGN, and AUTOMATIC TIP-OVER PROTECTION.
Controls
The Vornado VH203-MX features simple controls located on the top of the unit:
- MODE: Select between High Heat (II), Low Heat (I), or Fan Only.
- POWER: Press the button to turn the unit On (-) or Off (O). An amber light illuminates when the heater is on.
Diagram Description: The top view of the heater shows the MODE dial and the POWER button.
How to Use
Before initial use, inspect the appliance for any visible damage. Do not use if damage is found; contact Vornado Air LLC at 1-800-234-0604.
- Use the integrated handle on the back of the heater for lifting and carrying.
- Position the heater so that airflow is not obstructed.
- Plug the power cord into a standard wall outlet.
- Press the Power switch and select the desired Mode. The amber light will illuminate to indicate the heater is on. For Fan Only operation, select the center position on the switch.
Diagram Description: Illustrates the steps for using the heater, including handling, positioning, plugging in, and selecting modes.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning is recommended due to the substantial airflow. Clean the exterior weekly. For service, return the heater to Vornado (see WARRANTY). A tip suggests periodically blowing out the heater with pressurized air to keep the heat element and motor clear of dust, hair, and debris, which also helps eliminate odors.
- Unplug the heater before cleaning.
- Use a vacuum cleaner's brush attachment to remove accumulated dust from the side air inlets.
- Use a vacuum cleaner's brush attachment to remove accumulated dust from the front outlet grille.
- Wipe down the entire heater with a soft, dry cloth.
Diagram Description: Shows the heater with callouts for cleaning the side air inlets, front outlet grille, and wiping the exterior.
Note: Do not modify the product with any aftermarket accessories.
Storage
For long product life, store the heater in a cool, dry location during the off-season or periods of non-use. Cleaning is recommended before storage.
- Unplug the power cord and bundle it loosely.
- Cover the heater or place it back in its original retail carton to prevent dust accumulation.
- Store in a cool, dry location.
Disposal
Dispose of all packaging materials in an environmentally responsible manner.
Reset Heater
Your Vornado Heater features a multilevel safety shut-off system to prevent overheating. If inlets or outlets become blocked, the system cuts power, requiring a manual reset.
- Turn the heater off and unplug the power cord.
- Remove any obstructions.
- Wait 5-10 minutes for the heater to cool down.
- Plug in the power cord and position the heater as desired.
- Press the Power switch to turn it on. The heater should now function normally.
Note: If the safety shut-off system repeatedly activates or fails to reset, contact Vornado Consumer Services at 1-800-234-0604.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your Vornado heater, consult the following guide:
Problem | Possible Cause and Solution |
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Unit fails to power on. |
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Unit is not producing sufficient amount of heat. |
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Unit is powered on but there is no heat. |
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Warranty
Vornado Air LLC ("Vornado") warrants this Whole Room Heater ("Product") to the original consumer or purchaser to be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase. If a defect is discovered within this period, Vornado will, at its discretion, repair or replace the Product at no cost.
For Warranty or Repair Service:
- Call 1-800-234-0604 or email help@vornado.com to obtain a Return Authorization (RA) form.
- Have your Product's model number and serial number ready, along with your contact information.
- For contactless claims, visit vornado.com/contact-us.
- Ship the product to: Vornado Air LLC, Attn: Warranty & Repair, 415 East 13th Street, Andover, KS 67002. Clearly mark packages with the RA number.
- Allow 1-2 weeks for repair and return.
Repairs not covered by warranty or outside the warranty period will incur a fee.
This warranty does not cover defects from abuse, modification, mishandling, improper maintenance, commercial use, or unauthorized repairs. It also excludes damage during shipment or acts of God. Improper product use, including voltage/frequency converters or use in unintended countries, voids warranties. Unauthorized modifications or use of non-approved parts are not recommended and not covered.
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. VORNADO IS NOT LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY.
This warranty provides specific legal rights, which may vary by state.
Designed, engineered, and supported in USA.
© 2024 Vornado Air LLC Andover, KS 67002.