Don't use a 16-gauge cord for a 1500W space heater

You shouldn’t.

A 1500W space heater pulls about 12.5 amps. A standard 16-gauge extension cord is only rated for 10-13 amps depending on length and quality, and that’s before you account for voltage drop over distance. Even at the store’s “rated” 13 amps, you’re right at the limit. Push past 25 feet and the voltage drop gets worse, the cord heats up, and you’re asking for a melted outlet or a fire.

The safe play is 14-gauge or thicker for any heater over 1000W. If you really have to use a 16-gauge, keep it under 25 feet and check the cord temperature every few minutes. But honestly? Don’t. Space heaters are the #1 cause of home electrical fires. The six bucks you saved on a thinner cord isn