Understanding the power needs of your Galanter & Jones heated furniture is an easy and important part of the setup process. In this guide, we’ll demystify the electrical requirements that you need and answer the most-frequently asked questions about getting started. Let’s go!
What electrical requirements do I need to use Galanter & Jones heated furniture?
We don’t expect our customers to have an expert background in electrical engineering, which is why the usage requirements for our furniture are simple! Here’s exactly what you’ll need to know in order to get started with your heated furniture:
- Step 1: Identify the outlet(s) you’ll use to power your heated furniture. If it’s outdoors, be sure it is a GFCI outlet.
- Step 2: Determine how many watts your heated furniture piece(s) will need. If you’ll have more than one piece, add up to total wattage (see the chart below).
- Step 3: Identify which circuit your outlet(s) is/are on and how many watts it can support.
- Step 4: Factor in any other electronics that are running on this circuit (e.g. lamps or other appliances). Subtract their wattage from the total watts available to be sure you don’t overload the circuit.
- Step 5: Compare the watts your heated furniture needs to the watts you have available. If the watts you need are less than the watts you have, you’re all set! If your furniture requires more watts than your circuit can support, you’ll need to distribute your furniture across different circuits.
Let’s dive into the specifics and some FAQs about the electrical requirements below!
How much electricity will my heated furniture use?
Our heated furniture pieces consume between 750 and 1,500 watts of electricity.
The handy chart below breaks down exactly how much electricity (in watts and amps) each of our models require. Add up the wattage for all the pieces you’re considering to know exactly how much electricity you’ll need.
For example: Say you want one Apollo Chair and one Kosmos Lounge, the total wattage for the set is: 750w + 1250w =2000w.
*The listed watts and amps are the amount of electricity required to get your furniture up to temperature. Once it heats up, your Galanter & Jones furniture will only require a small drip of electricity to keep it heated. Yay!
How do I know if I have a GFCI outlet?
A GFCI outlet (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a special type of electrical outlet designed to keep you safe from electric shocks. It monitors the flow of electricity and quickly shuts off the power if it detects a problem, like when water comes into contact with the outlet.
You can visually identify a GFCI outlet by looking for two buttons on the face of the outlet, usually labeled "Test" and "Reset." These buttons are often different colors, like black and red or both white, and the outlet may have "GFCI" written on it.
According to modern electrical codes, all outdoor outlets are required to be GFCI-protected, so your home very likely is already equipped with the right outdoor outlet for using heated furniture outside. We recommend taking a quick peek to be sure!
Note: If you plan to use your Galanter & Jones heated furniture inside, then any outlet will work!
How do I know which circuit my outlet is on?
Time to head to your circuit breaker panel! In many homes, each circuit is labeled with exactly which rooms or parts of the home they control. Look for the room that corresponds with where the location of your desired outlet is and you’ve found your circuit!
No labels? Here’s another way to find or confirm which circuit your outlet is on:
- Turn off all devices connected to the outlet: Unplug any appliances or electronics from the outlet you want to test.
- Go to your circuit breaker panel: This is usually located in a basement, garage, or utility room.
- Flip circuit breakers one by one: Turn off one breaker at a time, then check if the power to the outlet has been cut off. You can do this by plugging in a small device like a phone charger or hairdryer to see if the outlet still works.
- Label the breaker: Once you've identified which breaker controls the outlet, mark or label it in the breaker panel so you know for future reference.
Alternatively, if you want a quicker way, you can use a circuit tracer tool, which helps identify the exact circuit without having to turn off each breaker manually.
How do I know how many watts my circuit can support?
The wattage a circuit can support is determined by its amperage and voltage, using the formula:
Watts = Amps x Volts
The easiest way to find out the amp rating of a circuit is to look at the number on the circuit breaker switch in your breaker panel. Common ratings are 15, 20, or 30 amps. The number printed on the breaker indicates how many amps the circuit can handle.
In typical household electrical systems in the U.S., 15, 20, and 30 amp circuits usually operate at either 120 volts or 240 volts, depending on the specific wiring.
Here is how many watts 15, 20, and 30 amp circuits can support at common household voltages:
- 15-amp circuits usually support 120 volts → Giving you 1,800 watts to work with
- 20-amp circuits also typically support 120 volts → Giving you 2,400 watts to work with
- 30-amp circuits can support either 120 volts or 240 volts, depending on the wiring → giving you either 3,600 watts or 7,200 watts depending on the voltage.
These wattages represent the maximum power the circuit can handle safely without tripping the breaker. We recommend not using above 80% of a circuit’s capacity.
Now you know how many watts your heated furniture will require and can compare that to how many watts you have available. If the number of watts you need is less than the number of watts you have, you’re all set!
If not, then you’ll need to distribute your furniture pieces across different circuits.
More FAQs About Galanter & Jones Heated Furniture Electrical Requirements
Q: Can I plug my Galanter & Jones furniture into any outlet?
A: Yes! All our heated furniture can be plugged into a standard 120V outlet. If using it outdoors, make sure it’s a GFCI outlet, which protects against electrical shock in wet conditions.
Q: Does your furniture use as much electricity as a hair dryer?
A: No, our furniture uses far less electricity than a hair dryer! The average hair dryer uses between 1200 and 1875 watts of power the full time it is on. Our furniture requires between 750–1500 watts of power to heat up, but once it reaches your desired temperature, it only requires a small drip of power to keep it up to temp!
Q: How much does it cost to use heated furniture?
A: Our largest piece of furniture uses approximately 22 cents-worth of electricity every hour. That’s 85% less than the cost of running an overhead heat lamp!
Q: What happens if I forget to turn my heated furniture off?
A: Don’t worry! Our furniture automatically shuts off after 8 hours.
Q: What happens if there’s an electrical overload?
A: If you accidentally overload a circuit, the breaker will trip, cutting off power. Don’t worry—resetting the breaker is as easy as flipping a switch in your breaker panel.
Q: What’s the difference between a 120V and a 220V outlet?
A: Most everyday outlets in the U.S. are 120V, which works perfectly for our furniture. 220V outlets are typically used for appliances like ovens, dryers, or electric vehicle chargers. These outlets give you more watts to work with, which is why they are often installed in areas of the home that require more power.
With the right knowledge of your home’s electrical setup and Galanter & Jones furniture power requirements, you’re all set to sit back and enjoy the warmth—without worrying about blowing a fuse. Make sure to check your circuits, use the right outlets, and consult an electrician if you’re unsure about capacity or need an extra outlet.
More questions? We’re here to help answer any questions about installation or electrical needs. Once everything’s set up, you can relax in comfort, knowing you’ve covered all your bases—and enjoy the warmest seat in the house!
