I have hooked both wires to separate circuit breakers one white and one black and connected them to the black and red leads from the wall unit and the ground poles on the heater box but it does not work. If I disconnect the white wire from the circuit breaker and connect it to the white posts on the breaker box it works (standard 110 hook up) but with reduced heat and fan performance.

1. circuit breaker-----black----- to black on wall heater
2. circuit breaker-----white------to red on wall heater
3. ground from circuit breaker box to wall heater box
THIS DOES NOT WORK

1. circuit breaker----- Black------ to black on wall heater
2. White post connector in circuit breaker box with white wire to--- red lead on wall heater.
3. ground from circuit breaker box to ground on wall heater box works but at reduced performance
Help me understand this. Should I run another wire from the white post on the circuit breaker box. Should it be like running power for a dryer or stove with three leads red + black from circuit breakers and white from the white posts in the circuit breaker box

You say I have hooked both wires to separate circuit breakers, you must be using a 2 pole circuit breaker rated for 250 volt. Do you have 240 volts at the breaker when it is on? You may be connecting to a tandem breakr, looks like a 2 pole, but both poles connect to one bus on the paenl, as a true 2 pole CB connects to both bus bas in the panel.

What is the part number and make of the breaker you are using?

It is a BR2020 the size of a standard breaker with 2 different breaker switches on it.

You say I have hooked both wires to separate circuit breakers, you must be using a 2 pole circuit breaker rated for 250 volt. Do you have 240 volts at the breaker when it is on? You may be connectin to a tandem breakr, looks like a 2 pole, but both poles connect to one bus on the paenl, as a true 2 pole CB connects to both bus bas in the panel.

What is the part number and make of the breaker you are using?
BR2020 the size of a single breaker but with two breakers on it.

Yes, you have a Cutler Hammer #BR2020 tandem breaker consisting of two single pole 20 amp breakers that can fit into the space of one full size breaker.

This CB only connects to one leg 120 volt bus in the panel, and is used to add circuits to a panel that is full of full size breakers, instead of replacing the panel. So at the heater you are only getting two circuits of 120 volt to ground, and cannot get 240 volt.

You need a Cutler Hammer #BR220, this will connect to both hot bus bars in the panel, and deliver 240 volts that you need. Let me guess, a clerk in a big box hardware store helped you choose the parts you needed.

It means another trip back to the store, with your receipt to exchange the BR2020 for a BR220.

Does that mean I just need to buy another breaker. Hook one breaker to the black wire on the heater and the other wire from the other breaker White to the red lead.and of course the ground.

Does that mean I just need to buy another breaker. hook one breaker to the black wire on the heater and the other wire from the other breaker White to the red lead.and of course the ground.
TO MR tkrussell Hopefully you get bypassed buy this severe cold front. Our Windchills have been down to the -40s. Up here in the mountains

Yes as I stated, You need a Cutler Hammer #BR220, which is only one circuit breaker with 2 poles.