Help: Eng. Block Heater

Those who know about Eng. Block Heater:
Had engine block heater installed a few days ago.
Wanted to give it a test +30F today I plugged in for an hour or so and started car.
But temp needle was at bottom, idled for about 30 secs - no change.

Turned heat on - no difference I could tell than w/o the heater.

Isn't the needle supposed to NOT be at the bottom ?
Basically I could tell no difference. This sounds right ?

thanks
Acura TL 2004

THe engine tem gauge is designed to measure the temperature of the oil in the engine I think and so if the heather is heating the block it would have no effect on the gauge. Also the gauge is designed to meaasure a certain range near operation temperature and I would guess that the heater does not get it that warm. So IF i am right about any of this then there is a differance it is just not heating what the gauge measures or it does not make things hot enough to register on the gauge

DoubleTap