Code 141 O2 Heater

It never seems to stop with my daughter's 03. We are now getting a 141 code, Malfunction in the O2 Heating circuit. The car starts and runs fine, and my understanding is this heater only comes on initially to warm up the O2 sensor in really cold weather, and by it not working right "off the bat" she will burn a little more gas. Once the car (and sensor) warms up, her gas mileage will be normal. Does this sound right to you fellows? Any real damage to be done if I don't fix this?

Thanks again for your help.

you will not pass emission test since heater o2 monitor will not be ready,

check O2 wiring for damage.

Don't forget to check the fuse for the H02 sensor.

Thanks for the replies. The fuse is fine, not too sure about the actual wiring. It is just too cold to fiddle with it if all it is going to do is fail the emissions test.
I will have it fixed before that is due. That little car has been a bundle of trouble in the last week. Ignition module went, then on the weekend in sub zero weather I had to put in a manual window regulator and now this. Time for her to get a new car or a boyfriend that knows how to do something other than play video games. :banghead:
Thanks for the help and suggestions.