Conscious Choice: Cut Utility Bills with an Electric Space Heater

March 2002 | Sensible Home

Cut Utility Bills with an Electric Space Heater

by James Dulley

Dear Jim: A couple of rooms in my home are always chilly. I want to use two small efficient electric space heaters instead of turning up the thermostat. How can I determine which designs are best and safest for my children? — Sue R.

Dear Sue: Using small electric space heaters is wise. Even if you have a gas or oil furnace, using a few heaters instead of cranking up the thermostat can cut your utility bills. It can also improve your comfort because you get heat where you need it the most. However, the myriad of electric space heater designs, styles, sizes, and prices can be mind-boggling. There actually are significant differences in the controls, heat distribution, and safety of the various designs and models, so don’t just buy the cheapest one you can find.

Before buying an electric space heater, think about how it will be used most often. This determines the best design and important features to consider. The basic design types are convection (fan), low-temperature radiant (oil-filled) and high-temperature focused radiant heaters.

To heat a large area, convection, baseboard, or tall oil-filled radiator-style electric heaters are effective. For smaller areas or a specific spot, a high-temperature radiant heater focuses the heat more effectively.

Within the basic types are many design variations and features. For enhanced safety around children, some of the newer convection models use either nonglow elements or ceramic elements. These reduce the chances of a burns or accidental igniting of a piece of paper in the heater.

Ceramic heating elements are unique in that they self-regulate the heat output. As the room temperature gets warmer, the resistance of the ceramic element increases so less electricity is used and less heat is produced. The newest ceramic heaters are programmable and use digital displays.

For the most precise temperature control in a room, select one of the new convection heaters with a temperature dial. Instead of the unit just switching on and off when the temperature setting is reached, it stays on but the heat output slows. This maintains more even room temperatures.

Quartz heaters use elements that glow red to radiate heat as the sun does to target a specific area. Some models also include a small quiet fan to gently circulation and mix the room air. Select one with a child-safe, snap-off grill to allow you to replace the bulbs or clean the reflectors.

Technically, all electric heating elements are 100 percent efficient, so do not let the packaging hype fool you. Check for these features: adjustable thermostat, several heat settings, automatic freeze guard, and timers.

Write for (or instantly download) Update Bulletin No. 706, buyer’s guide of ten electric space heater manufacturers listing design types, heat settings, thermostats, comfort and safety features, a savings chart, and safe usage tips. Please include $3.00 and a business-size SASE. James Dulley, Conscious Choice, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.

Dear Jim: I have read a lot about radiant floor and ceiling heating using electricity or hot water. I would like to install a radiant heating system for my patio to melt snow and make it dry faster after a rain. Will it work? — Ron T.

Dear Ron: Hot water radiant heat is often used under driveways to melt snow where applying salt is not an option. Using electric cable is also a possibility, but it is more expensive to use. Either way, heating the outdoors is not the best use for our energy supplies. Heating a concrete patio would be the same as a driveway. Without tearing up the patio or cutting grooves into it, there is not a simple method to install the radiant heat.

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