Do you use electric space heaters in the winter?

[caty]

I've always heard that electric heat cost more than gas heat. But, with the price of gas so high, I wonder if that still applies. Does it cost less to keep the thermostat turned down low while using electric space heaters in some rooms? Or, does it cost less to turn the thermostat up?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Wondering the same thing about electric versus gas.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

2. I do

I live in a big loft in Brooklyn.

If we ran the big gas heater to warm up the whole place all winter, it would be financially crippling.

So, I just have a small electric heater in my bedroom that I use when it's really cold out.

In my situation, it's much cheaper to use the little electric heater.

[nini]

5. same here.. doesn't make sense to heat a huge house

when it's only one room.

Plus, I have cathedral ceilings which make it even worse.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

14. Same here.

Our ceilings are about 12 feet high. And the insulation isn't the greatest either.

[Coventina]

3. If you do, DO NOT SLEEP WITH THEM ON!

I cannot stress this enough.

I watched my neighbor as she lay dying of burns and smoke inhalation almost exactly a year ago.

It was horrible.

[oneighty]

16. Hey Coventina

Do you have any details on the type of heater? For example exposed heating coils? Blower? Proper amperage on the circuit the heater was plugged into?

Granted ANY heating device can be dangerous.

PS I use a very small electric heater in my bed room--Until I go to bed. I am considering an electric blanket now.

180

[Coventina]

18. Dear Oneighty,

Unfortunately, I don't know what type of space heater it was.

She lived alone, (except for her parrot, who also died in the fire) and the fire department only told us it was caused by her electric space heater.

:cry:

[oneighty]

19. Poor lady.

It is true that space heaters of all types are potentially dangerous.

180

[Greyskye]

4. heating alternative

I have a couple of these units on order - I'm hoping that they'll arrive within the next few days so I can install them. Over in the frugal living forum they've received some good reviews.

www.eheat.com

[nini]

6. oooohhhhhhhh I'll have to check this out

Thanks!

[dajoki]

7. i read somewhere...

this winter electric will be most affordable heat.:shrug:

[Midlodemocrat]

8. I thought I had read that as well, but I can't remember where.

Thanks.

[dajoki]

15. me either...

but we can't both be wrong, can we?:hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. I have a small one under the desk in my office downstairs. It's a

lifesaver! :hi:

[Reciprocity]

10. From Choosing a Safe Space Heater

Oil and water filled units are the most efficient convection heaters. They utilize a heating element in a bath of oil or water. Like a water heater, the element cycles on and off. The water or oil stays warm in it's container and heats the surrounding air.
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/frugality/safespaceheater.htm

This is what I use in my house.

[lizziegrace]

11. I use one of those in my room

At night, the thermostat is set at 60 or below (same when I'm not home) The cats don't like it, but I can't afford to heat the place when I'm gone. I use the oil heater on the 900watt setting and set the thermostat at about 70. I keep it between the wall and the side of the bed I sleep on. It helps. It's turned off when I get up.

My electric bill has gone up about $10 a month, but natural gas would cost so much more. I'm also getting an electric blanket for Christmas. That may eliminate the need for the heater completely.

[Blue Diadem]

21. We use that type too.

They can keep a room quite toasty at minimal expense.

[Left_Winger]

22. This type of heater works great

Try it, you'll like it.

[underpants]

12. More than in the summer time yes

Sorry it needed to be said

[RumpusCat]

13. They're good for little old apartments

One space heater will make my living room quite toasty, and I have an electric blanket in bedroom so I don't need it in there. I live in North Jersey and the gas heat here gets pretty pricey during the winter, not to mention the fact that I'm renting a billion-year old drafty brownstone. Yes, the exposed brick is lovely, but I might as well be running the heat with the windows open, lol.

[Kashka-Kat]

23. Use them strategically

Good for heating up bathroom in the a.m. before you go to work rather than heating up whole house

That sort of thing.

Also-- THINK DOWN. The $100 I spent on a down comforter was the best thing EVER!! Besides making sleep in a 50 degree house possible, you can use it when lounging around in evening watching TV or whatever rather than heating up house.

[ThingsGottaChange]

17. More info here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=353x345

[dcfirefighter]

20. Efficiency of electric v. gas

While gas is probably 4x more efficient on a BTU/$ basis, you generally have to heat your whole house with gas v. only your current location with electric. If you are smart about it, and turn down the house thermostat, you could save money by using an electric heater to warm your immediate space. But, put on a sweater first.

[Kashka-Kat]

24. Use them strategically

Good for heating up bathroom in the a.m. before you go to work rather than heating up whole house

That sort of thing.

Also-- THINK DOWN. The $100 I spent on a down comforter was the best thing EVER!! Besides making sleep in a 50 degree house possible, you can use it when lounging around in evening watching TV or whatever rather than heating up house.

[Scout1071]

25. I have a heated mattress pad.

Kind of like an electric blanket, but it goes under the sheets and on top of the mattress. It is so much cozier and warmer than an electric blanket. Makes the bed feel like a really warm nest. Has adjustable settings for each side of the bed.

My old roommate would get out of her own bed and run in my room when she heard the shower start. She only did it on really cold days, but it always cracked me up to see her snuggled in my bed when I got out of the shower. I eventually bought her one for Christmas.

[caty]

26. I have one too!!

Love it. It heats up more where our feet our also. Great investment.

[ProfessorGAC]

27. We Use One For One Room

We have a rec room in the basement. But, the back wall of the house is exposed to the elements because we pull off the side street (we live on a corner) and park in our garage, which is under the house. So, the basement gets chilly. Also, we have cirulating hot water heat and there are only the delivery pipes, no baseboards in the basement.

I bought one of those fluid filled deals that looks like an old fashioned steam radiator. The fluid is a silicone oil, and it's completely sealed. Turn it on, and it can't get any hotter than the heat capacity of the oil allows. It's a nice gentle heat that warms that room up nicely. I never run it above the Low setting. (Maybe medium if it's 10 below, but we haven't had that since i bought it 2 years ago. We'll see.)

We haven't seen any appreciable change in our bill, since we're probably running it at only 400 watts or so.

I like it, especially since i spend 90% of my home time in that room. (Well, except for bedtime, unless i fall asleep on the couch, as i'm wont to do.)

I'd recommend it.
The Professor