Comments on: How to use energy efficient space heaters to save energy & money

By: Johanna

Johanna — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:01:44 +0000

Hi. Just got around to reading this post. I enjoy your blog, and missed it when y’all were missing for a couple of months.

Some things in this post I agree with, but I can’t agree with the oil-filled space heaters vs radiant fan-forced space heaters.

I live in an elderly mobile home in Texas that I’m repairing as I can.

In the winter of ’06-’07, I used exclusively oil-filled heaters. I was gone 16-18 hours per day and had no pets, so the place was unheated daily during that time. When home, I only heated a 12′ x 16′ space using 2 heaters. Even wearing multiple layers, hats, coats, etc. my highest electric bill was $141.00 US.

I didn’t live there for two years afterward. I did install insulated skirting, but I can’t say that made the difference. Read on…

In ’09-’10, I realized that the radiant heater I’d only used when bathing did a better job of making the original space comfortable, so I switched. I heated a 12′ x 41′ space using 2-3 radiant heaters and now have a small dog, so I never completely shut off the heaters unless the weather allowed. I also was comfortable enough that I could go without the coat, and could wear a shawl with a heavy long-sleeve shirt or sweatshirt and long-johns under jeans. Both winters I had two multi-day freezes (remember, it’s central Texas), and my highest electric bill was $139.00 US.

Not a very scientific study. However, I have to conclude that the heaters made more difference than the skirting installation. The improvement in my quality of life? Wait for it… priceless.

Please keep up what you’re doing, I’ll get there someday.

By: Mr.Dirty Boots

Mr.Dirty Boots — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:58:14 +0000

Almostgotit,

Ah ha, I have to disagree. According to a very reliable source, actually it was a comedy show yesterday, that is a myth. If you exposed your bum to the cold air you would lose more than if you exposed your head, just about surface area.

At least that is what the very intellectual comedian said yesterday

It’s going to be more layers for us for a while now as, gasp, we are running low on firewood for the estufa.

By: Arafat Hossain Piyada

Arafat Hossain Piyada — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:51:57 +0000

This is really a very effective article even though I live in India, I still think this is a great idea because it actually save energy. Everyone should forward their hand on saving energy no matter they have the money to pay the bill or not.

By: Almostgotit

Almostgotit — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:05:27 +0000

Radiant heaters are very nice… they don’t heat space, they heat objects (including us. And radiant heat really feels good, too…) And of course, at the risk of being obvious (but we Americans can be a little dense sometimes) *wear more clothes in the house when it’s cold!* For indoors, I’ve found that thick bulky layers can get in the way of working at my desk or in the kitchen, so I’ve discovered that sleeveless vests (wool, or even goose down) are lovely layers to wear instead. And my husband (raised in cold Wyoming) will even wear a hat indoors sometimes (50% of heat loss is through the head!)

By: james@ebikes today

james@ebikes today — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:38:00 +0000

My home in the past has been primarily heated through a furnace run on propane. If you have checked out the price of propane lately you would understand the reason that we went to radiant electric heat.

By doing this we have been able to better control the heat of our home in areas that we live, without heating the rooms that we don’t.

As you stated, our energy costs have greatly decreased and our comfort has greatly increased. We also eliminated the fear of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Thank you for the cost saving and informative article. Although all costs of energy are going up, electricity is still very efficient when used properly.