Are space heaters a smart way to trim energy costs?
Although snow is still scarce, winter, along with rising heating bills, is definitely here. Can portable space heaters help you save some money, or are the claims just a lot of hype?
Although once notorious as energy hogs, today’s options include more energy efficient models. But it still depends on how you use them, experts say.
If your heater is equipped with a good thermostat and you don’t heat the room to a warmer-than-normal temperature, it seems you can probably save money by using one in a room you’re in and keeping the rest of the house a bit chillier.
But it all depends. The truth is that electrical heat is almost always the most expensive route overall but warming up one room in big house is a different matter.
Most Canadians heat their homes with natural gas, which has been trending down for some time now, whereas electricity costs have been on the upswing. If your home heating system runs on electricity anyway, this might not be so much of a factor, however.
*Bing: The best way to cut home heating costs?
If you were to use an electric space heater to warm one room to your comfort zone and lower the temperature in the rest of the house, the amount you'd save would depend on the room size relative to the rest of the house, how well separated the room is from others in your home, and how much you use your space heater.
Click here for some useful comparative data.
Remember, on average and depending where you live, electricity can be twice as expensive as natural gas for the same amount of heating although time-of-use arrangements can make a difference.
What's your preferred solution? Have you used space heaters as an effective heating supplement? Or do you have a better idea to share?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: John | Nov 21, 2021 7:04:57 PM
I have 3 fireplaces. I burn wood, which I get for free.
Posted by: Ray Lockhart | Nov 21, 2021 10:03:47 PM
Oil filled, "radiator-style" space heaters are very efficient and cost effective. I have several and run them on low which makes the room toastie warm. Much cheaper than my individual-room, electric heat system. Purchase one with a timer. Have it turn on at an appropriate time, like an hour before you shower and off when you're done in the bathroom.
Posted by: Email List Broker | Nov 22, 2021 6:26:42 AM
Better to have some fire near places so that it keeps warm.
Posted by: Trixie | Nov 22, 2021 8:36:28 AM
I have 2 old space heaters (around 20 years old) and 2 new space heaters (around 5 years old). However, when all was said and done I still bought a high efficiency gas furnace that still works better than any of the space heaters.
Posted by: Tony Eccles | Nov 22, 2021 9:53:27 AM
All electrical heaters are 100% efficient. There is no difference whether they are oil filled, baseboard, convection etc. Every watt of electricity they consume shows up as heat. Differences in effectiveness can result from the different ways the heat is distributed and by selectively heating occupied areas of a house. Sorry, there is no free lunch when it comes to efficiency.
Posted by: sjrw11 | Nov 22, 2021 10:23:00 AM
I don't like portable heaters because of the increased fire hazard. I have effectively used programmable thermostats in each room we use. The two spare bedrooms are only used for visitors that come evry 2 weeks for one night. These rooms we keep closed off with minimum heat, the rest of the time.
We have just installed a mini-split heat pump in the living area. With an average COP of 3, this will save a signifigant amount of electricity. Whether it will be a financial success is still to be seen, but the comfort level is signifigantly improved with some air moving. It is so quiet it is hard to believe.
Posted by: Paul | Nov 22, 2021 1:53:50 PM
For a very energy efficient heating alternative I would recommend Econoheat panels. Very easy to install by yourself (they plug into any regular electrical wall outlet), very effective, and very energy efficient (can cut electrical home heating costs from between 50 - 75 % compared to baseboard heating). I have purchased several of these heaters with programmable thermostats and have noticed a dramatic decrease in my home heating costs. More information on these panels is available online at Econo-heat.ca
Posted by: KARL V | Nov 22, 2021 4:38:47 PM
WOW PEOPLE HAVE NO BOTTOM LINE FACTS .... SPACE HEATER ELECT ONLY 4 TEMPORALY TOP UP A ROOM INFARE RED BETTER 4 COLD GARAGE SO YOU CAN FEEL HEAT RIGHT AWAY ONLY SHORT TERM GAS IS AWAYS THE CHEAPEST BY FAR..... ALL ELECTRIC HEATER ARE SO CLOSE ON EFFIECENTCY THE MAIN THING IS NEVER SPEND MORE THAN 40 -50 DOLLAR WATCH OUT 4 UNIT MARKETED AS FURNACES OR DISON NEW 500 DOLLAR UNIT THEY ALL JUST HEAT AIR U WILL NEVER RECOPE COSTOF PREMIUM UNIT ..... BEWARE OF GREAT ADDS AND MARKETING
Posted by: james | Nov 22, 2021 4:56:57 PM
The infrared comfort funace works very well.I use my gas fireplace for the family room unfortunately it heats the whole downstairs and keeps the main furnace from going on,the infrared heats the upstairs which is about 12oo sq ft and only cost about $1,00 a day..
Posted by: james | Nov 22, 2021 6:09:43 PM
The comfort furnace heats really well. will do over 1000 square feet for pennies a day. I have a Dimplex electric fireplace that costs me 7 cents an hour to run. I put it on in the evenings for a few hours it takes the chill off and costs me about 25 cents a day to run.
Posted by: Didn't run but left at a good pace | Nov 22, 2021 6:42:04 PM
I use 2 small space heaters and it heats up the room ( 600 s.f) nicely. It is cheaper to use than the 15 year old natural gas furnace.
Posted by: GWC | Nov 22, 2021 8:56:01 PM
I take exception to the comment that most Canadians heat their homes with natural gas.
I live in Nova Scotia just outside of Halifax and do not have mains water or sewer let alone natual gas.
I have to heat with electricity, oil and wood.
Posted by: David | Nov 27, 2021 12:46:39 PM
Check out Empire as I have installed 2 DV 215 15000 btu (DIRECT VENT) PROPANE HEATERS. They
are also available in 25000 and 35.000 BTU . I took my home OFF of natural gas and went high efficiency Propane. Now you can get tanks that are installed in the ground so you don't see them. After
paying in 1 year over $1200 in pipe charges regulatory fees and god only knows what else , you can
buy a lot of propane for that!! Propane fluctuates so the trick is to have a big enough tank to buy it
when the price is down ! Propane also has more BTU'"s for the money. My supplier calls me to inform me that the price is down and to fill now if I need it!! When is the last time your natural gas supplier did that. Buy your own tanks , that way you are free to purchase your propane from anybody !!! that keeps them in line when you own your tanks. They will try to discourage you from buying your own tanks, its a trick !! buy them , tanks over 500 gallons are rated for 5o years !!!! Cheers.