Space heaters can provide comfort and
savings, or they can be costly and dangerous.
If you want a space heater to save money on
your electric bill, you need to use it correctly or you’ll end up spending
more money instead.
Space heaters heat a small space. So to save
money, turn the thermostat of your central heating system down considerable (as
low as 50 degrees.) Place the space heater in a room occupied by people and
close off the rest of the house.
Space heaters cannot replace efficient
central heating or weatherization improvements. All electric space heaters
produce 1 unit of heat for every 1 unit of electricity consumed, meaning they
are 100 percent efficient. In comparison, geothermal heat pumps can produce more
than 3 units of heat for every unit of electricity , making them 300 percent
efficient.
Three main types of space heaters are
available:
Radiant
Heaters heat objects and people –
not the air. They are best used where the person who wants to be warmed can be
in direct sight of the heater. Radiant heaters can be a good choice if you want
instant heat for a short time. They can pose a burn or fire risk and should not
be near furniture, drapery, pets or children.
Convection
Heaters heat the air. Hot air from
the convection heater rises to the ceiling and forces cooler air to the floor,
creating a cycle. They are generally warm to the touch and compared to a radiant
heater, have a decreased fire and burn risk.
Combination
Heaters bring radiant and convection
heaters into one package. These heaters are versatile and more common, although
do not typically perform as well as a radiant or convection heater.