Using a space heater?

**MommyinTX** · 11-25-2007, 02:49 PM

Hi, I'm new and just posted an intro. We live in Texas, so don't have a lot of frigid cold, but do use our heat as needed. I'm wondering if it is cost effective to use a space heater for a shot of heat. For example, today it is 40 degrees outside and 66 in the house. Most of the family is gathered for a movie, so is it better to warm that room a bit with a 1500 watt space heater, or just turn on the central gas furnace for a while??

Thanks,
Becky

**LexTysMommy** · 11-25-2007, 05:36 PM

Well I live in Wisconsin. So much different here. I would say for you...just get some blankets and no space heater or gas heat on. Here at night and on weekends I set heat at 64/65. We wear 2 pair socks and sweatshirts. Blankets if we sitting down.

It will warm up the next day in Texas...so no real need for burst of heat! LOL. But I would say space heater in room you guys are in if you NEED to!

Welcome!

**dolphin** · 11-25-2007, 05:36 PM

Welcome! I'm not expert on this. Space heater companies advertise that you can heat for pennies a day. I think it just depends on your actual electric companies heating costs per kwh. I think it would be more cost effective to heat your whole house with the central heat when you have children who need to keep warm. If you are single and just need one room or a garage warmed for a short time then go for the space heater.

Space heaters are notorious for starting house fires and depending on your kwph costs can be expensive.

My Mom and Dad have central heat but yet because of my dad's health have to keep a space heater going even during the summer so I guess it all depends on your situation.

The best way to tell is by trial and error.

**HappyMama** · 11-25-2007, 05:48 PM

Hi Becky!

I am new to the forum but not to being frugal....LOL.

I have an older Victorian brick home that is over 3000 sq ft. I did an experiment last year like the Japanese do and lower the heat of my home to 65 during day 60 at night and used an efficient space heater. It saved me over 600.00 in heating costs for the winter. Bear in mind I have high ceilings etc. It heated the room to over 70 and was toasty. When I saw the same model on sale at the end of season I bought another one and this year use both. Works great . It is a vornado but only buy them new as some older models had a fire hazard recall. It was not cheap for the first one I got as it is very energy efficent price wise but was well worth it to me and not paying for heating the whole house when we are only in a few rooms.

Hope this helps.

**dolphin** · 11-25-2007, 06:05 PM

Welcome to the Village MommyinTX! Great Post! Thanks for the great info.

**dolphin** · 11-25-2007, 06:15 PM

Hello and welcome to the Village HappyMama! Yes, I think my parents got the Vornado. Very good machine! Thanks for all the info on your experiment.

We only use space heaters in the garage and when our electric heating is out. We can't stand to be cold so days are set as high as 74 here during the day and 68 during the night. We live in the desert and have become accustomed to being warm.

**Nightshade** · 11-26-2007, 12:44 PM

Good info on space heaters can be found here......

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/05/05nov28a.cfm

Now let's hope the mod leaves the link up instead of taking it
down as has happend in the past.

**HappyMama** · 11-26-2007, 12:48 PM

Thank you very much for the welcome Carolyn. This seems like such a great board , I know I will enjoy being here.

**EnergyBoomer** · 11-29-2007, 08:28 PM

Heating one room up to a comfortable temperature with an electric space heater. Cost less than heating the whole house to the warmer temp even if you use natural gas for your central heat.

Electric cost more but by "spot heating" with it you save more on the rest of a larger area.

The less area you heat up warm the lower the over all cost.

Birney Summers
Energy Boomer

**HappyMama** · 11-29-2007, 08:55 PM

Thanks Energy Boomer!

Angel

**JessicaP** · 11-29-2007, 10:17 PM

Wow, I am in Ohio and it is pretty cold here now and our heat stays on 62 degrees all day and night. We just dress really warm. I have a 2 year old and she is fine with it too. We layer our clothes and use blankets and heating pads (to warm my tootsies).

We have propane and it is WAY to expensive to keep our heat up high.