efficient space heater solution?

[Nintendesert]

Just save money on electricity and on buying a heater and simply get a Snuggie. It's stylish and warm.

 

[DrPizza]

And the other thing is that with the "always on" oil type is that it's not just heating up the air around you for a short time. It's also warming up the walls, floor, furniture, ect that in turn hold in the heat and keep the place warmer between reducing the number of heating cycles it has to do.

Here's the numbers:

a watt is a watt. It doesn't matter if it's from a coil, a ceramic heater, an oil based one, etc. A watt is the same amount of heat energy (per second) regardless.

If you're maintaining the room at a certain temperature, the number of on/off cycles isn't going to matter. Each heater is going to use just as many kw-hrs over a 24 hour period.

The difference between different heaters is how you feel around them - i.e. are they warming the entire room, or directing that warmth more toward you? The little heaters with the blower are perfect for under a desk to help keep your legs warm. Or, the infrared heaters are nice because they can "aim" the heat right at you and heat you by radiative heating, rather than convection.

The most economical solution is to use an electric throw or electric snuggie (or just a plain snuggie). I don't know off the top of my head, but I'm gonna guess they're less than 2 or 300 watts.

Also, (and some quick research will verify this), fires are very rare for electric blankets that are relatively new (5 years old or less) and undamaged.

Got a damaged electric blanket? THROW IT OUT. (should be a DUHHH!) It's 10 years old? THROW IT OUT.
And lastly, electric mattress pads > electric blankets.

 

[vi edit]

The difference between different heaters is how you feel around them - i.e. are they warming the entire room, or directing that warmth more toward you?

That's really what I'm trying to get at, practical costs vs theoretical. Which one costs more to keep you comfortable. That's what is great about radiant heat in floors. You can set the thermostat on those at like 65 degrees and because of how the heat feels under foot and evenly dispursed across the room you actually can run it lower temp than a conventional forced air system.

 

[qliveur]

Here's another vote for an oil-filled radiator. Note that they work best in a closed room.

 

[Modular]

I bought a honeywell oil filled electric radiator for an addition we have that is 16x16. It takes a bit to heat up fully (about an hour), but it retains heat well and doesn't seem to click on and off as often as other space heaters I use. It also seems to be more of a thorough heat rather than a small area with a warm spot. I can even shut the door to the room completely and heat it only with this, and it stays stable at whatever temp I put it at.

This is the one to get! I picked one up after buying my house last year and being concerned about gas costs. We ran the heat at 63-64 in the house when we were home and just ran one of these along with that in whatever room we were in. Electric bills were higher, but only by about $20 a month. The gas bill stayed really manageable with this method.

The thing heats up quickly and retains quite a bit of heat because of the oil in it.

 

[iGas]

The problem with most space heater is that the elements heat up to high temperature quickly that exacerbate the stratification effect, which translate to not as efficient as low temperature/high mass heating system.

The most effective method of heating a small space that isn't close in is radiant heater (or in floor heat source that is expensive to install).

 

[dullard]

I saw a bunch of oil heater recommendations. Plain and simple: they suck. They suck really bad, especially in a basement. I suffered with them for years at various work places with various oil heaters in various basements. All that an oil heater does is heat the air above it, that air rises to the ceiling, and then that hot air moves up the stairs. If the stairs are open, you won't ever heat your alcove the way you want to. And you'll never feel like you are being heated very fast. To get any effect, you have to turn it on hours before you get there which isn't probably what you want (although a timer with high current capability will help).

Radiant heaters suffer a similar problem. They will try to heat up the entire great room, very little of the energy will go to your alcove, and what is there will just go up the stairs.

No, there are two proper solutions.
1) Heat the people, not the air. An electric blanket would be in the $1-$10 range for electricity a year compared to $100+ on an oil heater or radiant heater.
2) A space heater with a fan. Cost is $10-$15. Point it right at you when you are in the room. Since you only run it while you are there and since you'll have to turn it off quickly, the running costs will also likely be in the $10 range per year. Drawback here is the fan noise may be bothersome for watching a movie.

Either way, you'll be sending most of the heat right to you, not to the rest of the room, and not much up the stairs. For years I kept my house at 50°F in cold Nebraska winters and kept myself nearly sweating with a fan based heater for under $1 a day.

Note for those who are picky, most of the air going up the stairs will heat the rest of your house, so it isn't necesarilly wasted heat or money. But it still doesn't heat your alcove if it goes up the stairs.

 

[iGas]

ah damn, we should try that. Had the Delonghi for two years now, haven't broken it out yet this year.

I imagine that is damn effective. but we also have a small gas heater in our wall that keeps us warm enough....sorta.

A rush of air past you tend to make you feel colder because it robs heat & moisture from your body. It is not a good design, unless the aim is to heat up the entire room.

 

[iGas]

I saw a bunch of oil heater recommendations. Plain and simple: they suck. They suck really bad, especially in a basement. I suffered with them for years at various work places with various oil heaters in various basements. All that an oil heater does is heat the air above it, that air rises to the ceiling, and then that hot air moves up the stairs. If the stairs are open, you won't ever heat your alcove the way you want to. And you'll never feel like you are being heated very fast. To get any effect, you have to turn it on hours before you get there which isn't probably what you want (although a timer with high current capability will help).

Radiant heaters suffer a similar problem. They will try to heat up the entire great room, very little of the energy will go to your alcove, and what is there will just go up the stairs.

No, there are two proper solutions.
1) Heat the people, not the air. An electric blanket would be in the $1-$10 range for electricity a year compared to $100+ on an oil heater or radiant heater.
2) A space heater with a fan. Cost is $10-$15. Point it right at you when you are in the room. Since you only run it while you are there and since you'll have to turn it off quickly, the running costs will also likely be in the $10 range per year. Drawback here is the fan noise may be bothersome for watching a movie.

Either way, you'll be sending most of the heat right to you, not to the rest of the room, and not much up the stairs.

Note for those who are picky, most of the air going up the stairs will heat the rest of your house, so it isn't necesarilly wasted heat or money. But it still doesn't heat your alcove if it goes up the stairs.

If that is the case, an extra sweater would be the cheapest solution.

 

[dullard]

If that is the case, an extra sweater would be the cheapest solution.

True, but they tend to not heat what you want (often the feet even when the feet are in wool socks and tucked in a blanket). Two seconds with a fan heater and your feet are hot. At least, the skin on your feet are, it takes a bit longer for it to conduct to the core of the toes.

 

[Zenmervolt]

No, there are two proper solutions.
1) Heat the people, not the air. An electric blanket would be in the $1-$10 range for electricity a year compared to $100+ on an oil heater or radiant heater.
2) A space heater with a fan. Cost is $10-$15. Point it right at you when you are in the room. Since you only run it while you are there and since you'll have to turn it off quickly, the running costs will also likely be in the $10 range per year. Drawback here is the fan noise may be bothersome for watching a movie.

You do realize that radiant heaters are perfectly suited to accomplish both 1 and 2, right?

1) Radiant heaters don't heat the air, that's not how radiant heat works. You're confusing radiant heaters with convection heaters. If you stand in front of a radiant heater, you get warm quickly, but the ambient temp in the room as a whole does not warm up much at all.

2) A radiant heater is ridiculously directional, vastly more so than a convection heater that uses a fan; it's much better suited to the sort of use you describe than any fan-based convection heater.

ZV

 

[Perknose]

Electric snuggies or throws. My wife has one & absolutely loves it. Keeps her warm.

I've never seen any credible report that there is any risk whatsoever of cancer from one. If you believe that - then it's up to you to describe by what action it's possible.

edit: I'll put it another way: any reports that the EMF has any cancer causing effect are pure rubbish. It's just nonsense.

I understand, which is why I used the term "I believe" and italicized "believe." I agree and know that no conclusive evidence has been found . . . as yet.

Nevertheless, the wording in your edit which I bolded, specifically "pure rubbish" and "just nonsense" materially overstates your position.

Here is what the National Cancer Institute, part of the US National Institutes of Health, has to say on the subject.

Overwhelmingly, the data supports your position, but I hope you'll agree that dead certainty is a moving target re: the long term effects of various factors on human health. Past certainties such as doctors prescribing cigarettes as a safe remedy for soothing patient's nerves in the 1950's and the widespread use of opiates for over the counter pain relief in the later 1800's and early 1900's have gone by the wayside, no?

The use of leeches was once de rigueur, then fell into laughable disrepute, and now is once again used in certain instances. I'm just saying, Doc.

Is there a link between magnetic field exposure at home and cancer in children? Numerous epidemiological (population) studies and comprehensive reviews have evaluated magnetic field exposure and risk of cancer in children (1, 2). Since the two most common cancers in children are leukemia and brain tumors, most of the research has focused on these two types. A study in 1979 pointed to a possible association between living near electric power lines and childhood leukemia (3). Among more recent studies, findings have been mixed. Some have found an association; others have not. These studies are discussed in the following paragraphs. Currently, researchers conclude that there is limited evidence that magnetic fields from power lines cause childhood leukemia, and that there is inadequate evidence that these magnetic fields cause other cancers in children (2). Researchers have not found a consistent relationship between magnetic fields from power lines or appliances and childhood brain tumors.
In one large study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Children’s Oncology Group, researchers measured magnetic fields directly in homes (4). This study found that children living in homes with high magnetic field levels did not have an increased risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The one exception may have been children living in homes that had fields greater than 0.4 microtesla (µT), a very high level that occurs in few residences. Another study conducted by NCI researchers reported that children living close to overhead power lines based on distance measurements were not at greater risk of leukemia (5).
To estimate more accurately the risks of leukemia in children from magnetic fields resulting from power lines, researchers pooled (combined) data from many studies. In one pooled study that combined nine well-conducted studies from several countries, including a study from the NCI, a twofold excess risk of childhood leukemia was associated with exposure to magnetic fields above 0.4 µT (6). In another pooled study that combined 15 studies, a similar increased risk was seen above 0.3 µT (7). It is difficult to determine if this level of risk represents a real increase or if it results from study bias. Such study bias can be related to the selection of study subjects or possibly to other factors that relate to levels of magnetic field exposure. If magnetic fields caused childhood leukemia, certain patterns would have been found such as increasing risk with increasing levels of magnetic field exposure.
Another way that people can be exposed to magnetic fields is from household electrical appliances. Several studies have investigated this relationship (2). Although magnetic fields near many electrical appliances are higher than near power lines, appliances contribute less to a person’s total exposure to magnetic fields. This is because most appliances are used only for short periods of time, and most are not used close to the body, whereas power lines are always emitting magnetic fields.
In a detailed evaluation, investigators from NCI and the Children’s Oncology Group examined whether the use of household electrical appliances by the mother while pregnant and later by the child increased the risk of childhood leukemia. Although some appliances were associated with childhood leukemia, researchers did not find any consistent pattern of increasing risk with increasing years of use or how often the appliance was used (8). A few other studies have reported mostly inconsistencies or no relation between appliances and risk of childhood cancer.
Occupational exposure of mothers to high levels of magnetic fields during pregnancy has been associated with childhood leukemia in a Canadian study (9). Similar studies need to be done in other populations to see if this is indeed the case.
Is there a link between magnetic field exposure in the home and cancer in adults? Although several studies have looked into the relationship of leukemia, brain tumors, and breast cancer in adults exposed to magnetic fields in the home, there are only a few large studies with long-term, magnetic field measurements. No consistent association between magnetic fields and leukemia or brain tumors has been established.
The majority of epidemiological studies have shown no relationship between breast cancer in women and magnetic fields from electrical appliances. Recent studies of breast cancer and magnetic fields in the home have included direct and indirect magnetic field measurements. These studies mostly found no association between breast cancer in females and magnetic fields from power lines or electric blankets (10, 11, 12, 13). A Norwegian study found a risk for exposure to magnetic fields in the home (14), and a study in African-American women found that use of electric bedding devices may increase breast cancer risk (15).

I have highlighted some lingering nuggets of doubt amongst the mainly positive data.

Though in the distinct minority, one would be a fool to dismiss them out of hand or label them "just nonsense."

It was once considered "just nonsense" that the Earth revolved around the Sun. Again, just saying.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

my room would be a good 10F cooler if it wasn't for my GTX470 SLI and i7 930 @ 4GHz

when it starts getting cold in my room that means its time to start playing some games...

 

[Wyndru]

Put a box fan behind it.. TRUST ME.. it's godly.

Haha, I actually did after I read your post last night, it does seem to move the heat around a lot quicker. Only problem is the fan I have is too loud, I might need to find a smaller quieter one.

 

[DrPizza]

I understand, which is why I used the term "I believe" and italicized "believe." I agree and know that no conclusive evidence has been found . . . as yet.

Nevertheless, the wording in your edit which I bolded, specifically "pure rubbish" and "just nonsense" materially overstates your position.

Here is what the National Cancer Institute, part of the US National Institutes of Health, has to say on the subject.

I'll stand by those words. It's nonsense. If I'm guessing which report they're referring to by the 1979 report, that was widely discredited as an example of what not to do. It was akin to randomly throwing darts at a dart board, realizing that here and there, there were some clusters of darts closer together than in other places, finding something in common with those places, and concluding the commonality was a cause. And, that initial report was the one that got all of the nonsense started.

Any doubt about this is akin to doubt that Einstein's Nobel Prize winning research and discoveries - discoveries which have only been confirmed to greater and greater levels of accuracy over the past century - are in doubt.

Further, these researchers keep looking at casual exposure in homes. How about people who, because of their occupation, have a much much higher exposure? They'd be dropping dead left and right if there was any risk whatsoever in the household from these magnetic fields.

If anyone wishes to say that "magnetic fields could do this" - then it's up to them to explain how. There is no known mechanism by which this would be even remotely possible. And, some of the stuff along these lines borders on absolutely ridiculous. i.e. cell phones and brain cancer. Anyone's lingering doubts on this cellphone-brain cancer "link" reflect how pathetic science education is in the US.

Now, science never makes a claim that it's 100% correct. However, the science on this is as certain as when I let go of a rock in the next 10 seconds, it's going to fall down, not up.

 

[tynopik]

electric resistive heat is very expensive

get kerosene instead

good info source: milesstair.com

 

[shortylickens]

electric resistive heat is very expensive

get kerosene instead

good info source: milesstair.com

I think those propane heaters would probably be good too.
They have many different sizes.

 

[kamikazekyle]

At once house we lived in there was only crappy electric baseboard heat. Very poor heating capabilities as each unit was small and simply used metal fins to heat the room (no oil or anything). While there, we used a kerosene heater. It could keep an entire half of the ~1400 sqft house warm with no problems. Put it in a single room, and it got HOT. Of course, this was also back when kerosene was just over a dollar a gallon.

In my current house, the garage was converted over to a living room, and an extension was added to the garage. This area accounts 1/3 the floor space, but at the same time only has three vents -- two of which are off the same run -- so it gets pretty bad heating and cooling. Not to mention I had to have all the ductwork redone when I bought the place.

The oil-based electric heaters are good to keep a room warm over a longer period of time. The heat ins't directional, however, so if you have a large open space or the room is open to other rooms, a lot of that heat is just going to dissipate and not effectively heat the room. I tried an oil heater for a while in the living room (converted garage area), and it made jack all difference. The space was too large and WAY too open.

Ceramic/quartz heaters (the ones with fans in them) are much better for directional heat. I had better results heating us on the couch with a ceramic heater than I did with the oil.

You can sorta convert one of the oil heaters to a directional heater by putting a fan behind it after it warms up. If the speed is slow enough, it can really help circulation.

Now, I use the oil to heat individual bedrooms/bathrooms that I'm planning on spending more than an hour in but are cooler than normal. Of course, the only parts of the house that really need supplimental heat on top of the heat pump are the big open areas, so I don't really use the oil heater much.

The best bet for the OP's situation is to use an electric blanket. It's great if you're not going to be moving around in the room as it applies heat directly to your forhe--er, body and uses so much less electricity.

 

[Rubycon]

electric resistive heat is very expensive

get kerosene instead

good info source: milesstair.com

Price out 1K "water clear" kerosene for you locale. Unless you're paying crazy rates ($0.30 /kWh etc) for 'lectric then no.

Additionally you have to fill 'em, wicks need maintenance and startup/shutdown (particularly the latter) can be VERY smelly. Ventilation is required (heat losses) as well.

Kerosene heaters are great to use in places with limited or no electric power. If you must burn fuel for heat a propane flameless heater would be better.

 

[Nintendesert]

I understand, which is why I used the term "I believe" and italicized "believe." I agree and know that no conclusive evidence has been found . . . as yet.

Nevertheless, the wording in your edit which I bolded, specifically "pure rubbish" and "just nonsense" materially overstates your position.

Here is what the National Cancer Institute, part of the US National Institutes of Health, has to say on the subject.

Overwhelmingly, the data supports your position, but I hope you'll agree that dead certainty is a moving target re: the long term effects of various factors on human health. Past certainties such as doctors prescribing cigarettes as a safe remedy for soothing patient's nerves in the 1950's and the widespread use of opiates for over the counter pain relief in the later 1800's and early 1900's have gone by the wayside, no?

The use of leeches was once de rigueur, then fell into laughable disrepute, and now is once again used in certain instances. I'm just saying, Doc.

I have highlighted some lingering nuggets of doubt amongst the mainly positive data.

Though in the distinct minority, one would be a fool to dismiss them out of hand or label them "just nonsense."

It was once considered "just nonsense" that the Earth revolved around the Sun. Again, just saying.

This kind of stuff is exactly why I'm going to build my new house to be a Faraday cage. There's no way in hell I'm letting any of that EMF into my life.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

maybe you should just get a large furry dog to cuddly up to, like a husky?