Space Heater Advice

[ThyTempest]

Hmmm...

What wattage do you use Connie? The one I am looking at can do 700, 800 or both together for 1500. Just crunching the numbers...1500 watts x just under 8 cents per kwh is about 65 bucks a month to run it 24/7.

The only thing I can think of to disprove this is the actual mechanism that the oil heaters use...full power for a while, then keep it constant using a lot less power?

Also, is the ranco really necessary to keep the temps constant or would tweaking the on-board controls be doable?

[littleindiangirl]

Well, its not running 24/7. Once it's up to temp, it shuts off because of the Ranco.

I'd have to go look at it....

[ThyTempest]

Sooo...you have yours set to max power, hooked to the ranco, using the ranco probe to set the ambient temp so that the thermostat/gauge on the unit is just completely ignored....I think?

[littleindiangirl]

It's a Kenwood, 1200 watt. Like I said, it's not running all the time. We have the windows covered in that plastic shrink film, fans running to circulate the heat back down, so it runs very minimally and stays steady around 82-83.

Yes exactly. It's turned ON (may be set on the unit itself to like 85 or so) and the ranco completely controls it.

[ThyTempest]

And no noticeable jump in your electric huh? Nice, how about a decrease on your normal heat bill for not doing that room? Also, just to be clear. The only decent way to go is with a dedicated thermo to control it (as opposed to the one on the unit itself)

[littleindiangirl]

And no noticeable jump in your electric huh? Nice, how about a decrease on your normal heat bill for not doing that room? Also, just to be clear. The only decent way to go is with a dedicated thermo to control it (as opposed to the one on the unit itself)

Yea, I recommend having a high quality thermostat to control it. I've read one too many horror stories about lost collections.

And no, no noticeable jump. I mean, I always expect a jump in winter because, well, its winter and the furnace runs all the time.

We also have a programmable thermostat for our house, it keeps it at 63 during the day, so the room HAS to be heated and controlled seperately.

Nope, it seems our bills are all accounted for. But like I said, considerably more expensive in the winter, but that could be due to a crappy insulation job and other crappy things about this house in regards to heating.

[ThyTempest]

Thanks Connie. We are thinking of doing pretty much the same. We are moving to a new place in June. If it does not have a programmable thermostat we are going to put one in.

All in all, you think it has saved you money to use the space heater? Or maybe the same amount but get the added bonus of having a good temp for the collection?

[littleindiangirl]

I mean, I wouldnt be spending the money if I didn't have snakes, so you kinda have to think about that. LOL. We didnt do it for money saving, but for environment purposes for the animals.