With gas prices so high....

[Jon99]

Can a person save a little money by getting an electrical heater of some sort???

 

[poohandwendy]

Hmm, I dunno. Electric space heaters consume a ton of electricity. I am not sure that in comparison, they would come out as less expensive.

 

[Michie]

Be sure if you use one, and you use an extension cord with them, to check on the box to see if it requires a special kind.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would say if you use one to lower natural gas costs, it would be, at best, a wash, most likely more expensive. If you use one to heat a cold room, then fine, but not going to be less costly.

 

[poohandwendy]

Honestly, the best thing you can do is try to eliminate drafts and insulate. Your home will not only cost less to heat, but also feel more warm/cozy too. Also, a digital thermostat is a good idea because you can set it to lower when you are sleeping, which most people find more comfortable anyways. JMHO

 

[Serena]

There are a couple things you may be able to do, if you haven't already. Like putting more insulation in your attic, and putting plastic on your windows.
How old is your furnace? It's possible that a new furnace may save you money too.
Block off unused rooms if you have any.

I've heard of too many disasters caused by space heaters. I don't trust them.

 

[poohandwendy]

I've heard of too many disasters caused by space heaters. I don't trust them.

Anotehr good point. Not a winter goes by here without a few reports of deadly fires due to space heaters.

 

[Charade]

you should be able to get an approximate cost by getting the cost/kwh from your utility bill and then determine how much electricity the heater uses (alot!) and how long you think you'll use it.

IOW

total cost = heater electricity consumption(1000 watts, 1500 watts, etc) TIMES electricity cost (per KWH) TIMES the number of hours in use.

Example:

a heater that uses 1500 watts of electricity uses 1.5 KWH in one hour of continuous use. If your electricity costs 10 cents per KWH and you run it for 5 hours a night for 30 days, the cost will be

1.5 X .10 X 5 X 30 = $22.50

 

[Charade]

http://www.super-grow.biz/Electricity.jsp

here's a calculator

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We've started using one to heat a cold bedroom before my boys go to bed. We turn it off at that point because I worry about it being on when they are sleeping and once they're under their covers and have gotten warmed up they sleep fine.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I always do this. I am a frugal person by nature and only run the heat when it is brutal. I keep a space heater in the bedroom and run it while I am on the computer. When it is time for us to go to bed.....the room is a toasty 70 degrees.

This works for us and the electric bill is always very low....about 115.00/month during the winter. I don't know if it is so low b/c we live in a well-insulated house or what.

ETA: We always cut the heater off before we go to bed.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

you should be able to get an approximate cost by getting the cost/kwh from your utility bill and then determine how much electricity the heater uses (alot!) and how long you think you'll use it.

IOW

total cost = heater electricity consumption(1000 watts, 1500 watts, etc) TIMES electricity cost (per KWH) TIMES the number of hours in use.

Example:

a heater that uses 1500 watts of electricity uses 1.5 KWH in one hour of continuous use. If your electricity costs 10 cents per KWH and you run it for 5 hours a night for 30 days, the cost will be

1.5 X .10 X 5 X 30 = $22.50

Glad you added that calculator--you should have seen my eyes glaze over when I saw this post!