Quartz heaters?

[Horseyrider]

DH and I are in the process of doubling our solar panels, so we should end up producing about 130% of our present electrical use. We are considering using that extra 30% on quartz heat, to reduce our use of propane.

I've looked around, and it seems there are two kinds-- those that are used inside, and those that are used outside. The ones that are used inside are in big ugly cheap looking wood cabinetry. The ones that are used outside seem to be mostly metal, look sort of like lamps, and are not of a style that's consistent with our Civil War-era house and furnishings. And would they be inappropriate safety-wise to use indoors?

I don't care either for the industrial looking bar ones that wall mount. Call me fussy, but it seems like they stand out like Lucite jewelry on a Gibson girl.

Does anyone know of a place that makes better ones? I'm sort of comparing these (so far imaginary) better ones to the use of Aladdin kerosene lamps to the standard wicks. They're just a step up in quality and performance.

Ideas? Sources? Or is something else better than quartz heaters for this job?

[Nimrod]

You would need a really big solar system to run an electric heater. It will cost way more than just burning propane. Why don't you get a wood stove that matches your decor. This is the most bang for your buck and there is no heat as comfortable as wood heat.

Quartz heaters heat by radiant heat. They don't warm the air directly. They put out infared that heats any object it hits. You have to have it shining on you for it to warm you up.

Don't be scammed into buying one of those heaters that claim to lower your bill a lot. They come in a nice wood cube and cost four to five hundred dollars. They can't put out any more heat than the $80 ones at the big box stores. A law of physics; X amount of electricity can be converted to only Y amount of heat. It doesn't matter how fancy the box is.

[hippygirl]

My mother (in here ongoing effort to stop us from using wood heat) gave us one of those high-dollar ones that look like a cube (EdenPure Gen4)...didn't heat the space no where NEAR as good as the $40 unit we got from Home Depot about 10-11 years ago.

I gave it back to her.

[Jim-mi]

I use a Edan Pure heater. It is in a black 'cube'
I use it as a dump load on sunny or windy days.
I am far more interested in the warmth than the esthetic's. It does a good job.
Be aware they come in 750 and 1500 watt units. I use the 750 watt
A lot more 1500 unit's are sold to the un-savy peoples who think it is great---until they see their electric bill.
The 750watt unit works better for my system.

A Civil War era home---Modern Photovoltaic Panels---and your concerned about the esthetics of a little black box . . . . . . .interesting...

[Harry Chickpea]

Originally Posted by Horseyrider

DH and I are in the process of doubling our solar panels, so we should end up producing about 130% of our present electrical use. We are considering using that extra 30% on quartz heat, to reduce our use of propane.

I've looked around, and it seems there are two kinds-- those that are used inside, and those that are used outside. The ones that are used inside are in big ugly cheap looking wood cabinetry. The ones that are used outside seem to be mostly metal, look sort of like lamps, and are not of a style that's consistent with our Civil War-era house and furnishings. And would they be inappropriate safety-wise to use indoors?

I don't care either for the industrial looking bar ones that wall mount. Call me fussy, but it seems like they stand out like Lucite jewelry on a Gibson girl.

Does anyone know of a place that makes better ones? I'm sort of comparing these (so far imaginary) better ones to the use of Aladdin kerosene lamps to the standard wicks. They're just a step up in quality and performance.

Ideas? Sources? Or is something else better than quartz heaters for this job?

<sigh> I find the number of times this has to be repeated discouraging. Electric resistance heat has an efficiency rating of ONE. It makes no difference if it is quartz heat, eden pure, a light bulb, or what. They ALL have EXACTLY the same efficiency. Anyone who tells you differently is uninformed about the basic laws of physics, has been taken in by marketing hype, or is an out-and-out liar and cheat trying to sell you something expensive. I rarely use absolutes in a post, but that is an absolute.

So - as a power dump - a more logical solution is to get an electric water heater and dump the excess there. That way the heat can be stored to evening and moved out through baseboard or other type of hydronic heat. Using a quartz heater while the sun is shining makes much less sense.

[Horseyrider]

I already have an electric water heater. Everything here is electric except the furnace.

Jim-mi, the panels are out in a pasture behind the corncrib. I don't have to see them, and they're not in my livingroom. I made sure our sound system in the livingroom was a Bose so I could place the five tiny speakers and the bigger bass box behind furniture and under plants so I wouldn't have to see them. I don't like that juxtaposition of ultra-modern and traditional or antiques. It just looks weird to me.

So if the quartz heaters aren't that slick for spot heat, is there something else I need to see? I don't think wood will work upstairs, although we do use *some* wood downstairs. We live on the prairie though and wood is not really plentiful.

We are grid-tied and can bank a surplus with our utility company, so I'm not that worried about the amount used at any given moment, just the average over the year.

[dirtman]

Eden Pure. The worst money I ever spent. I had heard people rave about them, but my 1500 watt would at best get a 12X12 room with the door shut up to about 70 degrees in a very well insulated house. Then they must of spent at least a hundred dollars sending me packets of come on information to buy another one.

[Horseyrider]

Hmmm, from what I'm seeing and hearing, I'm likely to have to live with *cough!* ugly. I can't seem to find anything that doesn't look overly modern or without a cheesy wood finish.

So a couple of you say Eden Pure is not going to make me happy. Okay, I'll cross those off the list.

I may just be better off going to a big box store and choosing something small and discreet. (And ugly.... *sigh*) I don't mind paying more for something if there's good value; but it often seems that paying more guarantees nothing more than a bigger hole in my checkbook.

A few years ago I wanted to buy a fan for my familyroom . A pretty fan. I found one at a home decorating place and it's a beauty. It blends right in with my old antiques but since it's currently made, it's safe to run. I googled retro heaters and got nothing so nice as my fan. You'd think someone would make them.

[Nimrod]

If you are bound and determined to do electric heat, these do as well as anything. http://www.menards.com/main/applianc...836-c-5617.htm
It is very important to get one with tip over shut off and overheat shutoff. They do have a fan so they make a bit of noise but blow the heat around. They are small so you can hide it.

Another possibility is the oil filled radiator. http://www.menards.com/main/applianc...489-c-5617.htm
Maybe you can fit one in. They are quiet and keep heating for a bit after you turn them off because the oil is heated. No fan so they don't move the heat around.

[SolarGary]

Hi,
A good and very efficient way to use excess solar electricity is a mini-split heat pump.

The ones from Mitsubishi have a COP of about 3, meaning they produce three units of heat for each 1 unit of electricity they use -- compared to electric resistance heaters that produce 1 unit of heat for each 1 unit of electricity used (quartz or not).

They are also very efficient air conditioners (SEER 22 ish).

One example: http://acfactorystore.com/heating_ai...20pump%20units

Gary

[Cabin Fever]

Just google electric wood stove and you'll find many heaters that run on 120v that look like a woodburning stove. I suppose it is portable as it weighs about 20 pounds.

Here's a $65 example:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...FelAMgodWm0AQg

[Horseyrider]

Cabin Fever, I really like the look of that stove. But I have nowhere to put it! Furniture wise, our house is pretty full. It'd look fine in the familyroom but we already have a wood burning fireplace, which we love, and not much room. Can you believe this old house has a familyroom with five doors in it??? Our livingroom is dressy with mahogany, cut glass and marble, and not an inch of wallspace left. Two doors and four low windows take care of a lot of it. My bedroom might be able to take it, and it's a cold room in the winter; but wouldn't it look odd without a hearth? Even one that isn't functional? That room has wall to wall carpeting.

SolarGary, DH is intrigued with your suggestion and asked me to send a link to him. It sounds very interesting. Terrific food for thought!

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied. I so appreciate your willingness to take the time to post ideas. I hope to be able to return the favor sometime.

[o&itw]

Since electic heat is electric heat... Your selection is totaly determined by the size and ascetics involved as far as you are concerned. One thing isn't more effecient than another. Simply get what you like.