Efficient Heating

Tango · #1 01/03/14, 09:31 AM

So if I stay here I will put in a wood stove this summer but first I have to get through this winter. The little oscillating Lasko 120v heater I was given isn't able to maintain a 70 degree temp when it drops below 30 outside and it looks like this winter will be a cold one. Its sized too small for the cabin. I need to buy a heater that can do the work efficiently and maintain a decent resale value so I can sell it after the season. Any suggestions?

ET1 SS · #2 01/03/14, 10:29 AM

One thing to keep in mind is that there can be a huge difference between efficient & economical . Electric heaters can be the most efficient & least economical way to heat .

Nimrod · #3 01/03/14, 10:36 AM

If you want electric heat;

Make sure that the heaters are on separate circuits. Each can be up to 1500 watts so 2 would be over 20 amps and overload even a new 20 amp circuit in good condition. Many older buildings have 15 amp circuits and the may not be in the best condition.

Be sure the heater is not on the same circuit as something that draws a lot of power like the microwave or you will blow the breaker.

All electric heaters have the same efficiency. One Kw of electricity produces the same BTUs of heat no matter how you do it. Don't spend big bucks for a heater like the Eden Pure. A $25 heater will put out as much heat.

For increased efficiency get a radiant heater. Point it at yourself and the heat will travel through the air as infrared light and warm you but not the air. One like this, http://www.menards.com/main/applianc...200-c-5617.htm

Propane heaters will require some sort of installation, even if it's only running a gas line. Never run a propane heater with the gas tank inside a building. A vented propane heater would be my next choice. It sends the products of combustion (CO2 and moisture) outside. An unvented propane heater can cause moisture problems in the house and I don't trust it to run efficiently enough to not cause CO2 problems.

Kerosene heaters have their own problems with smell and CO2 so I would use them as a last resort.

Jolly · #4 01/03/14, 10:55 AM

http://www.mrheater.com/ProductFamily.aspx?catid=41

Wouldn't run it at night.

simi-steading · #5 01/03/14, 11:16 AM

I've found that radiant oil heaters tend to hold rooms at a decent temperature... I've got several I pull out for colder rooms during the winter.

ronbre · #6 01/03/14, 11:23 AM

i would use a small wood circulator in a small cabin..or a wood cookstove of some sort that you could also cook on and heat water..check out Amish stoves..I know that there was a family in Evart Mi made some hum dingers back a while ago with huge fireboxes, ovens and burner areas..

Tango · #7 01/03/14, 03:51 PM

wood stove is what I wil get next year but theyare more expensive and require installation (I can;t do it myself) so I am looking at a cost efficient way to heat for just this winter. Propane is ridiculously expensive here, so that is out. I like the idea of an oil radiator but will have to price those and oil as well. I was looking for a plug and play heater basically. My cabin is newly wired and has dedicated circuits so I'm not really worried about draw. And it is quite small so heating hasn't been expensive at all; it is just that the heater I was given is too small for the space. And I wanted to know if there is a heater type that retains its resale value so I can sell it comes spring. Thanks for all of the suggestions and advice, ya'll

Raymond James · #8 01/03/14, 04:07 PM

For electric heaters I like the ones that use light bulbs to heat air and have a blower with built in thermostat.

I would get a kerosene heater and 15 gallons of kerosene as a back up for when you lose electrical power until you get your wood stove. Farm and Home type stores have them Tractor Supply, Orchelins perhaps Lowes/ Home depot . Leave it in the box until needed. Makes selling it easier.

fishhead · #9 01/03/14, 04:19 PM

I think when it comes to efficiency it's hard to beat insulation and sealing cracks with weatherstripping and caulking.

mmoetc · #10 01/03/14, 04:26 PM

You mention 70 degrees as your goal. Why? What temp is maintained? We keep our thermostat set at 62 and put on a extra pair of thermals and a sweatshirt. Next week's -30 low might require an extra blanket or two.

CountryCabin · #11 01/03/14, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

I like the idea of an oil radiator but will have to price those and oil as well. I was looking for a plug and play heater basically.

That oil radiant heater is 'plug n play'.
It's a sealed heater that has oil IN it...no need to add any.

There is two sizes that I know of..get the bigger one with more fins on it.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=oil%20radiator%20heater&gbv=2&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

simi-steading · #12 01/03/14, 05:04 PM

I do crazy things like pull out my propane torpedo heater when the power goes out and run it from my generator... heats up a couple rooms REAL fast, but you gotta be real smart about not getting it near anything that's gonna flame up..

fishhead · #13 01/03/14, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

I do crazy things like pull out my propane torpedo heater when the power goes out and run it from my generator... heats up a couple rooms REAL fast, but you gotta be real smart about not getting it near anything that's gonna flame up..

Have you ever checked the carbon monoxide level while you were running it?

We've already lost two young guys in MN to CO poisoning this winter.

simi-steading · #14 01/03/14, 05:21 PM

I've had a CO detector in my garage where I usually run it. Never had it go off.. It had been a worry for me, but since the detector doesn't alarm and since I only run it long enough to get the room tolerable I don't sweat it too much..

What has worried me is the natural gas heaters in the farm house.. radiant unvented heaters.. but they seem to burn a full enough combustion to also not be a worry. I'd imagine that's what's happening with the propane torpedo heaters.. a complete enough combustion to keep the CO levels low.

fordy · #15 01/03/14, 06:00 PM

.................The ceramic , 1500 watt electric heaters are very effective as long as your room is fairly tight ! They will pull about 10 amps each , but I'm not sure IF you could plug 2 of them into a 20 amp circuit . With ALL electric heaters you need to always feel of the plastic plugins..........IF , they feel VERY warm or hot then something isn't right , and they could possibly melt or catch on fire . Better safe than sorry ! , fordy

jwal10 · #16 01/03/14, 06:05 PM

IF you have room for a picture, these work very well. My DS has 2 in his 24'x24' cabin. 1 in main room, 1 in bedroom. All the electricity heats, no fan wasting power. The heat washes up the walls and circulates around the room. Very even heat, does not get cold and then a fan comes on blowing cold air around. Does not dry out the air either. You want the plug in model with a built in thermostat. (We hard wired his in when we built the cabin) Best to attach to wall 6" from floor for best efficiency. A good friend just got one for his 5th wheel trailer in this cold weather, mounted it on a little stand that he made from 3 boards as it is temporary. 5th wheel is just setting in an open shed. This met all specs for DSs heat source and met all county permits. You can leave it when you sell, as heat source already installed. Very easy, just 2 drive in plastic hangers and 2 screws, just like a heavy picture frame. If you have room for a picture you can install. DSs are hard wired and have a wall thermostat. Set this thermostat a little higher than the heater you have, this one will do most of the work and your heater will make up the difference IF needed....James

http://www.envi-heat.com/

**highlands** · #17 01/03/14, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

So if I stay here I will put in a wood stove this summer but first I have to get through this winter. The little oscillating Lasko 120v heater I was given isn't able to maintain a 70 degree temp when it drops below 30 outside and it looks like this winter will be a cold one. Its sized too small for the cabin. I need to buy a heater that can do the work efficiently and maintain a decent resale value so I can sell it after the season. Any suggestions?

One or two of those oil storage electric heaters should do the job well. That's about as efficient as it gets. I wouldn't resell it but put it away for the future. Resale value is nominal.

In the long run, start by minimizing the need for heat. Insulation around the building, tightly sealed, controlled air flow, solar gain and high thermal mass. Once you have taken care of that then you can do efficient heating. We use 0.75 cord of wood a year to heat our house. It's -22°F outside right now but comfortable inside.

bja105 · #18 01/03/14, 08:41 PM

I am a HVAC pro, and for emergencies and hard to heat rooms, I recommend the oil filled electric radiators. They have thermostats (which seem like control the oil temp, not the room) and three settings for how much power they draw. I have one in the garage for the cat and tractors, and one in my daughter's room. Hers has a built in timer that turns it off in the day.

The brand I have is DeLongi. The most expensive was $70. They are very safe. If they ti over they shut off. The fins don't get hot enough to hurt you or ignite anything. They are also quiet.

I second keeping it for emergencies.

You might have trouble finding a wood stove small enough to heat your little house and still hold a fire very long.

Belfrybat · #19 01/03/14, 09:25 PM

I use an oil filled radiator in a hard to heat room with a small 3" fan sitting behind it to disperse the heat better (the room is long and narrow). Works like a charm. I presently have both the heater and fan on a timer so it turns on about an hour before I get up so that room has the chill taken off. But I don't try to keep my house at 70 -- 64 is plenty warm enough with a sweater on.

Tango · #20 01/04/14, 05:24 AM

Thanks ya'll. I have some health issues currently and 70 degrees is one of my few luxuries. should add I have two pups right now that need to go out a lot. When they get a fence - it will be one less thing zapping the warm air out of the cabin. But the heater I have is for a smaller space. Looks like the oil-filled radiator is the solution though the envi looks like it would add to the resale value, its more than the budget will accomodate. I saw a lovely infrared frieplace looking heater that is gorgeous too! but the oil-filled radiator seems to meet all the requirements and costs very little. Grateful for all of the advice and help.