Energy Wise Tip: December, 2009
EnergyWise Tip: Beware of Space Heater Promises
You may have seen advertisements in the magazine section of your Sunday newspaper for "miracle heaters" that claim you can save up to 50 percent on your heating bill. Just purchase one (or more) of these technological marvels, the advertisement trumpets, and you will never be cold again.
Before you rush to buy, however, you should look a little closer at the miracle heater's claim. The ad's fine print clearly states the way to reduce your heating bill is to set the thermostat in your house to as low as 50 degrees and move the space heater from room to room. In this case, savings do not come from operating the heater, but because you turned down the thermostat to 50 degrees.
Customers, who don't lower their thermostats, can actually spend more heating their home!
The practice of using space heaters to warm individual rooms is known as zone heating. If used correctly, it can provide one of two benefits. From a cost savings standpoint, if you are consistent in turning down your main system's thermostat and use the space heater to heat just the room(s) you use, you can save money. The second benefit is from a comfort standpoint. If you have areas of your home that are hard to heat, using a space heater will make them more comfortable, but this will cost you a little more for the additional heat.
Bottom line, heating parts of your home with a portable heater is seldom the cure-all the catchy advertisements would have you believe. A portable heater can improve comfort for hard to heat areas, but using one doesn't guarantee you will save in heating costs. Instead, most homes will receive greater benefit from money spent on insulation, weather stripping, servicing your heating
and cooling equipment, changing filters, installing compact fluorescent lamps, using programmable thermostats, purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances or setting back the temperature setting on your thermostat when you're not at home.
These common things will help reduce the amount of heat or cooling your home needs or consume less energy performing the same work. Source: Consumer Reports Home and Garden Blog.
For more information on steps homeowners can take to improve the efficiency of their homes, contact Southern Power District, or visit the ENERGY STAR® Home Advisor.
