OT electric space heaters

Leslie& The Furbabies in MO. wrote:
I like a cool bedroom but not a chilly bathroom. Is there a rating
system for small electric space heaters (bathroom is about 12 ft. X 9
ft.) that rates how energy efficient they are? Is one type of electric
heater more energy efficient than another? (This is for USA heaters
and use, of course.)

I am in the UK, but similar products may well be available in the US.
My parents have electric downflow fan heaters in their bathrooms. Much
like these:

http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/d...-downflow.html

They are designed to be run when you need to use the room and the driven
warm air heats the room quickly and can be turned off afterwards. When
visiting them in the winter it is nice to be able to stand in the warm
airflow while getting dressed, so if you go with this solution I would
recommend placement where you can stand in the warm air stream.

Lizzy

Any ideas, Doc?

Kay beat me to most of them. It's a little like choosing a computer;
you need to match the machine to your needs/what you want to do with
it, or what you want it to do for you. Sorry, but "(I HATE getting
out of a warm shower or bath and facing a chilly bathroom. Ugh.)"
isn't going to do.

I wish I could just tell you, "Get a Heatcranker 3000 - they're
great!" but I can't. It's difficult to figure out what's right for
you, not being you.

This is a problem that's worth taking time to think about, looking at
a lot of options, and thinking some more. It's not because of the
investment; it's to get the right thing to do the job for you and be
happy with it for a long time. Are there any upcoming home
improvement shows (not TV - the kind they hold in convention centers,
fairgrounds, etc.) in your area? That, in addition to checking out
all the big-box home improvement stores you can, will let you get a
feel for these different units. See them, read the box/literature...
Getting feedback from people... meh. Nobody has exactly the same
room, requirements (heating and personal) as you, so they're not
always ideal. I'm a creature of bathroom comfort myself, and knowing
what I do about this stuff, I'd still do the above for most every
situation, because they're all different, and I want my bathroom the
way I want it too. The older I get, the more time I spend in there.

unvented propane fireplace

That concerns me. Is that even legal where you are? In theory,
propane burns clean - carbon dioxide + water. But theory is seldom
the real world, and in the case of incomplete combustion or other
variables, you can get carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon.
Bad outcome waiting to happen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane..._and_reactions

Doc

On Oct 14, 10:51*pm, "Leslie& The Furbabies in MO."
wrote:
Oh goodness- this opens a whole can of worms. *:-/ * The master suite is a
13 X 50 single story addition with 8 ft. ceilings built perpendicular to a
90 y.o. long, narrow two story house with 10 ft. ceilings downstairs and 8
ft. ceilings upstairs. *There are two large heat pumps and a second propane
fireplace in the main part of the house- one heat pump for the upstairs
(upstairs heat pump and bedrooms/bath are not used) and one for the
downstairs. *But no heat or a/c in the master bedroom addition other than a
thermostatically controlled, unvented propane fireplace and a big window
a/c. * Both are located about central along the longest wall in the master
bedroom.

The bath is across one end of the addition and the walk-in closet and
laundry room are side-by-side at the other end of the addition with the
bedroom in the middle. *The fireplace heat just doesn't make it into the
bathroom, so I need an additional heat source. *(I HATE getting out of a
warm shower or bath and facing a chilly bathroom. * Ugh.) *So, I'm looking
for some kind of suitable and reasonably energy efficient solution.

Any ideas, Doc?

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

"Dr. Zachary Smith" wrote in ...
On Oct 14, 7:07 pm, "Leslie& The Furbabies in MO."

wrote:
I like a cool bedroom but not a chilly bathroom. Is there a rating system
for small electric space heaters (bathroom is about 12 ft. X 9 ft.) that
rates how energy efficient they are? Is one type of electric heater more
energy efficient than another? (This is for USA heaters and use, of
course.)

TIA!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

That's a bit of a nebulous question. *Electric heaters are all pretty
close to 100% efficient (high 90s, anyway) as far as converting
electric energy into something else. *The question is, what's the
something else? *Those that just heat convert nearly all the energy
into heat, but the heat stays near the heater (or rises straight up).
Those with fans/blowers don't convert as much energy into heat because
some is used up to run the mecahnical fan, but the heat that is
generated gets distributed around (which can also make it seem like
less heat because it IS distributed throughout the volume of the room.

If you have forced air heat, one energy-saving tip is to leave the fan
running all the time - 24/7. *This puts more of the heat used to heat
up the furnace and ducts into the living space, and reduces the highs
& lows between the furnace turning on (when it's cold) and off (when
it's hot). *Believe it or don't it'll actually lower your overall
energy bill. *Many new thermostats now come with that option (separate
blower control). Another advantage is that it helps take the place of
a blower in a space heater.

OTOH, if you have forced air, a cold room could also be an indication
that the system isn't balanced. *There are dampers in the ducts and
registers, and they may need to be adjusted to keep all rooms evenly
warm, opening some up and restricting others.

All that said, heaters should be rated by BTU output (British Thermal
Units) which is a fancy term like watts to indicate how much heat it
puts out. *The higher the number, the more heat (A-C units are rated
the same way.) *Heaters are likely also given an energy star rating
indicating how *energy* efficient they are (which as noted earlier -
they're all pretty close, so the ratings should be pretty close in
similar size/functioning heaters). *Thirdly, they're rated (or should
be) for the size room or cubic feet. *Room sizes usually assume 7 - 8
ft ceilings; cubic feet will require a bit more math, but it's not
that big a deal.

FWIW, there's also such a beast as a heated seat, if that's your
preference.

12 x 9 is pretty big for a bathroom unless the house is new with a
huge master bath or something. *Some bedrooms aren't that big, and I'd
guess the bathroom in question may have been converted from a bedroom
if the house is older. (but we all know I was wrong that one time...)
That big a room might warrant a wall or baseboard type supplemental
heater rather than a freestanding one. *The first two are pricier, but
should last longer and heat better/more.

Wiki has a lot of articles on different types of heaters. *Start with
"Heaters" * for a list.

Is floor heat an option? Nothing nicer than a warm floor! Keeps the
room evenly warm too.
Roberta in D

On Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:07:20 -0500, "Leslie& The Furbabies in MO."
wrote:

I like a cool bedroom but not a chilly bathroom. Is there a rating system
for small electric space heaters (bathroom is about 12 ft. X 9 ft.) that
rates how energy efficient they are? Is one type of electric heater more
energy efficient than another? (This is for USA heaters and use, of
course.)

TIA!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I was so happy when our "heat pump" died, it was never warm, it always
blew cold air. Twelve thousand dollars later we have a natural gas
furnace and AC, I love it.
But the best ever heat is gradient floor heat. I prefer the type with
water in tubes, but you can retrofit electric gradient floor heat in a
bathroom fairly easily. You can see it on the DIY shows.



On Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:21:22 -0700, "Taria"
wrote:

DD has a huge bathroom in her new house and has complained about the cold
bathroom. She has central heating and air but added a small heater (that
uses a fan)
last winter. She claimed that only created a draft. I think she is going
to try a radiant type heater this winter. I really don't think there are
very efficient space heaters.
I'll look forward to reading any good solutions too. How are the window
coverings coming along?
I like that you are getting so into this efficient ways to stay comfortable.
We just got back from a visit to out sons home in San Diego. Nice and warm
there but the dampness makes me hurt.
Taria
"Leslie& The Furbabies in MO." wrote in message
...
I like a cool bedroom but not a chilly bathroom. Is there a rating system
for small electric space heaters (bathroom is about 12 ft. X 9 ft.) that
rates how energy efficient they are? Is one type of electric heater more
energy efficient than another? (This is for USA heaters and use, of
course.)

TIA!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Last house we were in had ceramic tiles. Those things are just down right
cold. Not a lot you can really do about that. Even in hot weather they
feel coolish.
Wood, laminate or even vinyl will feel warmer for a lot less cost in the
long run I bet.
Taria
"J*" wrote in message
...
ah, sorry, didnt realize you had ceramic tiles down.
how about one of those 3 purpose ceiling things with lights, heater, 'suck
out the humidity' fan.
dont know what is available there. just thinking outloud.
j.


"Leslie& The Furbabies in MO." wrote ...
I don't want to tear up the ceramic tiles on the bathroom floor- I'd love
it
if it was feasible.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

"J*" wrote ...
underfloor heating would work.
j.

On Oct 15, 11:43*am, "Taria" wrote:
Last house we were in had ceramic tiles. *Those things are just down right
cold. *Not a lot you can really do about that. *

I respectfully disagree. Bathroom area rugs. Either a nice thick one,
or velcro a hunk of space blanket material (so you can remove it for
cleaning) on the underside and you'll never know they're on a cold
floor.

Even in hot weather they
feel coolish.

That's *bad*? I can't find any mention/link for it, but decades ago
some comedy show did a parody skit for a product called the "Cool Cat
Marble Slab". It was a marble candy slab - stick it in the freezer
for a few hours, then take it out for your hot kitty to sprawl out and
snooze on in hot weather. It was hysterical because they had a real
cat doing just that.

Our pets have always sought out the coolest floors in the house during
the summer (as well as the warmest in winter) and animals KNOW a good
hunk of floor when they sprawl on it!

Wood, laminate or even vinyl will feel warmer for a lot less cost in the
long run I bet.

I haven't priced them, but there are other factors to consider....

Doc

Tile just hold the cold and seems to feel cold even around area rugs. I
think one of the leading causes of falls in the home with older folks is
tripping over rugs.
Not great for someone hip replacements like Leslie.

No, it isn't bad that tile is cool in hot weather but that is how really
cold they are. I really think the bad knees in my golden retriever was from
slips on tile when she was damp. I went down on that tile a couple of times
and I am surprised insurers even allow the slick versions in houses they
cover. It is not only cold but hurtful in my experience. I do have many
photos of hot pets lounging on the cool tile though. Not in winter though,
not even here in So. Cal.
We are on cement slab foundations here. Leslie in a different set up I
suppose. I would rather freeze than use unvented gas though. There was a
reason God dropped me off in a warm climate to be born. It is plenty cold
here and really nothing compared to what so many of you guys deal with.
Taria

I've had unvented gas fireplaces for well over twenty years. I have the
gas lines pressure checked and and the working systems serviced every fall.
They have an oxygen depletion shut-off switch and I have a smoke/carbon
monoxide and something else detectors in every room. And the fireplaces are
located in big wide open rooms with ceiling fans. I do not have any safety
worries- and I am very pleased with them when the ice storms hit and I am
without heat/electric for days on end. They keep me and The HairyButt Gang
warm and keep the pipes from freezing. It's a good thing. ;-)

This house is my first with both the hardwood floors (pretty but terribly
impractical- for the dogs and me, any way) and ceramic tiles. Taria is
right- ceramic tiles are cold and slippery and yucky. I have rubber-backed
area rugs in many places over the tile and it's still icky to live with in
any room. IMO My chilly bathroom has a ceramic tile floor, so that
compounds the lack of heat in there.

And my house has crawl space foundations except for under the quilting
studio.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. where we're gearing up for winter!

"Taria" wrote in message
...
Tile just hold the cold and seems to feel cold even around area rugs. I
think one of the leading causes of falls in the home with older folks is
tripping over rugs.
Not great for someone hip replacements like Leslie.

No, it isn't bad that tile is cool in hot weather but that is how really
cold they are. I really think the bad knees in my golden retriever was
from slips on tile when she was damp. I went down on that tile a couple
of times and I am surprised insurers even allow the slick versions in
houses they cover. It is not only cold but hurtful in my experience. I
do have many photos of hot pets lounging on the cool tile though. Not in
winter though, not even here in So. Cal.
We are on cement slab foundations here. Leslie in a different set up I
suppose. I would rather freeze than use unvented gas though. There was a
reason God dropped me off in a warm climate to be born. It is plenty cold
here and really nothing compared to what so many of you guys deal with.
Taria

I've had unvented gas fireplaces for well over twenty years.

I just asked if it was *legal*. If it is, then it sounds like you
have the rest covered.

This house is my first with both the hardwood floors (pretty but terribly
impractical- for the dogs and me, any way) and ceramic tiles.

Hey, *you* bought the place! Now you're complaining? I'm just trying
to *help*!

Doc

On Oct 15, 4:15*pm, "Leslie& The Furbabies in MO."
wrote:
I've had unvented gas fireplaces for well over twenty years. * I have the
gas lines pressure checked and and the working systems serviced every fall.
They have an oxygen depletion shut-off switch and I have a smoke/carbon
monoxide and something else detectors in every room. *And the fireplaces are
located in big wide open rooms with ceiling fans. * I do not have any safety
worries- and I am very pleased with them when the ice storms hit and I am
without heat/electric for days on end. *They keep me and The HairyButt Gang
warm and keep the pipes from freezing. * It's a good thing. * ;-)

This house is my first with both the hardwood floors (pretty but terribly
impractical- for the dogs and me, any way) and ceramic tiles. *Taria is
right- ceramic tiles are cold and slippery and yucky. *I have rubber-backed
area rugs in many places over the tile and it's still icky to live with in
any room. * IMO * My chilly bathroom has a ceramic tile floor, so that
compounds the lack of heat in there.

And my house has crawl space foundations except for under the quilting
studio.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. where we're gearing up for winter!

"Taria" wrote in message

...



Tile just hold the cold and seems to feel cold even around area rugs. *I
think one of the leading causes of falls in the home with older folks is
tripping over rugs.
Not great for someone hip replacements like Leslie.

No, it isn't bad that tile is cool in hot weather but that is how really
cold they are. *I really think the bad knees in my golden retriever was
from slips on tile when she was damp. *I went down on that tile a couple
of times and I am surprised insurers even allow the slick versions in
houses they cover. *It is not only cold but hurtful in my experience. *I
do have many photos of hot pets lounging on the cool tile though. *Not in
winter though, not even here in So. Cal.
We are on cement slab foundations here. *Leslie in a different set up I
suppose. *I would rather freeze than use unvented gas though. *There was a
reason God dropped me off in a warm climate to be born. *It is plenty cold
here and really nothing compared to what so many of you guys deal with.
Taria- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well, I love the house- but nothing is perfect, right? ;-) Now I'm trying
to get the energy bills as low as I can manage and still be warm enough that
my creaky joints don't complain too much. Thanks for the help, Doc!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

"Dr. Zachary Smith" wrote in message
...
I've had unvented gas fireplaces for well over twenty years.

I just asked if it was *legal*. If it is, then it sounds like you
have the rest covered.

This house is my first with both the hardwood floors (pretty but terribly
impractical- for the dogs and me, any way) and ceramic tiles.

Hey, *you* bought the place! Now you're complaining? I'm just trying
to *help*!

Doc

On Oct 15, 4:15 pm, "Leslie& The Furbabies in MO."
wrote:
I've had unvented gas fireplaces for well over twenty years. I have the
gas lines pressure checked and and the working systems serviced every
fall.
They have an oxygen depletion shut-off switch and I have a smoke/carbon
monoxide and something else detectors in every room. And the fireplaces
are
located in big wide open rooms with ceiling fans. I do not have any safety
worries- and I am very pleased with them when the ice storms hit and I am
without heat/electric for days on end. They keep me and The HairyButt Gang
warm and keep the pipes from freezing. It's a good thing. ;-)

This house is my first with both the hardwood floors (pretty but terribly
impractical- for the dogs and me, any way) and ceramic tiles. Taria is
right- ceramic tiles are cold and slippery and yucky. I have rubber-backed
area rugs in many places over the tile and it's still icky to live with in
any room. IMO My chilly bathroom has a ceramic tile floor, so that
compounds the lack of heat in there.

And my house has crawl space foundations except for under the quilting
studio.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. where we're gearing up for winter!

"Taria" wrote in message

...



Tile just hold the cold and seems to feel cold even around area rugs. I
think one of the leading causes of falls in the home with older folks is
tripping over rugs.
Not great for someone hip replacements like Leslie.

No, it isn't bad that tile is cool in hot weather but that is how really
cold they are. I really think the bad knees in my golden retriever was
from slips on tile when she was damp. I went down on that tile a couple
of times and I am surprised insurers even allow the slick versions in
houses they cover. It is not only cold but hurtful in my experience. I
do have many photos of hot pets lounging on the cool tile though. Not in
winter though, not even here in So. Cal.
We are on cement slab foundations here. Leslie in a different set up I
suppose. I would rather freeze than use unvented gas though. There was a
reason God dropped me off in a warm climate to be born. It is plenty
cold
here and really nothing compared to what so many of you guys deal with.
Taria- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -