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I am think about getting a Infrared Heater for the home to help reduce our Elc Bill. We have a total Elc. Home and heat it with a Central Air unit. During the coldest months our Elc Bill will runs around 350.00 a month. If any one has a infrared Heater could you tell me a little about yours and if it has helps with the Elc bill, also what brand do you have. I am looking at the ones that lowes carrys I think it is called an I Heater for around 398.00.
Thanks
Billy
Can't tell you much about infrared...we have a couple of oil filled radiator style heaters that are portable. In the winter we turn the heat down as cool as we can stand and use the portable heaters to spot heat various areas of the house...sure it's not all comfy cozy warm throughout the house, but the rooms we're in most get warm enough. I've never paid much attention to what the bills are from year to year but surely what we're doing probably saves a few dollars...gotta be less expensive than keeping the ENTIRE house toasty warm. We have gas heat (centralized like your's)
I do the same as Tim except i use forced air type that are quicker to heat up my immediate area and very lightweight. I haven't seen the infrared heater? Curious as to what or how that works? Is it also killing some impurities in the air?
[QUOTE=Chubminnow;474753]Can't tell you much about infrared...we have a couple of oil filled radiator style heaters that are portable. In the winter we turn the heat down as cool as we can stand and use the portable heaters to spot heat various areas of the house...sure it's not all comfy cozy warm throughout the house, but the rooms we're in most get warm enough. I've never paid much attention to what the bills are from year to year but surely what we're doing probably saves a few dollars...gotta be less expensive than keeping the ENTIRE house toasty warm. We have gas heat (centralized like your's)[/QUOTE]
I don't know - Those spot heaters can **** some electricity. Our master bathroom just doesn't get heated well at all with the home's unit. (All Electric, Heat Pump) So we put one of those spot heaters in there to try to warm it up and keep the tile floor from being like walking barefooted on an ice rink. It jacked up my electric bill up back before we were on budget billing.
We're about 2500 square feet ranch, no basement. I've got the budget billing at $190/month year round and I leave the thermostat on 72 year round and don't touch it....ever. I pay a little more than I should in the spring and fall months on budget billing, but it doesn't kill me at $350 in the winter and summer when it's working overtime. I tell the woman that if she's cold, put on a sweater and throw an extra blanky on the bed. If she's hot, get nekkid.
Actually, hang on...the woman is pregnant right now...so I've had to be a little more "sensitive" with that this year. ie: <<tiptoeing into the room after a comment about it being cold>> "Honey, can it get you a blanket...warm pair of socks? Hot chocolate? Chili with pickles and bananas on it?" LMAO
[QUOTE=MrSplitshot;474760]We're about 2500 square feet ranch, no basement. I've got the budget billing at $190/month year round and I leave the thermostat on 72 year round and don't touch it....ever.[/QUOTE]
One of the best things money can buy is a programmable t'stat...I never mess with mine. When I first installed it I fiddled with it until I had it set to adjust for different times of the day, weekends verses weekdays, summer verses winter, etc...
We're about 1700 square feet with a basement...but I keep my house a lot cooler than you do in the winter....63 at night, 61 during the day...if someone is cold feel free to go over and kick it up a notch or two.
We just moved into our new house this year with central heat and air, totally electric. I was in charge of the task of buying the hvac system that we would use. I chose one of the Carrier systems that doesn't blast air when it first comes on. It comes on slowly and gradually increases the speed until it is at full power and gradually slows down before it shuts off. We also have whole house ventilation.
Recently the nighttime temperatures have fallen into the lower 20s with daytime varying from 44-65 degrees. Our highest power bill has been $114.68 (this month) and that includes a security floodlight in the outer yard. Our house has 3 bedrooms, office, great room, dining room, kitchen, 2 baths/the master bath has both a bath and dressing room. I set the thermostat on 74 degrees at night and 76 degrees daytime. We have a fireplace but haven't used it yet. We do not use the budget billing system; we just pay whatever the bill is every month. I had extra insulation put in the house when it was built and it has really helped with electric bills and noise control.
One of my relatives has a tower type infrared heater with a blower and it easily heats 2-3 rooms, depending on their size. The heat seems to be warmer (if that's possible) than central heat. jmo
[QUOTE=MrSplitshot;474760]I leave the thermostat on 72 year round and don't touch it....ever.[/QUOTE]
Turn the t'stat down to low 60's, then I bet you can tell a difference in how much heat they provide :)