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brk-lnt · 11-13-2009, 03:43 PM

ANY electric heater is going to ultimately operate on some principle of creating heat from electrical current and resistance.

Electric heaters can be extremely efficient, but this is much different than "cost effective". As an extreme example, let's say you can extract 10 units of heat from burning a $100 bill, and 5 units of heat from burning a $10 bill. The $100 bill would be more efficient (you are converting more content to heat), but the $10 bill is more cost-effecting (burning 2 $10 bills ($20) gives you the same heat as the $100 bill). This is a very contrived example, but hopefully makes the point.

In our area, electric heat is going to be significantly more expensive than wood/gas type heating options. It might be more efficient, but the extra efficiency does not make up for the inflated cost.

If you want to be able to provide a little bit of heat in a small area at sporadic times, the electric heaters are a convenient option. But, if you're going to use them as a more continuous supplemental heat source, you'll find that they will make a dramatic increase on your electric bill.

11-13-2009, 03:43 PM	#3
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,947 Thanks: 545 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	ANY electric heater is going to ultimately operate on some principle of creating heat from electrical current and resistance. Electric heaters can be extremely efficient, but this is much different than "cost effective". As an extreme example, let's say you can extract 10 units of heat from burning a $100 bill, and 5 units of heat from burning a $10 bill. The $100 bill would be more efficient (you are converting more content to heat), but the $10 bill is more cost-effecting (burning 2 $10 bills ($20) gives you the same heat as the $100 bill). This is a very contrived example, but hopefully makes the point. In our area, electric heat is going to be significantly more expensive than wood/gas type heating options. It might be more efficient, but the extra efficiency does not make up for the inflated cost. If you want to be able to provide a little bit of heat in a small area at sporadic times, the electric heaters are a convenient option. But, if you're going to use them as a more continuous supplemental heat source, you'll find that they will make a dramatic increase on your electric bill. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]