Comments on: Would An Electric Fireplace Be Cheaper To Run The Electric Heat?

By: Nattitud

Nattitud — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:35:12 +0000

I think the bill will be just about the same and this heater (1500 w) pulls some electric. Maybe if you were giving up gas you would see a difference. And yes you will have the worry of the breakers kicking. I have natural gas and to avoid the outrageous heating bills this year, I got the electric wood burning stove to use in the living room when we are sitting and I have put a space heater in the bedroom up stairs and closed off the vents. Take advantage of the oven heat after cooking,leave the door open til it cools, I now keep my utility room door open when I dry clothes and I burn candles. All are small, but do make a difference. Oh, and dress warmer

By: golfwino

golfwino — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:37:02 +0000

They are both just electric heaters. The best electric heater is the oil filled that looks like a radiator from the past. To save on heat buy a humidifier. The same as a summer day the higher the humidity the warmer it feels. You can keep you room temp down and still feel warmer. For the bedroom use an electric blanket at night and turn down room heat. It may be a little cool when you need relief in the middle of the night but it saves money. Also make your own widow treatment with insulation in the middle. Roman blinds that have a seal around window at night can save heat escaping. If you have a south facing window you can make and install a window solar collector that fits in window like an air conditioner and get free heat from the sun. If you have an electric water heater you can install a insulated blanket around it and also put in a timer to shut it off during times you are not home. Turn back on 1/2 hour before coming home and you will never know it was off all day and even most of the night for that matter.

By: HyperDog

HyperDog — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:58:15 +0000

If any of that heat goes up the chimney, then it’s hard to say.
But since most electric inserts are made to direct the heat into the room and not up the chimney, it will likely save some energy by only heating the bedroom. (which is what I assume you mean by not running the heating unit; so IOW, the rest of the apartment would be allowed to cool off at night).

By: Brutally Honest

Brutally Honest — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:52:30 +0000

Where do you live?
Can you get away with not running the heat for most of the day/night and just adding more blankets & bundling up?
We have just space heaters (don’t use the apartment-furnished heating units) for when it gets REALLY chilly…but then again really chilly for us is when it’s in the 40′s outside! Cold inside is when it’s about 60 or so (and that warrants slipper-socks & sweaters).
You will need to make some decisions on how you want to live. You may just need to save money during the summer to compensate the bill during the winter.
Good luck.