What is more efficient?

bsmith6356 · 11-16-2008, 01:03 PM

Hi-
Our house has gas heat. Last week I was in the attic, and found a fake fireplace that is electric. It says 120V/60Hz/1500W on the back, runs a fan out of the bottom, and has a thermostat. It's just my wife and I in the house, and she was asking if it would save us money to turn down the heat and just use the electric fireplace. The top has controls for fan, thermostat, and two switches that you can turn on and off that say 750 Watts.

Someone suggested using an electric blanket at night. Night time sleeping temperature is not the problem, it's during the day or evening that we mainly need the heat.

A couple of questions:
1. would this thing end up costing us more to run than relying on our gas? Our house is two story, the upstairs only has a master bedroom. We typically program our heat to run anywhere from 65 (at night) to 69 during the day. We live in Charlotte, NC.
2. Last night I had it plugged into an outlet that also has our TV/home entertainment system. We had all of them going at once, and it blew a fuse. I'm assuming I need to try another outlet?

I would appreciate any help!
Thanks, Brent

Marvin Gardens · 11-16-2008, 02:32 PM

Electricity is way more efficient than gas. All the heat is left in the house and none is vented outside like gas.

The question should be what costs less for the same results. With gas prices increasing it is becoming a toss up.

750 watts is nothing and would have a hard time keeping a small bathroom warm. Running this heater for an hour will produce about 2500 btu's which is not much.

If you went with electric you would need a much bigger heater.

**beenthere** · 11-16-2008, 06:24 PM

That heater on high(1500 watts) is barely enough for the average living room.

kennzz05 · 11-16-2008, 07:12 PM

i havent paid a gas bill in a while so i dont know rates but id be suprized if my gas bill for a month would be higher than my elec bill if i was using straight elec heat (non heat pump) i know it never used to be like that

**beenthere** · 11-16-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennzz05

i havent paid a gas bill in a while so i dont know rates but id be suprized if my gas bill for a month would be higher than my elec bill if i was using straight elec heat (non heat pump) i know it never used to be like that

Depend where you are.
Some places have very high electric rates.
Some areas in this country are 25 cents a KWH.

Marvin Gardens · 11-17-2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beenthere

Depend where you are.
Some places have very high electric rates.
Some areas in this country are 25 cents a KWH.

I feel good with my 6 cents per KWH. Co-op.

**beenthere** · 11-17-2008, 06:11 AM

Currnetly 10 5 cents here.
Goes up 30 to 40% in 2010 though.

tk03 · 11-18-2008, 10:32 PM

The unit at 1500 watts is about 5000 btu's. With the fan it may work OK dependent on windows, room size, insulation etc.

hvaclover · 11-18-2008, 11:34 PM

No buddy pick up on the fuse blowing? Only the TV going.

Does the OP know what the home's electrical system is like?

Is the electrical panel too small for the family's power consumption?

**beenthere** · 11-19-2008, 02:37 AM

Entertainment centers can have a high amp draw themselves.
So a breaker tripping with the addition of a 12.5 amp draw(6.75 if it was set to 750 watts) is not surprising.

hvaclover · 11-19-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beenthere

Entertainment centers can have a high amp draw themselves.
So a breaker tripping with the addition of a 12.5 amp draw(6.75 if it was set to 750 watts) is not surprising.

Whadda'yamean?? My console B&W 12" Philco TV and '78 speed Victrola only draws 2 amps!

hvaclover · 11-19-2008, 10:09 AM

[quote=hvaclover;187212]Whadda'yamean?? My console B&W 12" Philco TV and '78 speed Victrola only draws 2 amps!

j/k . This one was my bad. Iam not up on what all the entertainment devices do amp wise.

**beenthere** · 11-19-2008, 10:08 PM

15 amp circuits are good for an electric heater plus anther appliance that draws more then 3 amps.

11-16-2008, 01:03 PM	#1
bsmith6356 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 13	What is more efficient? Hi- Our house has gas heat. Last week I was in the attic, and found a fake fireplace that is electric. It says 120V/60Hz/1500W on the back, runs a fan out of the bottom, and has a thermostat. It's just my wife and I in the house, and she was asking if it would save us money to turn down the heat and just use the electric fireplace. The top has controls for fan, thermostat, and two switches that you can turn on and off that say 750 Watts. Someone suggested using an electric blanket at night. Night time sleeping temperature is not the problem, it's during the day or evening that we mainly need the heat. A couple of questions: 1. would this thing end up costing us more to run than relying on our gas? Our house is two story, the upstairs only has a master bedroom. We typically program our heat to run anywhere from 65 (at night) to 69 during the day. We live in Charlotte, NC. 2. Last night I had it plugged into an outlet that also has our TV/home entertainment system. We had all of them going at once, and it blew a fuse. I'm assuming I need to try another outlet? I would appreciate any help! Thanks, Brent

11-16-2008, 02:32 PM	#2
Marvin Gardens Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,186	What is more efficient? Electricity is way more efficient than gas. All the heat is left in the house and none is vented outside like gas. The question should be what costs less for the same results. With gas prices increasing it is becoming a toss up. 750 watts is nothing and would have a hard time keeping a small bathroom warm. Running this heater for an hour will produce about 2500 btu's which is not much. If you went with electric you would need a much bigger heater. __________________ My idea of a perfect day: No where to go and all day to get there.

11-16-2008, 06:24 PM	#3
beenthere An old Tradesmen Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 19,045	What is more efficient? That heater on high(1500 watts) is barely enough for the average living room.

11-16-2008, 07:12 PM	#4
kennzz05 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: palm coast fl Posts: 551	What is more efficient? i havent paid a gas bill in a while so i dont know rates but id be suprized if my gas bill for a month would be higher than my elec bill if i was using straight elec heat (non heat pump) i know it never used to be like that

11-17-2008, 06:11 AM	#7
beenthere An old Tradesmen Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 19,045	What is more efficient? Currnetly 10 5 cents here. Goes up 30 to 40% in 2010 though.

What is more efficient?