How can I save on a utility bill? For instance, is it cheaper to use the heat or a space heater?...ADVICE!?

Question

I've been told that the typical utility bill is $150-$300 in my apt. I'm curious if I could save in any way, being that I've never lived on my own. For instance, in the winter, is it cheaper to use a space heater in my room or turn on the heat? Also, I don't leave lights or the TV on when I'm not home. Any advice on how to cut costs? Thanks!

Answer 1

Here...read this:

Portable Heaters
Small space heaters are typically used when the main heating system is inadequate or when central heating is too costly to install or operate. In some cases, small space heaters can be less expensive to use if you only want to heat one room or supplement inadequate heating in one room. They can also boost the temperature of rooms used by individuals who are sensitive to cold, especially elderly persons, without overheating your entire home.

Space heater capacities generally range between 10,000 Btu to 40,000 Btu per hour. Common fuels used for this purpose are: electricity, propane, natural gas, and kerosene (see the wood and pellet section for information on wood and pellet stoves).

Although most space heaters rely on convection (the circulation of air in a room) to heat a room, some rely on radiant heating; that is, they emit infrared radiation that directly heats up objects and people that are within their line of sight. Radiant heaters are a more efficient choice when you will be in a room for only a few hours, if you can remain within the line of sight of the heater. They can be more efficient when using a room for a short period because they avoid the energy needed to heat the entire room by instead directly heating the occupant of the room and the occupant's immediate surroundings.

Safety is a top consideration when using space heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters, causing more than 300 deaths. An estimated 6,000 persons receive hospital emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting hot surfaces of room heaters, mostly in non-fire situations.

When buying and installing a small space heater, follow these guidelines:

Only purchase newer model heaters that have all of the current safety features. Make sure the heater has the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) label attached to it.
Choose a thermostatically controlled heaters, since they avoid the energy waste of overheating a room.
Select a heater of the proper size for the room you wish to heat. Do not purchase oversized heaters. Most heaters come with a general sizing table.
Locate the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic. Be especially careful to keep children and pets away from the heater.
Vented and Unvented Combustion Space Heaters
Space heaters are classified as vented and unvented, or "vent free." Unvented combustion units are not recommended for use inside your home, as they introduce unwanted combustion products into the living space, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and water vapor. The units also deplete the air in the space where they are located. Most states have banned unvented kerosene heaters for use in the home and at least five have banned the use of unvented natural gas heaters.

Vented units are designed to be permanently located next to an outside wall, so that the flue gas vent can be installed through a ceiling or directly through the wall to the outside. Look for sealed combustion or "100% outdoor air" units, which have a duct to bring outside into the combustion chamber. Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.

Less expensive (and less efficient) units use the room air for combustion. They do not have a sealed glass front to keep room air away from the fire and should not be confused with a sealed combustion heater.

In addition to the manufacturer's installation and operating instructions, you should follow these general safety guidelines for operating any combustion space heater:

For liquid-fueled heaters, use only the approved fuel. Never use gasoline! Follow the manufacturer's fueling instructions. Never fill a heater that is still hot. Do not overfill the heater; you must allow for the expansion of the liquid. Only use approved containers clearly marked for that particular fuel, and store them outdoors.

Have vented space heaters professionally inspected every year. If the heater is not vented properly, not vented at all, or if the vent is blocked, separated, rusted, or corroded, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can enter the home causing sickness and death. CO also can be produced if the heater is not properly set up and adjusted for the type of gas used and the altitude at which it is installed.

Electric Space Heaters
Electric space heaters are generally more expensive to operate than combustion space heaters, but they are the only unvented space heaters that are safe to operate inside your home. Although electric space heaters avoid indoor air quality concerns, they still carry hazards of potential burns and fires, and should be used with caution.

For convection (non-radiant) space heaters, the best types incorporate a heat transfer liquid, such as oil, that is heated by the electric element. The heat transfer fluid provides some heat storage, allowing the heater to cycle less and to provide a more constant heat source.

When buying and installing an electric space heater, you should follow these general safety guidelines:

Electric heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. If an extension cord is necessary, use a heavy-duty cord of 14-guage wire or larger.

For portable electric heaters, buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if the unit is tipped over.



I personally would suggest the space heater and lots of sweaters for your cold winter months! That way you can just warm up the room you are spending the most time in and save lots of muah!

Answer 2

I have a big old house that is very hard to keep warm in the winter. I usually set the heat around 55 when I leave during the day. When I come home at night I'll turn the thermostat up to about 68 and let it run till it kicks off, then I'll turn it back to 55 again. I then run space heaters in the room I'm in. I have one that has a timer on it so I never have to worry about going to sleep and having it run all night (don't really want a fire). Anyway, when I get up in the morning, I'll turn the heat up again, just to take the chill off. The last couple of years I've had friends in similar size homes paying between $200 - $450 when its really cold, and I usually pay between $135 - $250. For me it works. However, there talking here in Illinois about raising the price of electricity, so I don't know how much longer that will work. Good luck!

Answer 3

An electric space heater is going to cost you a bundle.

Your best bet is--plan on wearing a sweater a lot of the time in your apartment. Turn the thermostat down to 60 or 65 during the day when you're around, even lower when you're not.

Get an electric blanket. The ones that go on the bottom are the best. For the cost of a 100 watt bulb (or less) you are warm and toasty all night--much better than 1000 watts to space heat the room. During the night, turn the heate down to 55 or lower (no lower than 45, though).

If you have windows and doors, insulate, insulate, insulate. Most heat just goes out the window. For a few cents, you can put an air tight transparent plastic sheet over your windows. Put a towel or blanket on the bottom of your door--a lot of heat gets out that way.

Others ways: unplug your TV except when you're using it. If you leave your TV plugged in it's using electricity for instant on. Change all bulbs to fluorescent bulbs (you save 80 percent for the same number of lumens). If you have a south-facing window, open the blinds and let the sun heat your place. If you heat your own water, an on-demand heater is better than an always-on heater, but you probably have no control over that.

Answer 4

Don't leave anything on when you aren't going to be home to save on electricity. And when you are home just keep on the bare necessities to function while home. If you have a small room, then you can invest in a space heater, but becareful they are known to cause fires if left on all night, so just buy one that is a safety model. Where sweaters or other layers while heating the rest of the house, so you can keep the temperature at 58-60 all the time. Shut the heat off completely in April/May depending on where you live. Turn the heat on as late as possible in the winters like beginning of November.

Answer 5

If you didn't already know this, this is great information: When you leave the house and the lights are turned off but everything (lamps, microwave, TV, etc) is still plugged in, that's still using electricity! I would suggest plugging all of your appliances (or at least the ones that don't need to charge while your gone, like your refrigerator) into a power chord and then unplugging that every time you leave your place. It'll make a big difference.

Answer 6

Space heaters use alot of energy to run - cut your hot water heater down several degrees - use energy efficent light bulbs - cut off all lights when not in use - at night instead of cutting lights on - use a nite light - if your refrigerator uses two light bulbs - take one out - don't open the refrigerator or freezer doors unless you know what you are going to get out and where it is located - don't leave refrigerator or freezer doors open while you make up your mind - wastes alot of energy - after thinking you probably can think of some of your own energy saving ideas - good luck!@

Answer 7

it depends on what kind of heat you have. i know personally its cheaper for me to run my space heaters than turn on my gas heat (radiators). it seems to take my radiators forever to get heated up and do any good. also, if you have any air conditioners in your windows, take them out and close your storm windows and the inside windows to hold heat in. you can also cut costs by closing the door to whatever room your spending your time in, turn on the space heater and put on some extra clothes. works for me!

Answer 8

NOO. space heaters are bad, they will cost you more in electric then what you pay in heat.
They have been saying that appilaices on standby use alot of electric.
Are your windows new and insulated? that can save on heat.

Answer 9

Use regular heat, it is cheaper and safer.

Turn the air up a little while you are not home.

Also, good windows will help a ton. Seal them with plastic if you can, and place a towel at the bottom of the doors if they are drafty.

Answer 10

Stop paying your bill and they'll turn it off. At that point your utility bill will be $0. This is the best answer because you can't get any lower than that.