use space heaters to move around from room to room to heat. I need to fill the heater tank so I cant decide.Would it be cheaper to pay the higher electric bills or fill the tank for heating the home. I hope you get what im saying.
2007-10-18 10:48:33 · 6 answers · asked by shawnp089 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
p.s. I just moved into the house and it has no oil thats why I ask
2007-10-18 10:49:31 · update #1
If you want to heat your entire house, use the oil heat. Electric heaters are not very efficient.
My home utilizes oil heat. What you should do right now is to call and get someone out to inspect/service your furnace. Ask them to tell you the type/size of air filters that you have and show you how to change the air filters. Get your tank filled right now, while the oil is cheaper. Whomever you ask to fill your tank, ask them to put you on a payment plan. Depending on how well insulated your house is and how warm you keep it, you may be able to get by with only two tank refills this winter. (I can get by with two, but I live in Virginia and winter is not as long or as cold as Oregon.)
Good luck!
2007-10-18 11:05:39 · answer #1 · answered by rec4lms 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Space heaters are 100% efficient whereas the best oil furnaces are only 90% efficient. BTU for BTU however, oil will cost you less.
It gets COLD in Oregon. I doubt that you could get enough heat out of electric space heaters to make a home comfortable on cold days. Kerosene heaters generate carbon monoxide and their instructions specifically state not to use them indoors, unless you keep the area well ventilated. Kerosene is more expensive than oil, so it would be pointless to try.
Shop around for your oil supplier. Negotiate a price for the longest time you can. Try to get that as a time-base. I had a supplier promise the three first fill-ups at a certain price, only to have him fill-up when the tank was 80% full. Once yu have a supplier, you can still shop around, but you might find that, just like with gas, they all have similar prices.
Ask for equal billing, where they spread out your oil bill over 10 or 12 months. They may ask you to give them exclusivity.
To save on oil, use a programmable thermostat. It can be programmed to turn down the heat when you are away and at night while you are sleeping. It will turn the heat back up before you get back or awake. Set your thermostat to the lowest setting you find comfortable. Get in the habit of wearing extra layers and slippers or shoes with socks.
2007-10-21 00:55:29 · answer #2 · answered by C2020 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you are concerned about your bottom line. Understandable since there is generally some sticker shock after paying the fuel bill. Maybe your local oil provider will allow you to purchase in bulk prior to the heating year. If you commit to purchase x gallons in advance, they may give you a discount at pre-season pricing.
I recommend filling the oil tank and keep your setting in the nominal range: 64-68; whatever you can tolerate. Then use whatever efficiency heater you feel most comfortable with. I use kerosene space heaters with great success. If you choose this route, be sure to use non-tinted kerosene as it burns cleaner with less smell when first lit.
In terms of efficiency for your oil heat...I also recommend home fuel optimizers that help keep your heating system clean. Cleaner systems make your dollar stretch further. An annual or bi-annual check-up is good too.
2007-10-18 21:47:57 · answer #3 · answered by cnichol_t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just to clarify, electric space heaters are 100 % efficiant. theyre not very economical. 100 % of the heat generated stays in the room. ever try to get on a budget for electricity or even through an oil company. you ll pay all yr but it wont hurt so bad for those 4 mos if you get to pay 12 mos for 4 mos usage spreading out the payments.
i recommend keeping temps on furnace lower and put a space heater in the living room or what ever room you habitate the most, except if you have alot of pets or small children then dont do the space heater thing at all
2007-10-18 19:36:06 · answer #4 · answered by francis g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Space heaters are both dangerous & unefficant. You can call a few home heating oil suppliers in your area. Get an estimate & find out how big of an oil tank you have (how many gallons it will hold). Then, you'll know apox. how much you'll need next time you want it filled COMPLETLY or HALF way (if you're short on money).
2007-10-18 18:26:08 · answer #5 · answered by Kare_bear_ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
electric space heaters will cost much more than any other heating system. get the oil also moving the heaters will leave some rooms susceptible to temps cold enough to burst water pipes in the walls, big mess
2007-10-18 17:52:52 · answer #6 · answered by cape cod dan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋