Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Jan 14, 2010 05:02am | #1

   Melissa,
   First of all, you have to calculate your home's heating load for your design temperature. To answer that question, we need to know your climate (since the outdoor winter design temperature could be -20°F, or it could be 0°F). We also need to know how many windows your house has; the size of the windows; which direction the windows face; the type of glazing in the windows; the insulation levels of your floors, walls, and ceilings; and, if possible, the home's air leakage rate.

   Secondly, buying smaller electric resistance heaters will not lower your heating bill. Here's how your heaters work: they are thermostatically controlled. Once the home's air temperature is up to the thermostat set point, the heaters turn off. Smaller heaters will only save money if they are unable to keep the house warm enough to be comfortable.

   To lower your heating bills, you need to do one or all of the following:
   1. Switch to a cheaper heating fuel.
   2. Turn down your thermostat when you aren't home or when you are sleeping.
   3. Improve the home's thermal envelope by sealing air leaks, improving insulation thickness, or installing storm windows.

2. 
   adkjac upstateny | Jan 16, 2010 03:05am | #2

   No Melissa... Martin is right

   Best way I found years ago to deal with some problems is to put them on the market.

   If you wanted to DIY... sealing up your home well and possibly getting a pellet stove might help lower your costs. You still would have the cost of the pellet stove and then would have to take care of it.

   Some apartments come with heat included... another option is to rent a room... which would be the most cost effective I would think.