Beatrice Lang
Electric heaters are a great way to provide direct, limited heat to small areas. However, they can be expensive to run and it's important to be mindful of the associated costs. To save electricity with electric heaters, it's recommended to heat smaller areas and use the heater only when needed. Additionally, eliminating drafts and ensuring proper insulation can help preserve the heat. For those looking to upgrade, installing a heat pump can be a more efficient and cost-saving option.
How to save electricity with electric heaters
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use a heat pump | Install a heat pump to save money on your electric bill |
| Use electric heaters only when needed | Set your wall thermostat several degrees lower and use electric heaters to spot-heat certain areas when needed |
| Use an electric blanket | Use an electric blanket to keep warm at night |
| Eliminate drafts | Eliminate drafts to preserve heat |
| Insulation | Use insulation to prevent heat from escaping |
| Humidifiers | Humid air can hold more heat than dry air |
| Targeted heating | Use a heater that provides targeted attention to the limbs and extremities |
| Smart heaters | Use smart heaters with built-in thermostats and apps to monitor real-time cost, access remotely and set schedules |
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What You'll Learn
Use a heat pump
Heat pumps are a highly effective way to save electricity when heating your home. They work by transferring heat from one place to another, rather than generating heat. In the winter, a heat pump will extract heat from outside your home and move it inside, and in the summer, it will cool your home by moving heat from indoors to outdoors.
The most common type of heat pump is the air-source heat pump, which takes heat from the air outside and moves it inside. There are two main types of air-source heat pump: air-to-water and air-to-air. Air-to-water heat pumps feed heat into your wet central heating system, similar to gas central heating. Air-to-air heat pumps, on the other hand, blow heated air directly into your home.
Heat pumps are highly efficient because they produce more heat output than they consume in electricity input. They can produce two to three times more heat than they consume in electricity, and they are even more efficient in the summer months when cooling your home.
Heat pumps are also more efficient than other heating methods, such as furnaces and baseboard heaters. They can reduce your electricity use for heating by up to 75% compared to electric resistance heating.
Inverter-driven heat pump systems are even more efficient, as they can modulate their speed and capacity at near-infinite degrees between low and high settings, maintaining consistent comfort and minimizing cool drafts.
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Insulate your home
Insulating your home is key to reducing electricity usage and retaining heat.
Firstly, identify any areas of your home that are poorly insulated or prone to drafts. Common problem areas include attics, basements, crawl spaces, and garages, as well as windows and doors. Seal any gaps or cracks using caulk or weatherstripping, and consider adding extra insulation to these areas. For instance, you can insulate your attic by laying rolls of fiberglass or cellulose insulation, or by hiring a professional to install spray foam insulation.
Next, ensure your windows and doors are properly sealed and insulated. You can do this by installing storm windows or adding weatherstripping and door sweeps to prevent drafts. Curtains or blinds can also provide an extra layer of insulation, helping to keep the heat inside during the colder months.
Additionally, focus on insulating your floors and walls. If you have an unfinished basement or crawl space, consider insulating the floors and walls to retain heat and reduce electricity usage. You can also add insulation to exterior walls, either by blowing insulation into the wall cavities or by installing rigid foam insulation over the walls.
Finally, remember that proper insulation and ventilation go hand in hand. While insulating your home, ensure that you don't block any vents or air intake areas, as this could impact the indoor air quality and the performance of your heating system.
By implementing these insulation measures, you can significantly reduce electricity usage and create a more comfortable and energy-efficient home.
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Spot-heat specific areas
One of the most effective ways to save electricity with electric heaters is to spot-heat specific areas. This means using a space heater to heat only the area you are occupying, rather than heating your entire home.
Space heaters are most efficient at providing direct, limited heat to small areas. For example, you can place a space heater next to your desk to keep you warm while working or watching TV. By focusing the heat on a specific area, you can lower your overall energy consumption and reduce your electric bill.
To further enhance the efficiency of spot-heating, it is recommended to set your wall thermostat several degrees lower. This ensures that the space heater only needs to raise the temperature by a few degrees, rather than heating a large space from a very low temperature. Remember to turn off the space heater when you leave the room, as it is intended for spot-heating specific areas and should not be left running continuously.
Additionally, consider using an electric blanket at night instead of heating your bedroom all night. This allows you to stay warm and comfortable while saving electricity.
By combining space heaters with thermostat adjustments and targeted heating of specific areas, you can optimize your energy savings while maintaining a comfortable living environment.
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Use an electric blanket at night
Electric heaters are an expensive necessity, especially during the cold winter months. One way to save on electricity costs is to use an electric blanket at night.
Electric blankets are cost-effective and cosy, providing a warm bedroom on a cold winter night. They consume little energy, costing about four cents an hour on average, compared to some space heaters, which cost around 15 cents an hour. According to calculations, it costs around $20 per season to run a single bed electric blanket, including pre-heating it every night for three months.
Electric blankets are very effective heaters, so you only need to run one for around 10 to 30 minutes on an average setting before switching it off. As the warm air is trapped under your doona, you should stay warm all night and may not need a space heater. This not only prevents energy waste but also saves on heating costs.
The most common type of electric blanket is the under-blanket, which sits under your fitted sheet. There are also over-blankets, which sit on top of your doona and maintain a constant temperature all night. Make sure to select a blanket with a high energy efficiency rating and an overheat protection sensor to switch off if it gets too hot.
Using an electric blanket is a great way to stay warm at night while saving on electricity costs. By effectively using an electric blanket to warm up, you will save more on energy and get a restful night's sleep.
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Monitor energy usage with a smart thermostat
Electric heaters are an effective way to provide direct, limited heat to small areas. However, they can be costly to run, especially if you're using them to heat an entire home. One way to save electricity with electric heaters is to monitor your energy usage with a smart thermostat.
A smart thermostat can help you keep track of your energy consumption in real-time, allowing you to make adjustments as needed. For example, you can set schedules to turn the heater on and off at specific times, ensuring that it's only running when you need it. This can help you save energy and lower your electric bill.
Smart thermostats can also be controlled remotely, giving you the flexibility to adjust the temperature from anywhere in your home or even when you're away. This means you won't have to worry about forgetting to turn off the heater when you leave the house, as you can simply do it from your phone.
Additionally, smart thermostats can provide valuable insights into your energy usage patterns. By analysing this data, you can identify areas where you may be using more energy than necessary and make changes to reduce your consumption. This might include adjusting the temperature settings or considering alternative heating solutions for specific rooms or areas.
When choosing a smart thermostat, look for one that is compatible with your electric heater and offers features such as remote access, scheduling, and energy usage reporting. It's also important to ensure that the thermostat is properly installed and set up to work with your specific heating system. By utilising a smart thermostat, you can effectively monitor and optimise your energy usage, saving electricity and money in the long run.
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Frequently asked questions
Try to heat smaller areas and use the heater only when needed to heat the area around you.
Some electric heaters that save electricity include the Dreo Space Heater and the Kelvin from Boldr.
Eliminate drafts and ensure your rooms are insulated so that heat does not escape.
Yes, you could switch to a heat pump. While this requires an initial investment, it will save you money on your electric bill in the long run.
Yes, set your wall thermostat several degrees lower and use an electric blanket at night to keep warm.
