Home Heating

[Catalpa]

Sorry mods, I couldn't figure out which board this topic fits in - it's sort of homesteading related, sort of conventional fuel related, sort of frugal living related...anyways here it is:

Does anyone have any experience with the quartz infrared heating units? I'm looking at one made by EdenPure. It runs on electricity like a space heater, but it heats by conduction without actually combusting a fuel.

It's a sizable investment at over $300, but I literally spent over twice that a month in propane cost last winter, and that was with keeping the house about 60 degrees.

I can't survive another winter like that. My electric bill would be higher with this heater, but if I can cut my propane costs, it would be worth it.

And yes, I'm doing everything else I can: the house has had insulation blown in the walls, we put R board, tyvek, and new vinyl siding on, and all new windows. It's just a big, old, drafty house, with forced air heat that I really hate.

This year I bought doors for the fireplace, and I'm putting styrofoam and spray foam at the sill joists.

I'm just wondering if anyone uses one of these, and what their experience has been.

[bee_pipes]

You should be able to get an idea of the impact on your electric bill by getting the wattage - say (24 hours) x (wattage) = (number of watt hours)
You can adjust the number of hours and watts like a fraction to figure out kilowatt hours - the unit the electric company usually bills on.

Don't know what part of the country you live in, so not sure how bad your winters are. Wood heating does wonders for our power bill during the winter, but we have baby winters in Tennessee. It would take a lot more wood in Minnesota or Wisconsin. Sounded like yours were pretty bad, from your propane costs.

Best of luck to you - hope someone here with experience with quartz infrared can help.

Regards,
Pat

[kberg]

I am also looking for an "alternative" (the cheapest thing I can find) method of heating my house. While I am still quite on the grid I wish to some day be off. But in the mean time I want to reduce heating costs. I have half hot water baseboard and half electric baseboard and that's the place I need help. The basement with electric base board needs help I think. Would keeping the one room that we use heated with a similar infrared heater work for this need as well? Maybe a gas powered infrared heater be cheaper but I know that Natural gas is going to hit the roof this winter.