| Cold weather will soon be here and the worry | | | | real fire but without any flames, fumes, ashes or |
| about higher heating cost has many of us looking | | | | mess and all you have to do is plug it in. The |
| for ways to reduce our heating bill. One way to | | | | heater rolls from room to room and uses the |
| slash heating bills and stay warm is to use an | | | | same energy as a coffee maker. They also claim |
| electric space heater. With soaring natural gas, | | | | it produces an amazing 5,119 BTUs. |
| propane and heating oil prices, electric heaters | | | | The only thing special about their electric heater is |
| seem the natural choice as electricity costs are | | | | the descriptive exaggerations. Most electric |
| not predicted to increase as much as other fuels. | | | | heaters provide up to 1500 watts or 5120 BTUs |
| Another advantage is that heating a chilly room is | | | | of heat. This is the maximum amount of wattage |
| less expensive than turning up the thermostat. | | | | that can be used safely in a standard household |
| For every degree you turn down your | | | | electrical outlet. |
| thermostat, you can save 3 percent to 5 percent | | | | The manufacturer of quartz infrared heater, |
| on heating costs. | | | | another manufacturer that heavily advertises |
| There are two main types of electric heaters: | | | | exaggerated claims, states that its space heater |
| radiant and convection. | | | | can "cut your heating bill up to 50% while keeping |
| Radiant Heaters. As far as I'm concerned, using a | | | | you toasty warm." Not so, according to reviews |
| radiant heater in the home is a waste of | | | | at and who say that the infrared heater either |
| electricity. They only heat objects as opposed to | | | | failed within a few weeks or did not heat a very |
| heating the surrounding air. A radiant space heater | | | | large area. It would take several years to recoup |
| would be a good choice to use in an office where | | | | the high purchase price of the space heater not in |
| everyone is warm but one person or maybe to | | | | a matter of weeks as they claim. |
| use as a foot warmer while sitting at a desk. | | | | What to look for in a space heater.o Look for a |
| Convection Heaters. This type of electric heater | | | | UL (Underwriters Laboratories) mark. This mark |
| warms the air in the room and uses either the | | | | on a product indicates that UL technicians tested |
| natural air currents in a room or a fan to circulate | | | | the model for possible safety problems.o A |
| warm air. The most popular space heaters are | | | | thermostat is a must have. With a thermostat |
| oil-filled and look like radiators. They are heavy but | | | | you can control the temperature of a room and |
| you don't have to worry about them falling over. | | | | keep it constant. Most modern portable heaters |
| The oil contained in this type of heater is | | | | have this feature.o Automatic shutoff. The better |
| permanently sealed within the heater and never | | | | space heaters come with an automatic shutoff |
| needs to be refilled. The oil is heated when the | | | | feature, in case the unit is turned over or |
| unit is turned on. Although they can be slow to | | | | overheats.o Other safety features. Helpful |
| heat up, the oil inside stays warm for a long time | | | | features include indicator lights to let you know |
| once it reaches the temperature setting. | | | | when the unit is on. Also, grilles that cover the |
| Be aware of extravagant claims and recalls. | | | | blades of the fan and the heating element protect |
| Consumer Reports magazine has the best review | | | | against contact with people and pets. |
| of electric space heaters. You can also check with | | | | Where to look for product reviews.o has |
| Good Housekeeping magazine and Popular | | | | customer reviews of many space heaters on the |
| Mechanics magazine for reviews and buyer | | | | market.o ConsumerReports.org has expert |
| information. | | | | unbiased product ratings and reviews. Content is |
| There are at least two extravagant claims that | | | | available only to subscribers.o Google whatever |
| I'm aware of. One manufacturer has a full page | | | | you're interested in buying. For instance, cell phone |
| ad designed to resemble a news report about a | | | | reviews, Honda Fit reviews, or computer reviews. |
| miracle fireplace the uses 'fireless flame' | | | | Play it safe, get product reviews before buying. |
| technology and gives you the peaceful flicker of a | | | | |