At the end of the day home heaters do just that, but the most cost-effective way of using them varies from one design to another.
Electric zonal heaters are common in older houses, apartments and even some offices in Clark County because they were cheaper and easier to install than a central air system. Although their installation costs are low, they tend to cost homeowners and renters more to use than other heating methods. Using them strategically will balance personal comfort and utility expenses.
“Electric zonal heaters are designed to be set independently, one occupied space at a time,” said Anthony Jeffries, a Clark Public Utilities Energy Counselor. “Using them to heat the entire home at once like a central system is a guaranteed way to have a high electric bill.”
A single wall-mounted zonal heater running for eight hours every day for a month will add about $30 to an electric bill. Multiply that across an entire household of maybe six zones and the cost adds up very quickly.
That’s not to say you should keep them off and shiver until spring. Instead, take a targeted approach. Heat only the rooms that are occupied. Set the temperature to a comfortable level and shut the door. When you’re not in the room, set the thermostat off or to a low setting.
Zonal heater thermostats aren’t very accurate. That can cause big swings in a room’s temperature. Plus, those thermostats might not be installed near where you’re sitting and the heat is desired. You can get a better read on your heater’s performance, and thus gain better control over the dial, and, by extension, your own comfort by placing cheap ambient thermometers in the rooms where zonal heaters are regularly used.
Another option is replacing the heater’s original dial thermostat with a modern line voltage thermostat. They’re more accurate and can be programmable, but installation is best left to a professional.
Whatever dial you have, set the heater around 68 degrees while you’re up, then in the low 60s while you’re away or asleep. Wearing a sweater or covering with a blanket is always free and always cheaper than the heater. No matter what, keep the temperature above 55 degrees, to prevent mold or humidity issues.
Hanging heavy curtains and shutting them at night or on chilly days will hold the heat in the room longer. Open them to let the sunshine in to allow the greenhouse effect to work, when possible.
For safety and efficiency, never block heaters with furniture or drapery. It’s also a good idea to vacuum away any built up dust or animal hair.
With zonal heaters, the best way to reduce energy expenses and live more comfortably is to replace them with a ductless heat pump. While those can be costly upfront, they use significantly less energy than zonal heaters. Plus, they provide air conditioning for the summer months.
For more information about ductless heat pumps and potential rebates on installing them in electrically heated homes, visit ClarkPublicUtilities.com. You can also speak to the Energy Counselor of the Day and even schedule a free in-home energy review by calling 360-992-3355 during business hours.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
