It’s winter, and the Weather Channel predicts an icy snowstorm by noon. You feel the urge to turn up the thermostat, but then remember that you’re trying to save money. Must you resign yourself to wearing long underwear to keep warm while watching those Weather Channel reports? Nope, no need to pull out the long johns and mukluks. Instead, try using an oil-filled space heater to keep warm and help save money this winter. Below is a list of five reasons why one might work for you.
An oil-filled space heater supplies localized heating where you need it. The oil-filled space heater that I use stands almost two feet tall. When plugged in, the heat radiates from the sides and the top, which means there’s warmth from my feet to my my hips when I’m sitting at a desk.
It may be less costly to run an oil-filled space heater than running a furnace. Heating an entire home when heat is only needed for one or two rooms is a waste of money. Customer reviews indicate some individuals use an oil-filled space heater to warm a bedroom, den, or family room. The Pelonis model I own works best in a room where the door is closed to help contain the heat. However, I also use it in my family room, which has no door, and it keeps the temperature comfortable.
An oil-filled space heater warms evenly. One of the problems with many fan-driven space heaters is they only supply heat around the ankles or calves. It’s also difficult to control the intensity, and the air blowing on the legs may be too hot or not hot enough. Radiant heat provides a more even warmth in the room. In addition, when an oil-filled space heater is turned off it still generates warmth until the oil inside cools.
An oil-filled space heater runs quietly. Fan-driven space heaters are typically noisy, and when used in a small area such as a home office, they make it hard to hear when on the phone. My oil-filled space heater has no rattling fan. Outside of hearing an occasional small popping sound when the oil first warms, there’s no sound.
It’s relatively inexpensive to purchase an oil-filled space heater. A smart shopper may find an oil-filled radiator space heater on sale for less than ten dollars, especially when looking at end-of-winter sales. Mine came from Home Depot several years ago and cost $8, on sale. I saw one two months ago at a yard sale for $12. If bought during the winter season, the oil-filled radiator space heater costs approximately $38.
In conclusion–if heating only a room or two–an oil-filled space heater might be the item that works well for you. It gives localized heat where you need it, may cost less than running a furnace, warms evenly, runs quietly, and is relatively inexpensive to purchase. So, take off those mukluks, hang up the parka, flip to the Weather Channel, and then turn on that oil-filled space heater.
(Disclaimer: All space heaters should be used with care. Read the precautions listed on the box/instruction booklet, and follow the instructions precisely. Some space heaters, if run constantly, may overheat or cause high utility bills. Due to variables such as cost of utilities, efficiency of heating units, size of rooms, length of use, etc, the author makes no guarantees of any kind, including ones of cost savings.)
Sources.
Personal experience.
Product information contained in/on Pelonis carton.
Other articles by this contributor.
Gardening Superstitions: Good Luck Superstitions About Hawthorn and Linden Trees
Precautions when Installing a Roof De-icing Cable
How to Clean Mold and Mildew Out of a Window Air Conditioner