During the colder months, energy bills tend to skyrocket through the roof. Central heating units can be extremely costly, and misuse of smaller, more portable heaters can also take up a large portion of your energy bill.

Learn how to stay comfortable and warm through the cold months without having to waste hundreds of dollars a month:

This is a difficult question to answer, but as a general rule, most heaters can be energy-efficient if used properly.  Space heaters are very popular because they're small, portable, and inexpensive.  Be sure to use your heater as a supplemental heat source and choose one with a thermostat so you can set it to turn off once your desired room temperature is reached. 

Here is a general overview on space heaters and how they can help you save on your energy costs this winter:

• Space heaters are great for adding supplemental heat when the main heating source is inadequate or when central heating may be too costly to install or to operate. In fact, the use of a space heater may even be less expensive to operate if it's only used to heat a small room or area, or to boost the temperature of rooms used by individuals sensitive to cold. These heaters warm up small areas like offices and homes quickly without overheating, so you don't have to worry about discomfort. Space heaters do not lose any energy through ducts or combustion, so they're considered to be almost 100% efficient. Almost all of the warmth generated by a space heater will radiate into a room.

• Space heaters have many categories, but electric space heaters are by far the most popular. Most electric space heaters use convection to heat a room.  When used as a supplemental heat source in combination with an existing central heating system, portable electric space heaters can be very affordable and can save you a lot of money.

• The use of oil-filled radiator heaters is also becoming very popular nowadays. Oil-filled heaters are safe and silent; they operate by warming up heat-conserving oil, which is then circulated throughout the coils of the radiator. These small heaters are easily portable and extremely safe, not to mention energy efficient! Radiator heaters only warm oil, not burn it, so oil never needs to be replaced and only a small amount of electricity is needed!

• Infrared heaters are great for heating up small areas as well. In fact, an infrared heater is even more energy efficient than another type of space heater because it only heat objects directly in front of it with infrared radiation similar to the sun. The infrared heat will then penetrate your skin, warm you from beneath your skin, and radiate outward.  Not only will the heater keep you warm, but it will also heat anyone near you because a portion of the heat will reflect off your skin! These units are able to save you money because you don't need to wait for them to heat up, either! These heaters can heat up a room or area very quickly, as heat is easily directed to the space being heated in a precise beam.

• Heating large industrial areas such as warehouses and workspaces tends to cost more money because the areas are normally larger and require more BTUs. By using fueled heaters such as kerosene and propane heaters, you can easily save money because these heaters usually use little to no electricity at all! However, these heaters can carry some safety hazards when used in areas without adequate ventilation. 

Did you know that choosing the right sized heater can really make a difference in your energy costs? 

• Make sure that you purchase a heater of the proper size for the room or area you wish to heat. Do not choose an oversized heater, and pay attention to watts. It is definitely a good idea to know a little bit about BTUs, watts, and volts when you are choosing a heater. With a 10/1 ratio of watts to square feet heated, a 1500 watt space heater (120 volts) will heat an insulated area of 150 square feet, and a garage heater rated at 5,000 watts should heat an area over 400 square feet. If you end up purchasing a heater that features a high wattage and a large BTU, the area you want to warm may end up becoming too hot or uncomfortable. Likewise, purchasing a heater that is too small may be inefficient and will result in more energy use.

• Be sure to optimize your heater's air flow at all times. This means that you need to keep heating units like baseboard heaters and wall heaters facing outward. If the air flow is blocked, the heater will need to use more energy and utility bills will increase. To optimize heating efficiency, keep the warm air circulating by keeping doors and windows tightly sealed. Don't switch your heater on and off; doing so will only use more energy because the heater needs to constantly warm back up. Like all appliances, turn off your heater when you're away. Try not to leave your heater on the highest setting - even space heaters can consume large amounts of energy if left on continuously!

• Instead of purchasing heaters that are too large for your bedroom or office, try using a heater from Vornado. This brand features patented Vornado technology that keeps warm air circulated throughout a room without using as much energy as larger heaters. Instead of just heating a particular person or object, Vornado heaters keep the entire area feeling warm and comfortable.

• Choose a heater with a timer or that is thermostatically controlled. Many brands, including NewAir and Soleus, offer heaters with built-in thermostats that help heaters avoid the energy waste of overheating a room.

• Take a look at a list of our most energy efficient heaters here or see below for some of our staff picks. 

• Use a tankless water heater to deliver a constant supply of hot water instead of using a hot water heater with a tank. Tankless water heaters like those from Stiebel Eltron don't standby when they are not in use, so they don't use more energy to heat back up. Not only do these units save you money, but they also keep the hot water supply constant and ready whenever you need it.

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