Just wondering if there is a major difference between the running costs of the following:
Oil-filled radiators
Halogen heaters
I read these are the cheapest to run? I know the tower heaters are 2400 watt, but would they heat a room quicker then I could turn it off?
Just need my study warm in the morning so I can study.
The main issue is cold hands, it's difficult to type with frozen fingers.(Gloves don't help if the room is freezing)
Thanks
Crap for the morning when you want instant heat, for a short time.
And sure you can set a timer to turn it off an hour before you get up, but that's a waste of power.
I prefer a radiator bar heater. Fire hazard though.
Oil heaters are amazing when you want the house warm in the distant future. But I guess if you have a good schedule and the heaters has a timer, they are a great way to go.
Heaters are extremely efficient at what they do because it's really easy to generate heat (for other electrical goods heating is undesirable and an inefficiency). So almost all energy costs no matter the heater go to heating. Running cost depends on wattage, which also determines heating power.
Only other power consumer in the appliance is if the heater has a fan, but that is minimal compared to the heating.
Get a oil radiator for a room. It will be better than a fan or a halogen one and won't dry up your sinuses.
Are you on time-of-use power or flat rate?
If TOU then have the heater on a timer so it's using offpeak power before you wake up. Oil filled would be better for this as it retains heat for a while.
If you are just sitting then the heated lap rugs are very good.
Is there any way of insulating the room? Window coverings, stopping draughts, etc?
I can only talk from my experience of course but try exercising for five or ten minutes.
Just something fun like
throwing a ball against a wall and catching it or
throwing a ball for a dog or
practice juggling.
Hands will be warmed up.
Juggling flames?
Masturbating?
Just something fun like
Confirmed.
Most Cost Effective Heating, still a revercycle. Just a initial layout is high.
Which one is good (quiet)?
I bought a 2nd hand Dimplex but it is too loud, wakes me up. Ok to use during daytime.
Black curtains.
Costs no energy nor requires buying anything extra.
I'd recommend an electric throw rug or a hot water bottle.
If you must heat the room, I'd recommend a convection panel heater. Best of both worlds - heats quick, heats quietly, cheap to run.
Oil column heaters will be slightly cheaper to run, but they're more radiant than convection heat, you'll need to sit close to it. Will take longer to warm up in the morning if it doesn't have a timer.
Cheapest is an Inverter RC aircon. Downside is $$$ and installation $$$.
I agree with these (especially heat yourself not the whole room).
But why are oil column heaters cheaper to run than panel heaters?
Once they get to temperature (which takes a while) they don't use their full "wattage"
Don’t the panel heaters have a thermostat too?
But agreed, a heater with a thermostat set somewhere below full tilt will cost less to run, albeit it will also produce less total heat.
I'd recommend an electric throw rug
It warms your body but your hands are still frozen. Hard to type.
Insulation. See where heat easily goes.
Or wrap yourself in aerogel and you would need a cooler as you could die from being cooked by your own body heat.
This may seem obvious but if you wear a hat you will feel warmer. Yesterday morning I was freezing, put a hat on and didn't feel nearly as cold, with no change in clothing or heating.
^ Found the baby boomer.
Child of Frugals…..
those plug in electric throws are also good
Leftovers from Aldi ski gear sale. Initial outlay probably cheaper than any of the options you've listed and 0 running cost.
Oil heater, turn it on when you get up (or put it on a timer to turn on an hour before you get up), put your clothes on it, have breakfast, have a shower, get dressed into warm toasty clothes with your study already on its way to being nice and warm.
I've got electric underfloor (under carpet on top of slab) heating. The whole study is toasty and it chews 1kW per hour when heating and it's timed.
Putting ozB hat on, if it's just cold fingers that bother you, get a USB powered cat blanket and put your keyboard on that. The heat should rise through/around the keyboard to keep fingers warm. Or just type faster!
"My efficient electric home" group on Facebook covers this stuff in depth.
Heat pump would be best
This. Yes to the lap rug. It provides almost instant warmth and is portable (good for snuggling up in front of the television. Bought three cheap ones at Big W about three years ago, and they're still going strong. We prefer that to the ducted heating for a whole evening.
Cover your head, scarf on neck and put on socks. Cover the vital parts that lose heat. Have a wheat heatpack on your lap. Play something like this in youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsOUv9EzKsg
Close doors & windows, buy some door snakes and stop draught. Our winter is actually quite mild compared to countries like Russia with -50C. You don't even need a heater here if you are well layered.
Layers of clothing works well. Is important when you sleep, make sure its warm so you don't lose too much heat when you wake. Cold is better for your sleep but you want to keep your core temperature up so you wake up warm.
Spend a weeks in a hot climate then move to a winter country. You can survive first few days without much clothing but as your body try to balance the Yin-Yang your body core begin to climatise. Once you are a used to the new environment you will need more clothes.
This is a misconception.
I am from a cold country, but i have never been so cold as in winter in Sydney. Mainly because the buildings here are not insulated, which makes it nearly impossible to reach warm temperatures at home.
We are used to wearing warm clothes outdoors only, not 24/7.
Im always thw 1st one at work to start wearing hoodie when the temperatures drop. You, aussies, can take a lot lower temperatures
We are talking about heating ONE ROOM
OMG! What a petty question!
We are talking a difference of cents in the year.
I think therefore that OP has it ALL WRONG!
OP should be looking at a heater that does the required job the best and that will probably be the most economical choice as well.
Fan heaters - Quick to heat up the room
Oil Heaters - great for maintaining temperatures for several hours but very slow to heat up the room
Halogen heaters - great if you want to sit in front of the heater and feel the radiant heat.
Eat Baked Beans, kill two birds!
A little ray of sunshine!
Small oil-filled radiator. Better than any fan type heater. Quieter and a "nicer" warmth as it won't feel like the air is drying out.
If you get one with a timer you can have it turn on a hour before you go into the room (keep door closed…)