electric fireplaces efficiency image
John
I have a home built in 2004, masonry fireplace with metal flue and a Home Depot gas log set. My question, is whether it is cheaper to run the fireplace to add a little warmth to the den or to use a ceramic type electric space heater. From what I've read, a fireplace is very inefficient. However, gas is more efficient and cheaper than electricity. You do get a fan, oscillation, etc out of the space heater, but gas is a thermally more efficient than electricity and much cheaper. I also have a solar voltaic system that covers about 50% of my normal electricity usage, so that may also skew the real equation of relative costs.
Answer
It is more efficient to use your electric space heater unless you had a fireplace insert. After reading your question it sounds like you just have a flue and not an insert. If you only have a flue and no insert is present, then most of the heat generated by the fireplace logs is going up and out the flue. Thus, it is more efficient to run the electric space heater. In addition, you have a solar voltaic system to increase the efficiency of your electric heater. However, if you had a fireplace insert and not just a flue, then it would be more efficient to burn gas rather than run the heater.
-Miller's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
It is more efficient to use your electric space heater unless you had a fireplace insert. After reading your question it sounds like you just have a flue and not an insert. If you only have a flue and no insert is present, then most of the heat generated by the fireplace logs is going up and out the flue. Thus, it is more efficient to run the electric space heater. In addition, you have a solar voltaic system to increase the efficiency of your electric heater. However, if you had a fireplace insert and not just a flue, then it would be more efficient to burn gas rather than run the heater.
-Miller's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
What would be cheaper to heat a room?
Imagine Wo
I have an upgraded heater and a/c forced air system. 80% efficiency.
I also have a gas log fireplace.
The heater/ac is in the part of the house where we sleep.
We spend 80% of our time is in our family room which has the fireplace.
In the winter the family room is normally colder than the ssleeping area.
When we run the heater we heat the entire house which seems inefficient.
so we run our gas fireplace in the family room, which is not especially efficient.
would it more efficient to buy some kind of electric radiator or heat the entire house or run the fireplace?
Answer
A lot depends on where you live and the prices of your utilities. Generally your gas fireplace should be effecient to use along with your upgraded heater-a/c. I would check your past utility bills to determine what the charge is per kilowatt of electricity and compare that to your charge for usage of natural gas. Once you have those numbers you can determine if you should purchase a space heater. I would suggest that in the summer time you turn off your pilot light on your fireplace as it normally costs about 8-15 bucks a month to have on.
A lot depends on where you live and the prices of your utilities. Generally your gas fireplace should be effecient to use along with your upgraded heater-a/c. I would check your past utility bills to determine what the charge is per kilowatt of electricity and compare that to your charge for usage of natural gas. Once you have those numbers you can determine if you should purchase a space heater. I would suggest that in the summer time you turn off your pilot light on your fireplace as it normally costs about 8-15 bucks a month to have on.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: Which is more efficient? Using a gas fireplace or an electric space heater?
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment