Space Heating

Space heating is ideal if it is used to supplement the main heating system. It becomes expensive when it is used as a primary heat source. An example of this is an addition you put on your home. Normally the heat from the rest of the home is sufficient to make the addition comfortable. However on very cold days you need a space heater. This is very cost effective. On the other hand, the only way to get comfortable in the addition is to use a space heater, and then it is not cost effective. Another example is a spare bedroom over the garage. The only source of heat is a space heater and it is used only when you have guest. It is very cost effective, however, if your grandson were to move in with you for a prolong period of time it is not cost effective. You should read all manufacturers instructions on the proper use of these appliances before using them for yours and others safety.

The two most commonly used fuels for space heating are electric and wood. Gas is used but not as widely as those two. Most people know of the different kinds and the concerns with space heating. What this topic is going to discuss are the kinds most people are not aware of. Electric space heating is by far the most versatile of all the kinds of space heating. An example of this is a radiant electric space heater for areas like a bathroom, family room and/or kitchen. This could be use elsewhere. The one that impressed me the most was an application in a bathroom. The problem with this particular bathroom was not only was it spacious, luxurious with vaulted ceilings and large atrium windows, the walls and the floor were marble. The amenities and the large whirl tub did not cause any discomfort for the occupants. The discomfort came when using the shower stall. Getting into and out of it felt like stepping into a freezer during the winter. The problem presented to me was to resolve this with the least amount of intrusion on the bathroom, at the least possible cost to do and the most energy efficient method.

This bathroom was larger than my living room. The shower stall was the size of a foyer. It was so large it needed two floor drains. Six people could take a shower at the same time and not touch each other. The his and hers marble sinks cost more than my dining room set. Because of the design of the bathroom and where the shower stall was located the solution was not that difficult. When exiting the shower there were marble walls immediately to the left and in front of you. The factors for the discomfort were the difference in temperature in the shower after using it and the temperature of the bathroom. The evaporation of the moisture on their skin and their proximity to the marble walls when exiting. The solution was to install a three by six-foot mirror on the marble wall that faced them when exiting the shower. Inside the mirror there would be an electric radiant heating element. This would not have been expensive to do except for the material they wanted to use for the mirror. In fact the mirror they chose cost more than the solution.

Most people think putting something on the floor resolves the shivering you experience when getting out of the shower. You'll find out the next time you take a shower that you barely notice the floor temperature and yet you'll still be shivering. Radiant wall heat is the best way to eliminate the shivering and is used quite widely in Europe. Shortly after this was done, they gave me a call to tell me the problem was solved. Also they wanted to know why that mirror did not fog up like the rest of the mirrors in the bathroom. Click on one of the pictures below to find out more about in floor electric heating or mirror defoggers.

Other unique applications for space heating are electric heater installed in kick plate under kitchen sink. The heater had a timer that came on in the morning to heat up the floor located just in front of the kitchen sink. Electric radiant floor heater to extend the use of a three-season porch. There are so many applications for space heating and these are just a few. The point that I'm trying to make here is space heating can be very cost effective if it is applied properly.