Please recommend me a space heater

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Amazon's page says the manufacturer's 5 year warranty is in effect. My ringup (if I confirm): 738.66 at amazon, USD including tax.

I see $719 less a $50 coupon which brings it down to $669

 

[herm0016]

the Mr. Cool units seem to be well regarded in the DIY space, i am planning on using them in my pole barn when it goes up in the spring.

they also have a new geothermal heat pump that is made in USA that I would love to put in the house.

the cheaper they are, the less efficient and some will only provide heat down to freezing, which would be fine in Berkley, but totally useless here.

 

[Torn Mind]

But, you became a Mariah fan. I would say that is a serious side effect.

It's called understanding a higher power.

And besides, I was admiring her influence before I realized it. Whereas, I came across Beethoven first and then discovered the likes of Mendelssohn, I found Mariah's "Mendelssohn" first and eventually worked backwards in time.

"Catalyst"?, I don't need no stinking catalyst!, I just strap one of these to a full tank and let her roar to life, 18,000 BTU at max output, not a great idea if kids or curious pets are around.

lol, you're bolder than me.

 

[lxskllr]

Thinking about it, I'd get a pellet stove if I lived where Muse does. Can't beat real fire for feel, and I wouldn't be surprised if he already had an easy exhaust pipe to hook to.

 

[Muse]

I see $719 less a $50 coupon which brings it down to $669

Yes, but the tax is $68.67 which is where I got my total.

 

[Muse]

Thinking about it, I'd get a pellet stove if I lived where Muse does. Can't beat real fire for feel, and I wouldn't be surprised if he already had an easy exhaust pipe to hook to.

Hmm. My sister had something like that in the middle of her living room some years ago until she got rid of it, some 3 miles from me, in Oakland. I have a fireplace in the living room and I sometimes in cold weather fire it up with more or less wood. If my hands feel real cold it's a nice way to warm them up. It doesn't appear to do anything for the warmth in the house. I've never cleaned the flu. I have loads of firewood from my hacking at my two un-dwarf plum trees, which are not 1/2 the size they used to be. Been thinking very seriously for years of just eliminating those two trees entirely. I could cut them to the ground, don't know about removing the stumps. They must be 60-70+ years old. I've made all the plum jam I can possible consume.

Recently I've taken to wearing an N95 mask when making a fire. The particulates from the fires aren't healthy. It does stink up that part of the house some, but that dissipates in a few days and I sort of ignore it. I also put the ashes on the vegetables in my yard, lots of potassium there, probably some phosphorus too.

 

[Muse]

It's called understanding a higher power.

And besides, I was admiring her influence before I realized it. Whereas, I came across Beethoven first and then discovered the likes of Mendelssohn, I found Mariah's "Mendelssohn" first and eventually worked backwards in time.

Mendelssohn is quite great. IMO there are 1/2 dozen other great romantic composers, not even counting Beethoven. Um, Mariah isn't on my radar... no opinion at all about that.

 

[lxskllr]

An open hearth looks fantastic, but it's almost worse than nothing for heating the house.

 

[dullard]

"Catalyst"?, I don't need no stinking catalyst!, I just strap one of these to a full tank and let her roar to life, 18,000 BTU at max output, not a great idea if kids or curious pets are around.

That is nothing, I use the dual burner kind to heat up my garage. I work out in my garage a couple times per week, and when the wind chills are below 0°F (below -17°C) like it is right now, it comes in handy. I turn both burners on, change into my workout gear, and by the time I am back, the garage is quite bearable for working out. It is the equivalent of running 6 normal space heaters on high at the same time. Note: I turn it off during the workout and the garage is insulated but properly ventilated.

Dyna-Glo Double Burner 30,000 BTU Radiant Tank Top Propane Portable Heater TT30000M - The Home Depot

The Dyna-Glo TT30000M Double Burner Tank Top Heater generates radiant heat that warms people and objects rather than the air. It is a portable heating solution that is perfect for indoor (with proper ventilation) and outdoor construction use. Rated at 9,000 15,000-BTUs, the TT30000M heats up to...

www.homedepot.com

According to the manual, "This is a direct-fired tank top construction heater for either indoor construction or outdoor use". I wouldn't suggest it for indoor use, but it can be done. https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/c7/c73a5448-b043-44c0-9ef3-d592675b8836.pdf

 

[BUTCH1]

That is nothing, I use the dual burner kind to heat up my garage. I work out in my garage a couple times per week, and when the wind chills are below 0°F (below -17°C) like it is right now, it comes in handy. I turn both burners on, change into my workout gear, and by the time I am back, the garage is quite bearable for working out. It is the equivalent of running 6 normal space heaters on high at the same time. Note: I turn it off during the workout and the garage is insulated but properly ventilated.

Dyna-Glo Double Burner 30,000 BTU Radiant Tank Top Propane Portable Heater TT30000M - The Home Depot

The Dyna-Glo TT30000M Double Burner Tank Top Heater generates radiant heat that warms people and objects rather than the air. It is a portable heating solution that is perfect for indoor (with proper ventilation) and outdoor construction use. Rated at 9,000 15,000-BTUs, the TT30000M heats up to...

www.homedepot.com

According to the manual, "This is a direct-fired tank top construction heater for either indoor construction or outdoor use". I wouldn't suggest it for indoor use, but it can be done. https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/c7/c73a5448-b043-44c0-9ef3-d592675b8836.pdf

LOL, awesome!, yea, I looked at the double's, ( and they also sell triples!), but I'm here in FL and winters are mild, typical
"cold" night for us is around 40-45 degrees so a single, running at lowest setting, keeps a 1,300 Sq ft house at about 72. I have a central electric heater that's part of the the AC system but it's not a heat pump, just basically a 5,000 watt element that uses the duct's to dispense the warm air. Problem is it gobbles energy like mad and the $20 propane
heater can go for 3-4 nights running on low.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I have a fireplace in the living room and I sometimes in cold weather fire it up with more or less wood. If my hands feel real cold it's a nice way to warm them up. It doesn't appear to do anything for the warmth in the house. I've never cleaned the flu.

I'd be considering an insert. All the value of wood burning stove, but much less heat loss out the roof and less smoke intrusion in the house.

 

[Muse]

An open hearth looks fantastic, but it's almost worse than nothing for heating the house.

It also heats you up with infrared if you're close enough. I've done it I guess dozens of times here.

 

[snoopy7548]

By the time you actually decide what to buy, it will be summer.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I'd be considering an insert. All the value of wood burning stove, but much less heat loss out the roof and less smoke intrusion in the house.

Yeah old style fireplace are practically like having a giant exhaust fan sucking all your heat out. You'll get some heat from the radiance of the fire but it's not actually heating much else and causing all the cold to get into the house. Even with a wood stove you want to ensure you get one that has a fresh air intake option, and use it. This goes for any combustion appliance such as a furnace too. Goal is to heat the air in the house, and keep that air in the house.

 

[ultimatebob]

If you're still thinking space heater, I kinda like something like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-755320-Ceramic-Digital-Display/dp/B000TTV2QS/ref=sr_1_5?brr=1&qid=1641526660&rd=1&s=home-garden&sr=1-5

https://www.amazon.com/Overheating-Protection-Programmable-Thermostat-Oscillating/dp/B09NQYP586/ref=sr_1_1?brr=1&pd_rd_r=a658a2ef-b86c-43bb-ac5b-0a42c2ddb12d&pd_rd_w=QAax0&pd_rd_wg=xZRNN&qid=1641526085&rd=1&rnid=510182&s=home-garden&sr=1-1

That should be fairly quiet, lower power, and shouldn't smell like brunt plastic once it's warmed up.

 

[Muse]

By the time you actually decide what to buy, it will be summer.

I bought two space heaters this week, first heaters I've bought in my life. It's still winter. Guess you didn't read the thread. Well, take a look around, you might like it.

 

[snoopy7548]

I bought two space heaters this week, first heaters I've bought in my life. It's still winter. Guess you didn't read the thread. Well, take a look around, you might like it.

You're right - I just skimmed the first page and jumped to the last.

 

[skyking]

I have an old football helmet heater looking thing that I got at a flea market. the tag said $10, works!
It has the dial thermostat and 3 heat settings. Any heater that has a dial thermostat is ok in my book. If you do have a fan failure the thermostat will protect you. I have another that just has the 3 heats and I won't trust that thing, even though it would presumably have an overheat protection.
Muse, you need a mini split heat pump. DIY they are really cheap and ever so nice in all seasons.

I installed two 12,000 BTU units and they heat and cool a ~1300 sq.ft. home for about 360 days of the year. I run the central heat when it gets below 20 degrees overnight, that has been about 5 days this season.
https://www.pioneerminisplit.com/co...lit-air-conditioner-heat-pump-system-full-set

 

[Muse]

I have an old football helmet heater looking thing that I got at a flea market. the tag said $10, works!
It has the dial thermostat and 3 heat settings. Any heater that has a dial thermostat is ok in my book. If you do have a fan failure the thermostat will protect you. I have another that just has the 3 heats and I won't trust that thing, even though it would presumably have an overheat protection.
Muse, you need a mini split heat pump. DIY they are really cheap and ever so nice in all seasons.

I installed two 12,000 BTU units and they heat and cool a ~1300 sq.ft. home for about 360 days of the year. I run the central heat when it gets below 20 degrees overnight, that has been about 5 days this season.
https://www.pioneerminisplit.com/co...lit-air-conditioner-heat-pump-system-full-set

So, you have two 12,000 BTU mini split heat pump units PLUS central heating? I was wondering if that makes sense, i.e. have central heating but only use it when the heat pump solution isn't adequate. My house is somewhat bigger at 1925 sq.ft., also likely not particularly insulated if at all.

I did a sort of survey of space heaters at Amazon last night and I couldn't find a single one that had 3 heat settings! This amazes me. The Holmes I mentioned in the first post of two I made in this thread that was made in Oct. 1994 has 3 heat settings, plus a thermostat. I'm not sure the thermostat works, I haven't got any evidence it does. It oscillates optionally, although the switch seems to be stuck in the on position. Yesterday I found a more recent Holmes for sale (I think from ~2012) used on Ebay that apparently has 3 heat settings, thermostat, oscillates, remote. I figure there's some chance that the low heat setting is less than the minimum 750watts I'm seeing in new heaters, because my other Holmes low setting is ~450w, so I bought it. Many of the latest space heaters have 1500w and 900w, period. I really prefer one with a low setting, not medium. Until I work something else out, space heaters will help me get through the colder days. Funny thing is it almost feels like spring here now, except for the short and sometimes pretty dark days. Just a week ago, it was 10F colder.

I've gotta look into those heat pumps.

 

[skyking]

yes, the house has central heat only. We air conditioned it with a couple of small window units for 15 years or so, then I put in he mini splits. They are a fine solution. The new home will have a geothermal heat pump, but that is a big project for the average homeowner. The mini splits are easy.

 

[Sukhoi]

@Muse I wouldn't worry about back-up heat for the heat pump. Berkeley doesn't get cold enough to need it.

 

[skyking]

Agreed^

 

[Muse]

@Muse I wouldn't worry about back-up heat for the heat pump. Berkeley doesn't get cold enough to need it.

I was thinking about resale value of the house. My usage is mine, I'm just one guy. I figure the folks who will want my house the most are a largish family! When I moved in here there were 5 other people here, we each had our own bedroom! They are mostly small, mine is 9'10" x 9'10" with a couple closet type things in addition. One's a decent size bedroom, others not as big, more like mine. One's a peculiar affair with two doors, one leading to the back stairs upper area, the other to the front stairs upper foyer. I have a home theater setup in there, but it could be used for a bedroom if needed, it was when other people lived here. Well, I suppose I could just do what makes sense for me and let heating be solved by a buyer in accordance with their needs.

I have to research heat pumps, gonna check out videos, I figure a good way to get my bearings.

 

[Muse]

The baseboard heater I have is an Intertherm Softheat II, and looks to be this:

Intertherm Softheat II Hydronic Portable Baseboard Heater for Sale in Ruston, WA - OfferUp

Used (normal wear), 62 inch brown hydronic baseboard heater. Works fine. . Make an offer!;

offerup.com

As you can see, it has 3 settings, High, Medium and Low (and Off, of course). It has a polarized plug. I've never plugged it in. Is this oil filled? It's heavy, I'm guessing 20lb or more. Big, at 74 inches long.

 

[Torn Mind]

I was thinking about resale value of the house. My usage is mine, I'm just one guy. I figure the folks who will want my house the most are a largish family! When I moved in here there were 5 other people here, we each had our own bedroom! They are mostly small, mine is 9'10" x 9'10" with a couple closet type things in addition. One's a decent size bedroom, others not as big, more like mine. One's a peculiar affair with two doors, one leading to the back stairs upper area, the other to the front stairs upper foyer. I have a home theater setup in there, but it could be used for a bedroom if needed, it was when other people lived here. Well, I suppose I could just do what makes sense for me and let heating be solved by a buyer in accordance with their needs.

I have to research heat pumps, gonna check out videos, I figure a good way to get my bearings.

Who knows, your house might get bulldozed and replaced, although Cali is quite nosy and such a buyer would need a fortune. You might live another 25 years and thus the heat pump you get now might be unceremoniously replaced anyway(or stolen).