uugh wtf lol electric fireplace!

[mizzou]

It's an electric heater. They're all the same, with the same electric usage. It won't be better or worse than any other electric heater.

Yeah, which is why I don't use them. I used to have a dehumidifier that ran in the 1000-1500 range and it just ate the crap out of my bill...but I suppose if this was my PRIMARY heating source, electricity might be viable vs. other options. I just want to light a nice fire every so often in the winter :\
===========
k, let's start by adding up the Watts of all devices you have turned on. We'll add up these numbers:
1500
Your total wattage adds to: 1500 Watts.
Let's convert this number to kiloWatts by dividing by 1000, to get 1.5 kiloWatts.
These devices, that have been on for 24 hours, have consumed
1.5 Watts × 24 hours = 36 kWh (kiloWatt-hour) of energy.
Finally, since energy costs you $0.09/kiloWatt-hour, these devices have costed you:
36 kWh × $0.0898f/kWh = $3.23
==================

doesnt seem so bad, like $100 a month if i run it at HIGH 24/7

 

[lxskllr]

Yeah, which is why I don't use them. I used to have a dehumidifier that ran in the 1000-1500 range and it just ate the crap out of my bill...but I suppose if this was my PRIMARY heating source, electricity might be viable vs. other options. I just want to light a nice fire every so often in the winter :\
===========
k, let's start by adding up the Watts of all devices you have turned on. We'll add up these numbers:
1500
Your total wattage adds to: 1500 Watts.
Let's convert this number to kiloWatts by dividing by 1000, to get 1.5 kiloWatts.
These devices, that have been on for 24 hours, have consumed
1.5 Watts × 24 hours = 36 kWh (kiloWatt-hour) of energy.
Finally, since energy costs you $0.09/kiloWatt-hour, these devices have costed you:
36 kWh × $0.0898f/kWh = $3.23
==================

doesnt seem so bad, like $100 a month if i run it at HIGH 24/7

Keep in mind, it'll likely be cycling on and off, unless "high" means it's on full blast and doesn't cycle. That $100 would be a worst case, and should be better in actual usage. That said, I think $100 a month is high, especially for *one* appliance. Add in all your other stuff, and it'll be a good bit higher.

 

[steppinthrax]

I just kill-a-watted it, 800watts on low setting and 1500 on high. I'd rather put my big buddy heater in the house then use it :\

When you say vermont casting you mean the company? Something like this would be nice. My fireplace is about the same size, except bricks/flat stone and not round stone like this.

http://vermontcastings.com/family/Fireplaces/Wood-Burning/Merrimack/

Vermont castings are the king of wood stoves. Their units are a little pricey, but you can get them at craiglist 800 to 1000 all day long... Try to get one with a blower. You will need to drop in a liner. Some don't use a liner, it's not a good idea...

I'm talking about something like this.... http://baltimore.craigslist.org/grq/4635498966.html

 

[Iron Woode]

I never had wood burning but I would not move to the old style fireplace, they were really inefficient due to using indoor air for combustion, and overall most of the heat ended up outside.

I would love to get a high efficiency wood stove though, one that has a fresh air intake and has all the special designs inside to ensure a good combustion. Something I've been thinking about since the gas prices went up so much. The fact that a wood stove is open all around also ensures that more of the heat makes it inside. The most important thing is a fresh air intake though. If you're sucking indoor air outside you're warming up one area of the house while -40 air is entering in other areas.

They make high efficiency fireplace inserts that are over 80% efficient. I have seen one in action and it is awesome.

I have always loved a wood fireplace.

 

[Red Squirrel]

They make high efficiency fireplace inserts that are over 80% efficient. I have seen one in action and it is awesome.

I have always loved a wood fireplace.

That's very high efficient for wood. I'd have to look into that. Even the wood stoves I was looking at were rated at about 60-70%. I only did brief research online though, I'd have to actually go to a store that sells them and get more info.

 

[Iron Woode]

That's very high efficient for wood. I'd have to look into that. Even the wood stoves I was looking at were rated at about 60-70%. I only did brief research online though, I'd have to actually go to a store that sells them and get more info.

I found one at Regency Fireplace Products.

79.7% efficiency: http://www.regency-fire.com/Files/Brochures/CI2600_Brochure-Low.aspx

 

[mizzou]

I found one at Regency Fireplace Products.

79.7% efficiency: http://www.regency-fire.com/Files/Brochures/CI2600_Brochure-Low.aspx

yeah i think something like that will be nicer for my needs. I'd like a nice warm fire on occasion...and I think that would be more rewarding then a space heater

 

[Red Squirrel]

It looks like some can burn like 12 hours too... that is really tempting now. But before I spend that kind of money I should insulate my basement, that alone might do a big difference. It's just cinder blocks right now. I framed it a few years back, I need to do the electrical then once I have the money I can get it spray foamed. Could save by going with batts and vapor barrier but figured may as well do it right and foam it.