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-   -   Electric Space Heater Efficiency (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=282747)

  • Nov 19, 2008, 07:48 AM
    45auto
    Electric Space Heater Efficiency
    With the large variety of electric space heaters out there purporting to be the "best, and most efficient" such as the Eden Pure, and others, I cannot for the life of me see where one is better than another. Watts is watts, right? P=EXI every time? I don't think the power usage is more or less efficient from a 1500w $40.00 space heater using a standard resistance heating element OR the Eden Pure ones using the same wattage but using an infrared tube... (or something similar)... Anyone help me out here?
    I would give you that a radiant heat one one might be more efficient that one using a fan, but only by the wattage of the motor...

    Thanks very much
  • Nov 19, 2008, 08:07 AM
    dac122

    You are correct.

    They are all about the same efficiency of 100%. The only way I know to go over 100% efficiency is with a Heat Pump and that's because its not making heat but just moving it (aka a transfer engine).
  • Nov 19, 2008, 08:14 AM
    45auto
    I agree...
    Heat pumps are the only thing I can think of that give more than a dollars worth of heat for a dollars worth of electricity.
    Problem is, advertisers bamboozle people into thinking otherwise.
    Thanks for the answer, it reinforces my thinking.
    Mike
  • Nov 19, 2008, 08:24 AM
    dac122
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by 45auto View Post
    Problem is, advertisers bamboozle people into thinking otherwise.

    Yes, just open the Sunday paper's Parade section and you'll see a ridiculous add about Omish electric heaters. I agree the Omish have some things correct, but they really shouldn't hitch their wagon (no pun intended) to this nonsense.

    Interestingly, my father-in-law is an electrician and my mother-in-law seems to think their electric space heat they just bought is saving them gobs of money. Even well educated people forget the laws of physics just cannot be broken.

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