Space Heater vs. Furnace
To space heat or not to space heat, that is the question.
To answer that, let’s first address some common misconceptions about the use of space heaters, which will help you understand how to use them smartly.
- Space heaters are smaller than furnaces, so they cost less to run.
This is factually true, but it’s kind of like saying your electric bicycle costs less to run than your vehicle. If you’re going to get the same energy output from a space heater as your natural gas furnace, it’s going to cost about three times as much.
- Space heaters are electric, and therefore, will cost you more money than your gas furnace.
As mentioned, to get the same amount of heat energy (BTUs) as your furnace, space heaters will cost you more money. Smart use of space heaters will use less energy.
The truth is that both of those things can be true, but neither is always true. Smart space heater use can be advantageous with a little math and a smart strategy. The key is to find a compromise between the two misconceptions and that is where a little math comes in.
The Energy Coach, Craig Lay, is an Energy Solutions Specialist at CoServ, where he is dedicated to guiding Members and Customers toward optimizing their homes’ energy efficiency. With 7 years of experience in the energy industry, Craig combines his expertise and passion for energy conservation to help individuals make informed decisions for their families and homes.
Doing the Math
A typical 80% AFUE natural gas furnace burns approximately 1 Ccf of natural gas per hour. The current price of gas is a little over $1 per Ccf (the current rate for gas can always be found on CoServ.com/Rates). Now you can calculate your gas heat as using about $1 per furnace per hour. Your furnace or furnaces should be designed to heat your whole home effectively. A properly sized natural gas heating system is the most cost-effective way to heat your whole home.
As for space heaters, a typical unit is 1,500 watts. You can convert that to 1.5 kWh to match utility pricing standards. The standard rate per kWh at CoServ is 12.23 cents, plus/minus the PCRF and SCRF. Thus, you can calculate that one space heater uses about 20 cents per heater, per hour. Obviously, that is less than a gas furnace, but here’s the rub: a 1,500-watt space heater typically can heat between 125 and 200 sq/ft. So, by the time you get to 1,000 sq/ft, you’ve matched the approximate cost of a single gas furnace.
Smart Strategy
So, now that the math is out of the way, we can talk strategy. If you can significantly limit the use of your main furnaces and replace that usage with one or two space heaters, you could see significant savings.
For instance, if you have a small number of people in your household or are only actively using a smaller portion of your house, it may make sense to run your furnace less and use space heaters.
Every home is different, and each family is unique. There is no single strategy that will apply to everyone, but with the comparisons and strategies we’ve discussed, you can make the right decision for your winter heating needs.
The Energy Coach, Craig Lay, is an Energy Solutions Specialist at CoServ, where he is dedicated to guiding Members and Customers toward optimizing their homes’ energy efficiency. With 7 years of experience in the energy industry, Craig combines his expertise and passion for energy conservation to help individuals make informed decisions for their families and homes.