O.T. - Electric Space Heater

Hi Group.
If I wanted to get a electric heater for my small shop. Regarding the different 'brands' we see advertized. Are any really more efficent, then another. The way I look at it, more watts, more energy use.(more cost) Can one type(brand) produce 1500 watts cheaper then another type ? using electricity..
Thanks

No.

Depends on your needs, a fan to move the heat and more rapid heat, or a radient to put the heat onto nearby objects, or an oil filled to deliver slow but rock steady heat, and so forth will make a difference in how you _feel_ for the same amount of kilowatts.

So one might be more efficient than the other because you will use it less or on a lower setting.

--->Paul

Cleo how many square feet in your shop and the height of the ceiling?

It takes 1500 watts of electricity to make 1500watts/5115 btu of heat.
No difference in efficiency. Just some use slower fans and discharge a lower volume of hotter air.
Something to consider is radiant electric heat.

We have beat this to death but when asked I will still gladly provide an answer from an engineers prospective. NO WARRANTY MAYBE THE LAWS OF PHYSICS HAVE CHANGED SINCE I GRADUATED FROM PURDUE?????? never say never lol

NOTE: the heater CONSUMES electrical watts of energy (NOT produces as you asked) and converts it into heat energy......

Far as I know an electric resistance heater produces 3.41 BTU of heat energy per watt of electrical energy it uses. In accordance with the laws of physics, it doesnt create or destroy energy, it simply changes its form from electrical to heat energy. That means a typical 1500 watt electric resistance heater produces 1500 x 3.41 = 5115 BTU of heat PERIOD......

AND THATS TRUE IF ITS A $10 WALLY WORLD SPECIAL OR AN EXPENSIVE EDEN PURE

It will produce 3.41 BTU/Watt regardless

HOWEVER the Eden Pure is likely safer, perhaps better quality and looks much nicer

So its your money and your choice but dont be thinking just because you pay more and it looks nicer it will convert more electrical energy into heat then a cheaper heater or it will somehow create energy. Its still subject to the laws of phyics and conservation and conversion of energy UNLESS THE LAWS OF PHYICS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY THE EDEN PURE FOLKS!!!!!!!!!!

John T an old but still fun discussion, great question by the way

I'm sure you have seen the ads for the 'Eden Pure' heater.. That is my point/question. They claim it operates at lower cost of electricity. I do not believe that..

Eden Pure wants the supreme court to over turn the law of physics that states that 1 kw-hr = 3410 BTU's.

It will operate at a lower cost (then say 1500 watts) if its turned down to a lower setting and isnt consuming 1500 watts.

Once I was at a place they were selling those units and the plaid sport coated and white belted salesman dude proclaimed it would heat 1500 sq feet, so I asked heat it to what temperature??? and what was the ambient temperature??? and what was the insulation value HIS FACE TURNED RED LOL

Thats pretty much eight grade science and physics......If its 70 degrees outside it dont take any heat energy to keep it 70 degrees inside once stabilized,,,,,,,,but if its zero outside hmmmmmmm,,,,,,,,,and if the rooms R value is 100 versus 10, now that sorta makes a difference also. If its colder outside the heat energy inside is bad to escape there so Id say the outside temp and R value all make a difference if that heater will HEAT A 1500 SQ FEET ROOM!!!

As far as less energy, if you install a watt hour meter on a 1500 watt Eden Pure (producing 3.41 BTU/Watt) and another on a cheap wally world heater (3.41 BTU/Watt) and they both read 1500 watts/unit I DONT SEE HOW THE EDEN PURE OPERATES AT A LOWER COST ,,,,

Nuff said, John T

i do believe some of the higher priced 1500 watts units offer some advantages over the others. a better thermostat that offers a positive on/off, quieter fans, less vibration and maybe some limited kind of filtration. they may offer more/better safety features also. beyond that i would look at the application and make determinations from there.

They make some nice ceiling mounted ones that would be a lot safer and not use any floor space. Most of them are 220V and higher wattage.

The Red: It's hypothetical.

John T, Thank You very much.

i personally use a wall mounted electric infared heater in my shop,and ive really liked it...One thing to look for in any heater is the amount of recovered heat. eden pure and those types claim to be more effecient simply because they are better at transfering heat from the heat exchanger to the incoming colder air. as far as wattage /btu goes they are the same,one that transfers heat better is simply more effecient because they run less. i have a good freind who swears by those eden pure heaters,but i have no first hand knowledge if one would be more cost effecient than another, only what he claims. i know for a fact he uses two in about a 2500 sq ft home and it keeps it comfortable on some really miserably cold days.