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the big temperature dilemna revisited

robeyeshua221 Nov 06, 2010 11:04 AM

small "breeder" - for fum mostly - set up shop in a large - probably 120 sq.ft walk in closet - big house - have a 10,000 doll ar hvas unit in my house - zoned sytem, ie. i can set one of 3 different tstats - each one contrilling a veratin zone or area in my house - i said all that to suggest that i am blessed to have as good a beginning point as really could be expected - SO - my question is - - -what is the best, safest, cheapest, most practical way to heat, in the winter, the closet to a nice ambient temp that would allow my uth's to do their job - each choice potentially creates other issues - there are humidity concerns of course - so - i need ambient around 80 - as i expect most everyone else does too - how do i get it amd maintain comfortable temps in the balance of that "zone" - which happens to be my bedroom, bathroom and closet? - an oil filled heater?? - the their are potentially amperage issues if you claculate total wattage for 6 pads - numerous light, hair dryer, tv , etc then to add a high wattage oil filled - long post i know but how are others doing it - not big breeders - i know they have "rooms" just for their operation, but small operators, breeders, and hobby owners

Replies (2)

Bigtattoo Nov 06, 2010 12:44 PM

I use the oil filled heaters. In that small an area you probably won't have it on high to maintain temps. Those little suckers really put out some heat. Electrical consumption most likely won't be an issue.
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BigT
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markg Nov 08, 2010 12:08 PM

Oil-filled radiator heaters are the most efficient heaters. A small one is around $80. However, 120sq ft is pretty small for an oil-filled heater - they can heat much larger spaces. So such a heater will hardly be on very much to heat that room.

My advice is to use a Ranco or Johnson ON/OFF controller as a safety in case the on-board thermostat on the heater should fail. Especially in a small room like that.

Just for comparison, I have an outdoor insulated shed that is closer to 100 sq ft. I use a $25 portable ceramic room heater set on half-wattage, and that alone keeps the shed around 75 deg being on a miniscule amount of time during the day (outside temp has been 50-65 deg). I can get the shed to 80 plus easily -I just choose not to.

My shed is pretty well insulated, so it probably matches more closely to a closet inside a house.

Ceramic room heaters smell like they are burining for a few weeks of use, and then gradually produce less odor (alot like RHPs). I advise if using one to let it run for an hour a day for a week or so before putting it inside a closet to reduce the odor generated.
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Mark

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