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I have a programmable digital thermostat to control heat in my snake room. I am currently using a small 1500W electric heater (which has a fan in it). The thermostat I have can be set to be a "on/off" type thing (which I have to use because of the fan in my little heater) or it can be set to be.. uh, I forget the term now, but it would turn the heater on just a bit when temp is just a tad off, or will blast the heater if temp is way off... does this method consume less power? I would suspect that if I'd decide to use a oil-filled heater (which a lot of people seem to think consumes less power), I would have to set it to on/off, correct?

I'm thinking of getting something more efficient, but I'm currently unclear as to what would be better. Because of the thermostat I have, I was thinking a simple heating element (baseboard type heater) would be best. I have a 15" fan running all the time to circulate air in the room.

Any opinions/suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Bristen.

The heater should be re wired so the fan runs all the time with that type of setup. I would use an oilfilled heater (much safer).
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Chad Bachman

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you mean with my current setup? With my current setup, since I have the thermostat set to "on/off" mode, the heater's fan comes on whenever the heating element comes on. When the heater is shut off, then the fan stops. I don't see why I'd have to re-wire it so that the fan runs all the time?

>
I'm assuming you are saying it is safer because of lower risk of fire perhaps? I personally have no idea why it would be safer, but would be interested in hearing your opinion on the subject (or anybody else's)...

My main point of switching to something else was to get something that would be more efficient... From what I could guess, the only reason an oil-filled heater would be more efficient would just be that once the elements kick off, the oil still throws out heat...?

Thanks,
Bristen.

You would only need to re wire the fan so it is running constantly if you are using a pulse proportionate thermostat (most Helix). I always thought the oilfilled heaters saved the electric bill a little, but others say no.
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Chad Bachman

>>The heater should be re wired so the fan runs all the time with that type of setup. I would use an oilfilled heater (much safer).

oups, Kingsnake didn't like my formatting and chopped off the quotes in my previous message... anyways, I had just responded to each phrase of your post...

thanks.

Only if you want to use the pulse mode. Sorry I got a little confusing in my first post.
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Chad Bachman

"If you don't want an opinion, DON'T ASK FOR ONE!!!"

I would suggest an oil filled heater. The one I purchased has 3 different energy settings and a thermostat. Its from Wal-Mart, about $36. I think its more efficient than the one you are describing because it has heat reserves in the oil when the thermostat kicks off. This allows it to give off varying levels heat all the time.

Use an oil-filled heater with a desk fan on the same thermostat circuit. The oil-filled heaters have no moving parts and are very reliable. And as far as efficiency, they're probably about the best you can do when using electric (se the link below - and thank Google). Use the desk fan to circulate the air in the room when the heater is on. Don't point it at the heater - I have mine on low and pointed at the far corner ceiling of the room just to get air moving a little bit (otherwise the hot air tends to pool at the ceiling with the oil filled heaters).
http://www.air-n-water.com/heater-space_info.htm

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