Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just wondering how everybody else does this? All my animals are in the basement, and with winter fast aproaching, just trying to find out all my options. It's not a large room at all, but I don't want to have a space heater going all night either. Those things are far too expensive to be running like that. Any and all suggestions or advice is welcome. And thanks in advance for any replies.

Kevin

I have used the oil-filled, radiator style space heaters with good success. They are electric but are fairly efficient.

I covered the walls, ceiling and door of a 7'x7' garage room with Reflectix insulation and easily heated the room with one of these heaters at it's lowest setting. That was during a winter in South Dakota with no other wall insulation so it can be done.

But, electric heat is getting expensive in some parts of the country, especially with natural gas prices going up. This may not work for you.

One thing I have thought about is a pellet heater, but they don't work if the power goes out. That would be a nice feature to have with the amount of money they cost. There are cheap kerosene heaters but they are not as safe and don't have a way to vent the gases.

Tough call. I used to always recommend the space heaters described above but it really depends on your area and situation.

I use an oil filled heater like Chris. I think with it running 24/7 it upped my electric bill by only around 10-15 a month. Plus it works great and I shut off my belly heat except for 4 days after the animals are fed.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

Like Chris I live in an area that endures cold winters (North Dakota). Last year my reptile room was in an uninsluated basement room, this year it has been insulated although not entirly finished. Regardless I still use the oil-filled radient heater like both Chris and Randy mentioned. I don't use them for sole heat source but just to keep the ambient room temps up. The cages them selves are heated and the system works well.

No matter the heat source you are stilll going to have to pay in the end. With electric heat the bill is high and so goes the price, and gas goes up to be comparitive. The third option is a cheap source of heat but requires an expensve initial investment as well as major construction. By this I mean Geo-thermal heat.

What ever you decide I recommend the refectix wrap that Chris has refered. I use this item as well and its insulation properties are amazing.

Good luck and save for those bills!
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

Hey, thanks everybody for all the input so far. I will definitely be looking into some of that insulation, and get a oil filled heater. All other options are more than welcome as well.

Kevin

Kevin,
If you have a target near you they have the oil heaters on sale this week for 24.99..
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www.MGReptiles.com
Professional Reptile Heating Supplies

Thanks for the tip, unfortunately I live up in the great white north of Canada. Calgary more specifically, but I don't believe we have a Target near us. Thanks again.

Kevin

Hi. You can also find the oil filled space heater at Walmart. I purchased one that has a thermostat. If you live in a remote area there is always ebay or you can order from walmart or target online. I've used them in the past and like everyone else mentioned they work. I left mine on 24/7 last winter and my electric bill didn't go up much at all.