COPYRIGHT 2017 JAMES DULLEY ( www.dulley.com/sea/ ) - November 2017 - (graphics ref. No. 901u at www.dulley.com/sea/column/2017-nov.htm ) "Select the best electric space heater type for various rooms, uses and overall savings" Dear Jim: I have seen ads stating using their electric space heaters will cut my electric bills. Is this true and which types of space heater are best for various uses and rooms? - Vicki G. Dear Vicki: Running an electric space heater to selectively heat a room or two can actually save energy overall, even if you have an efficient heat pump. The keyword here is "selectively". Some ads exaggerate the savings by giving the impression their expensive space heater or two can heat your entire house. A five percent savings is reasonable to expect. Standard 110-volt space heaters can produce maximum heat of about 5,100 Btu/hour. A heat pump produces three times as much heat as a space heater per dollar on your eclectic bill. The only way to save overall with a space heater is if you set the central heat pump thermostat several degrees lower. Depending upon your climate, you can expect to save about two to three percent of your heating bills for each degree you lower the thermostat setting. That savings will more than offset the electricity used by the resistance heating of the space heaters to keep just one or two rooms toasty warm. The actual efficiency (Btu of heat per watt-hours of electricity used) of all electric space heaters is the same. This is true for the inexpensive $20 ribbon heaters and the very expensive so-called "furnaces". All of the electricity used becomes heat, so all models are effectively 100 percent efficient as compared to a gas or oil heating appliance where some heat is lost out the flue pipe. The type and design of electric space heater does impact your savings and comfort. The size of the room, number of people and specific activities determine which type is your best choice. For example, are you looking for quiet heat in a bedroom at night, heat for just one person watching TV in an easy chair, for a group of people in a large room, etc.? Your basic choices are direct radiant and convection (air circulation) space heaters with each having its advantages. Within each group, there are many comfort features and options which may impact your decision. If you have young children, there may also be some extra safety considerations. Radiant style units produce quick heat. These use a red-hot ribbon, quartz or carbon tubes to produce infrared heat similar to the sun's rays. They are designed to heat people directly in front of them. Carbon tubes produce far-infrared heat which penetrates objects and skin slightly below the surface. This makes it very comfortable, effective heat. Radiant heaters are quiet and are ideal for heating a specific spot. One should be no more than eight feet away with you in a range of 20 degrees from direct center for the best comfort. I am using one while I write this column. To heat a slightly larger area, such as a sofa, select a model which automatically oscillates. Convection heaters heat the room air, so it takes longer to feel the effect. Most models use a built-in fan to circulate room air over the heating elements so they make some noise. Oil-filled, radiator-style heaters use natural air circulation (hot air rises) to move the room air gently over the heat source. A horizontal model along a wall by the bed is ideal for bedrooms. For a living room, which is often the largest room in the house, consider a convection-style heater. This will heat the entire room more effectively. If you typically sit in one chair, a mirrored or decorative radiant wall panel is effective and quiet, but it cannot easily be moved. When choosing a convection heater, select one with a three-speed fan and a thermostat for comfort. Pay attention to the thermostat type. A "programmable" thermostat usually means you can select a temperature setting and it will cycle on and off to maintain it. An "adjustable" thermostat means it can maintain a heat output level, but not a particular desired room temperature. A ceramic convection heater uses small heating discs which never get extremely hot. There are no red hot heating elements. If it gets knocked over or the air flow gets blocked, the heating output automatically drops making it safer around children. The following companies offer electric space heaters: Delonghi, (800) 322-3848, www.delonghi.com; Holmes Products, (800) 546-5637 www.holmesproducts.com, KAZ/Honeywell, (800) 477-0457, www.kaz.com; Lasko, www.laskoproducts.com, (800) 233-0268; and Warmly Yours, (800) 875-5285, www.warmlyyours.com. Dear Jim: - I cut a couple of 3-inch holes in the drywall to pour in additional wall insulation. What is the easiest way to fix these holes? - Charlie M. Dear Charlie: One way to fix a hole is to enlarge it (large enough to get your hand through) and square it up. Using drywall screws, attach 1x3 backer boards (top and bottom behind the square hole) with about one inch showing. Cut a square drywall patch piece and place it in the hole against the backer boards. Use more drywall screws to secure it to the boards. Finish the edges with drywall tape and joint compound. Allow the compound to dry and sand it smooth between coats. Send inquiries to James Dulley, Publication Name, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.