is it cheaper to run space heater or furnace

Space Heaters vs. Furnaces: Which Saves You More Money?

(is it cheaper to run space heater or furnace)

Keeping your home warm doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Many people wonder: is it cheaper to run a space heater or your central furnace? The answer isn’t always simple. It depends on several factors like your home size, local energy costs, and how you use heat. Let’s break down the costs and benefits of using a space heater versus your furnace. This guide helps you make smart choices about heating your space efficiently and affordably.

1. What is a Space Heater and What is a Furnace?

A space heater is a small, portable device. It heats a specific area or room directly. You plug it into a regular electrical outlet. Space heaters work fast. They provide immediate warmth right where you point them. Common types include ceramic heaters, infrared heaters, oil-filled radiators, and fan-forced heaters. Each type uses electricity to generate heat locally. They are ideal for personal use or heating a small space quickly.

A furnace is a central heating system. It heats your entire house. Furnaces are usually powered by natural gas, propane, oil, or sometimes electricity. The furnace burns fuel. This creates heat. A blower fan pushes this warm air through ducts. The ducts deliver heat to different rooms via vents. Furnaces are built into your home’s infrastructure. They provide whole-house heating. Turning on the furnace warms up multiple rooms at once.

2. Why Consider a Space Heater Over Your Furnace?

Cost is a big reason. Running your whole furnace uses a lot of fuel or electricity. Heating every room gets expensive. If you only need heat in one room, a space heater might be cheaper. It heats just the area you’re using. You avoid wasting energy warming empty rooms. This is called zone heating. It can lead to significant savings on your energy bill.

Convenience is another factor. Space heaters are easy to move. You can take them from room to room. They start heating almost instantly. No waiting for the whole house to warm up. Furnaces take longer. They must heat the air, push it through ducts, and fill the entire space. Space heaters offer immediate comfort right where you sit. They give you direct control over your personal warmth. This makes them perfect for home offices, bedrooms, or living rooms when you’re the only one there.

3. How Do You Calculate the Real Cost Difference?

Figuring out which is cheaper requires some math. You need to know your energy costs. Electricity is usually priced per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Natural gas or propane is often priced per therm or cubic foot. Start by finding these rates on your utility bill.

Next, check the power of your devices. A typical space heater uses 1,500 watts. Running it for one hour uses 1.5 kWh. Multiply this by your electric rate. If electricity costs $0.15 per kWh, running the heater costs about $0.225 per hour. Your furnace has a different rating, often in BTUs per hour. A medium furnace might use 100,000 BTUs per hour. Convert BTUs to therms (1 therm = 100,000 BTU). If gas costs $1.50 per therm, running the furnace costs $1.50 per hour.

But, this is the cost to run the furnace continuously. It doesn’t run non-stop. It cycles on and off to maintain temperature. Also, the furnace heats the whole house. The space heater heats one room. To compare fairly, estimate the furnace cost for heating just that one room. This is tricky. Generally, heating a single room with a space heater is cheaper than running the furnace to heat the entire house, especially if other rooms are empty.

4. Applications: When is a Space Heater the Best Choice?

Space heaters excel in specific situations. Use them for zone heating. This means heating only the occupied rooms. For example, heat your home office while you work. Turn down the furnace thermostat. Let the space heater keep you warm. Do this in bedrooms at night too. Heat only the bedroom you sleep in. Keep the rest of the house cooler. This strategy saves a lot of money.

They are great for small spaces. Heating a large room or open floor plan with a space heater is hard. It might not get warm enough. Or it uses too much electricity trying. Space heaters work best in enclosed rooms like studies, small bedrooms, or bathrooms. They are perfect for taking the chill off a cold room quickly. Also, use them in rooms far from the furnace thermostat. These rooms often feel colder. A space heater boosts the warmth right where you need it. They are also useful in workshops, garages, or sunrooms not connected to the central heat.

5. FAQs: Your Space Heater and Furnace Questions Answered

Is it safe to leave a space heater on all night? Generally, no. Most safety experts advise against it. Space heaters can pose fire risks if unattended or if something flammable gets too close. Use them while you are awake and present. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Newer models have safety features like tip-over switches and overheat protection. But caution is still key.

Can I use a space heater to avoid turning on my furnace? Yes, strategically. If you are spending time in one room, lower your furnace thermostat. Use the space heater to heat just that room. This avoids heating empty spaces. It can reduce your overall heating bill. However, if you need the whole house warm, the furnace is usually more efficient.

Do space heaters use a lot of electricity? They can. A standard 1,500-watt heater uses significant power. Running it constantly adds up. Compare it to your furnace’s energy use. Often, heating a single room with electricity costs less than heating the whole house with gas. But heating many rooms individually with separate heaters would likely be more expensive than using the furnace.

Are newer furnaces more efficient than space heaters? Modern high-efficiency furnaces are very good. They convert more fuel into heat. But they still heat the entire house. A space heater’s efficiency is nearly 100% at converting electricity to heat in one spot. The real efficiency difference comes from heating only the space you need. For targeted warmth, a space heater avoids the losses associated with ductwork and heating unused areas.

(is it cheaper to run space heater or furnace)

What type of space heater is most cost-effective? It depends. Oil-filled radiator heaters retain heat well. They stay warm even after turning off. Infrared heaters heat objects directly. They feel warm quickly. Ceramic heaters are common and effective. Look for models with thermostats and timers. These help control usage and avoid wasting energy. Choose one suited to your room size and needs.