While looking up ideas to cut back the heating bill, I came across the idea of zone heating. Zone heating involves turning the thermostat back to 55 degrees (double brrrr!) and using space heaters in the rooms you spend your time in. According to 10-Minute Energy-Saving Secrets by Jerri Farris, "Zone heating works best in homes where only one or two people are living. If there are more people in the house, you could be heating so many rooms at once that you'd be better off using the main system."
Well, Bill and I add up to two people living in this big ol' house. During the day, I spend my time almost exclusively in my second floor office. So I'm thinking it might be wise to use supplemental heat in here while it is just me at home. If I switch the direction of the ceiling fan blades so they turn clockwise, then I can redirect the hot air (that naturally rises) back down toward the floor, keeping my tootsies toasty. This just might be the answer to lowering my heating bills in a somewhat eco-friendly way.
Of course, the issue now becomes what type of space heater will I use. According to Farris, the most efficient type of supplemental heat would be a radiant heater with a thermostat that will power the unit down when the desired temperature is met. I wonder if it would take into account my occasional hot flashes? That would be dandy!
So here's my advice: turn down the heat a bit and plug in a space heater when needed. However, my advice comes with a warning. Please, please, please protect your little ones! If the heater gets hot on the surface, keep it safely away from your toddlers! But make sure you do not place it too close to drapes, furniture, papers, etc. Look for heaters that automatically shut down when tipped. Safety has to be the primary issue here!! And, for goodness sake, stay away from kerosene heaters (quite popular back in the 70s and 80s) and old electric heaters that use more energy than they're worth.
One final bit of advice here -- when you're not using the heater, unplug it!!!! As a matter of fact, you should unplug anything that heats up when not in use. This includes coffee makers, toasters, curling irons, hair dryers, etc. They are fire hazards when plugged in and unattended. And let me tell you, nothing feels colder than standing outside in the snow watching your house burn down.
Wishing your warmth while keeping it safe and green,
Hana
