Electric heat

Brad White_2

I have no idea what climate you are in or what your electric rates are. I doubt you are in the high mountains of central Florida (best kept secret south of Tallahassee), but then we would not be having this conversation.

The units used by motels ("incremental units", "console units" or "PTAC's" are among the terms used to describe them) do have more output and have fans. If you are in a milder climate, some can be had in a heat pump configuration which will use the electricity more efficiently then use electric resistance heat below a certain balance-point temperature. They will work in all climates but the balance point where the compressor ceases and electric heating starts, will occur sooner in colder climates of course. But for those milder times when it is between 35 and 50 outside, you can do pretty well for the least operating cost.

Do you have a favorable electric rate and enough amperage capacity in your service? I can see an electrically heated weekend place costing as much as your weekday place to heat.

Rather than guess, do you have a calculated heat loss? I would start there and add the right amount (of whatever you decide), once.

My $0.02

Brad

JPHRI

Additional electric heating

I have a mountain home with electric base board heating. The amount of base board units is inadequate for the main living area. I was thinking about adding 2 more base board units an 8'and a 6' unit on their own thermostat. OR should I buy some kind of wall unit like motels have? Any other ideas?

JPHRI

The house is in the Pocono region.
It is usually below 32 from Dec through March.
I pay about 10.7 cents per KWH and it does cost the same to heat this weekend place as my regular residence that is usually 10 degrees warmer. I do have enough amp capacity to add.

I was thinking with a "motel unit" it would help move the air, I have a good location to intall it and I would get the benefit of AC for the two or three times a year AC would be nice. I'm thinking a heat pump style wouldn't be worth the added cost?

I don't have a calculated heat loss but there is no base board in the foyer or the kitchen (which is all open through the living room and dining area) and I'm sure if I had them in those locations it would make a nice difference.

Unknown

I used to live in Mt Cobb

Graduated North Pocono HS

I live in CT now...

Have you considered switching to cheaper means of heating? Might be worth the investment in the long run. I would recommend some kind of hydro set up. Not necessarily baseboard, maybe hydro air or water fed "motel units" as you say. Just food for thought.

Don \"Grumpy\" Walsh

I doubt you are in the high mountains of central Florida (best kept secret south of Tallahassee), but then we would not be having this conversation.

Not THAT big of a secret unfortunately! I love the Clermont area for golf.

Brad White

Price them both, HP and AC-Only

and see where the numbers fall. Typically, unless money is so tight Ben Franklin's cheeks squeak, I would go for the heat pump. In spring and fall it will be quite comfortable (nice drying touch in rainy weather) and you also have AC if you need it.

I do advocate (as per MPF's post) that alternative means be considered. If electricity is your only real option, maybe ground-source and water to water?

Your electric rate sounds good to average, but do check if that covers "net" at the bottom of your bill. Here in Boston we pay about 9 cents but by the time they get done with delivery charges (what? Comes in a truck?) and paying that nice lady who asks if your check is in the mail, it works out to about 20 cents per kWH. That may trigger a different decision.

Charles_8

Must be a really well kept secret...

... since the highest point in FL, which is also the lowest of any state, is only 345 feet.
http://geology.com/state-high-points.shtml

???

-Charles

Brad White_2

Well

duh....



You missed the joke.