Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Oil filled radiators are great too. I have several and my pet lays right up next to it. It is very mild heat but warms the room up. On starting up a brand new one there is a little odor first day but I put mine elsewhere for first day of use. On following years there is no odor. It just is first day or two of heating it. Very cost effective. I used it when I stayed at temporary hotel instead of turning on their heat system. <http://www.nextag.com/oil-filled-heater/search-html> _http://www.nextag.com/oil-filled-heater/search-html_ I keep it on all winter long in areas I use the most and allow rest of house to be cooler to save money. It has a thermostat so it turns itself off and on when room gets warm. > > I've been looking at these heaters for about a year now. I have problems w/running my HVAC not because it is contaminated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 P.S. Incidentally these heaters can be cleaned easily and are very transportable. I bought two of the larger ones for my house and I bought a smaller one to take with me if I sleep some place else as it has carry handles built into sides and is very lightweight. What I do is shut off vent from heating system of wherever I am, hotel, friends house, and use my own heat instead of central heat from sytem I have no way of knowing how clean it is. With the ceramic one described, it looks like air 'goes through it' and then I wonder how will one clean it out of inevitable dust and dirt that would get in there, unless you could safely put a filter on it?? > > Oil filled radiators Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 It looks like an electric heater. All electric heaters have the same efficiency, pretty much.. Its based on Ohms Law.. I've used electric heaters a ot in the past, not by choice, and they were expensive. With electric heaters it depends on how high the cost of electricity is in your areas. In some places it is cheap, like the Pacific Northwest. (Washington, Oregon) relative to urban areas where it tends to be more expensive.. When we tried to use it in a very mild coastal climate (because we also could not use our gas heater) we found that it was very expensive. Yes, electric heaters don't need to be connected to HVAC or chimneys and they can heat individual rooms only but the convenience comes with a cost. DON'T use gas or propane heaters that don't vent outside.. they can be dangerous... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I just saw a sale on quartz heaters yesterday at a big hardware store.. $29.95 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 There's a good description here of the various heater types... Its in Australia but the same laws of physics apply here.. http://www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/pages/portable.asp important: gas heaters of any kind need to either be vented outside or used in a room with good ventillation outside.. (say by cracking the window slightly and locking it open somehow- because closing that gap could cause asphixiation!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Barb and Live, thank you so much for the info on the heater. Very much appreciated. Darlene LiveSimply <quackadillian@...> wrote: There's a good description here of the various heater types... Its in Australia but the same laws of physics apply here.. http://www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/pages/portable.asp important: gas heaters of any kind need to either be vented outside or used in a room with good ventillation outside.. (say by cracking the window slightly and locking it open somehow- because closing that gap could cause asphixiation!) --------------------------------- Bored stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 The oil filled heaters I mentioned while run on electricity are very cost effective since the heat is held for a long time by the oil inside, so the heating mechanism warms the oil which holds on to the heat and thus heating element does not to stay on for long. These oil filled heaters are not costly to operate like electric heaters, and also do not get hot to the touch. They are very safe. First one I bought is about 15 years old and still going strong. I recently added two more, one large one for another room and one small for it's portability. --- In , LiveSimply <quackadillian@...> wrote: > > It looks like an electric heater. All electric heaters have the same > efficiency Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I'm dubious of the " savings " in the article they state the way you save is by turning down your central furnace and putting the portable in the room your occupying. You could do this with a portable heater that uses heat strips too. Only for about a tenth of the initial up front cost. The article doesn't mention the output in btu's which is a universal standard. Sounds to me they don't want you to know it's no more powerful than a common heat strip model that cost's 30 bucks. I have no reason to believe they are any less efficient. I would think that gas or oil would be much cheaper than electric. The initial investment of putting in a modern new gas or oil furnace that vent's outside and will reach near 100% efficiencies would be prohibitive up front, but in the long run it would pay in spades. They also make small fixed oil burning units that are not portable but put out 20, 30, 40 thousand BTU's that would supplement your central unit very nicely if you put it in a large room. On Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:09:44 -0500, you wrote: >I've been looking at these heaters for about a year now. I have problems w/running my HVAC not because it is contaminated. But, because my daughter has so many problems w/IAQ. >I have asked a couple people about them. They say yes they really work. I have all ceramic and hardwood floors which are always cold. But, these should help w/that. Thought you might like to check it out. The initial investment is about $400.00 but w/my heat bill it will pay off the first year out here in Michigan. I also did a search on e-bay and found demos for about $100.00 cheaper. >I am not selling these. Do not benefit from this. Have not tried these. Can't find anything wrong w/them. Just thought some of you might be interested in them. http://www.biotechresearch.com/epure_heater.php > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Okay, . This is in NO way an attack. So, if it comes across like that I do not mean it to. I promise!!!! Are these units you are speaking of portable. It kinda sounds like a real type furnace. Again, this area is all new to me. If you are speaking of portable this is what I have been told in the past. However, would like to hear others opinions on this group. I was told that the portable oil units would not be good people w/MCS or asthma. That the odor that is given off can cause problems. Does anyone no for sure if this true or not. I am speaking of your personal experiences. Barb said hers only smells the 1st couple days. There is no type of smell after that? No off gassing or anything? I am not particularly concerned w/the electric bill. I don't intend on running tons of them just enough to help my furnace not run as much. With a lower cost investment until we get back on our feet, if we ever do. (most of you know what I mean) Something that is also safe, so my house doesn't burn down. I did use 2 ceramic heaters this year, that process was totally useless. I would have had to have had 30 of them to keep the house even warm. They sucked. Nice though if you sat right in front of them. Drew so much electricity that I had to be careful of how I plugged stuff in. hehehe Thank goodness they broke. Now I don't have to explain why I quit using them. Re: [] Heater I'm dubious of the " savings " in the article they state the way you save is by turning down your central furnace and putting the portable in the room your occupying. You could do this with a portable heater that uses heat strips too. Only for about a tenth of the initial up front cost. The article doesn't mention the output in btu's which is a universal standard. Sounds to me they don't want you to know it's no more powerful than a common heat strip model that cost's 30 bucks. I have no reason to believe they are any less efficient. I would think that gas or oil would be much cheaper than electric. The initial investment of putting in a modern new gas or oil furnace that vent's outside and will reach near 100% efficiencies would be prohibitive up front, but in the long run it would pay in spades. They also make small fixed oil burning units that are not portable but put out 20, 30, 40 thousand BTU's that would supplement your central unit very nicely if you put it in a large room. On Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:09:44 -0500, you wrote: >I've been looking at these heaters for about a year now. I have problems w/running my HVAC not because it is contaminated. But, because my daughter has so many problems w/IAQ. >I have asked a couple people about them. They say yes they really work. I have all ceramic and hardwood floors which are always cold. But, these should help w/that. Thought you might like to check it out. The initial investment is about $400.00 but w/my heat bill it will pay off the first year out here in Michigan. I also did a search on e-bay and found demos for about $100.00 cheaper. >I am not selling these. Do not benefit from this. Have not tried these. Can't find anything wrong w/them. Just thought some of you might be interested in them. http://www.biotechresearch.com/epure_heater.php > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Maybe it had odor longer a couple of days (?) but my experience is that once it's gone, it's gone. I'm not sure where initial odor comes from. I doubt it is from oil as it is supposed to be sealed inside. If it weren't, it would leak. I think it is other materials or lubricants that are used that react to first heating. I noticed one I recently bought that was the small one had more odor than I remember other one having. Maybe it depends on materials they use in it. It has more plastic parts than larger ones I have. The two larger ones I have are all metal, so perhaps one with more plastic had more off gassing to do due to plastic parts. I bought new one for hotel room I had last fall and I turned it up to high on nice weather day and opened window and door to my room to get breeze going through. I had to do that a few times. I don't remember how many times exactly but it wasn't alot. Since then no odor and never an odor from my old one. However I must add that now that I think about it, the small one with some plastic parts I did notice an odor not long ago. I had forgotten about that until now. I had turned it up higher than I normally have it so I thought it was burning off something additional due to higher temperature, so good to set them on high in the beginning and put them someplace to burn off whatever it is they need to burn off. My old one I like the best but I don't remember brand now but it is easier to reach all fins and wipe down than these new ones I just bought, which are both Kenwoods but different models. I don't know. I'm not asthmatic or have MCS but I think I pick up on scents easily. I'm sure you could try one if you bought it locally and try burning off any odor and if you still detected an odor after that return it. I know Home Depot carries them ever year and they have a very liberal return policy. > I was told that the portable oil units would not be good people w/MCS or asthma. That the odor that is given off can cause problems. Does anyone no for sure if this true or not. I am speaking of your personal experiences. Barb said hers only smells the 1st couple days. There is no type of smell after that? No off gassing or anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Yep, the smell could just the initial burn off. My toaster finally broke. So, I went and bought a new one. Not thinking a thing about plugged it. Went to make waffles the next morning and thought the smell would kill me. It was just awful. Had to open the windows, stick my daughter in hr room and block the space under the door, threw out the waffles. Took it out to the garage and it took about 10 times of me turning it on to finally burn that horrible smell off. I've this experience a couple other times w/other appliances. Just never think about it though, until the smell starts to take over. hehehe Now no smell. What the heck do they put on these things? Maybe others don't smell it. But, I can't see how that could be. That's why I am asking about the heating units. Thanx for the suggestion. I'll make sure what ever unit I choose to start it out in the garage first. I would probably would have not thought of that. [] Re: Heater Maybe it had odor longer a couple of days (?) but my experience is that once it's gone, it's gone. I'm not sure where initial odor comes from. I doubt it is from oil as it is supposed to be sealed inside. If it weren't, it would leak. I think it is other materials or lubricants that are used that react to first heating. I noticed one I recently bought that was the small one had more odor than I remember other one having. Recent Activity a.. 8New Members Visit Your Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 , the type of heater I am talking about is not portable, but not a central unit either. They are about the size of a mid sized TV set and mount close to the wall. They have many of the advantages of a central unit, efficiency, thermostat, large capacity to heat a house. Disadvantage is they will have a tenancy to overpower whatever room you put them in while not heating all the other rooms in the house as well. It will definitely take the load off of the central unit though. Also the ones I am talking about vent the fuel byproducts outside so they claim their odorless. I am sure like other appliances there may be a break in time where paint and residues have to burn off. You might want to call a local heating company and pick their brains and emphasize how important gases and odors are. They can give you a lot more reliable information than I. I never have had one, just know of them and how efficient they are. One thing that concerns me though is fuel oil stinks to high heaven when it leaks on something. I used to have to put up with diesel (very similar to fuel oil) in my sailboat. Once you spill it in the bilge the smell is pretty pungent. I am only mentioning this because by your post's I can tell this is very important to you. I don't think this would be a problem but a dealer could tell you weather this is a legitimate issue. Again I am only mentioning this because I know how important it is and would want you to make absolutely sure you would not have any fuel oil odors indoors. My thinking is no but would want you to make sure from a knowledgeable person. http://www.alsheating.com/ToyotomiOilHeater.htm http://www.medfordfuel.com/Monitor_Kerosene_Heater.htm http://heating-and-cooling.hardwarestore.com/33-167-coal-wood-circulators/35k-bt\ u-deluxe-cabin-oil-heater--637878.aspx I don't know how efficient your old central unit is but you might want to throw it out and just go with a new central unit that runs on fuel oil this by far would be the best option if it's within your budget because it's one unit and would tie into your old ducting. Probably looking at somewhere between 1500 and 3000. My dad had a quote of 2000 in his house. But he already had a fuel oil heater so it was a swap which reduces labor. If your converting from say electric to fuel oil you have to install a flue to duct out the burnt fuel oil gases. Also I am not sure how you work with fuel oil central heating and central air up north, if your current unit is also central air this might pose some difficulties http://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewcategory.cfm?categoryid=59 & asid=3394 & OVRAW=oil%\ 20furnaces & OVKEY=oil%20furnace & OVMTC=standard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/kombucha-tea-ferment.htm On 10/28/07, Chad Larsen <cichlidfanatic@...> wrote: > > Has anyone ever used an aquarium heater to heat Kombucha in the winter? > > Chad > > > -- PO Box 5911 Bellingham WA 98227 360-752-2225 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 > > > > Has anyone ever used an aquarium heater to heat Kombucha in the winter? > > > > Chad > > > > > >Chad, I'm a relative newbie ... just started brewing kombucha in May. I live in the Midwest and during the summer months, my k-tea was held at ~75 degrees. Now that it's getting colder, my house is kept cool ... ~ 65 degrees. I recently purchased a low wattage heating mat intended for seedlings along with a thermostat. I put the 21 " mat on a bed of cork board and it holds my 4 gallon jars of k-tea. I then wrap the jars in towels and the temperature holds nicely. My brew time is approximately 10 days to a pH of about 3.0. I, too, thought about an aquarium heater but since I brew four gallons at a time, it wasn't very practical. The mat is much more efficient. The aquarium heater may also disturb the formation of a new scoby at the surface. Happy brewing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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