Best Way to Heat

PolkieMan

That is perfect for that add on room I have been watching those!

Green '01 wrote: »

All of these ideas are good for the winter, but what about the Summer? Have you thought about a mini-split system?
http://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/en/consumer/product-solutions/product-showcase

westmassguy

anonymouse wrote: »

All the units powered off electricity, be that direct heat or Infrared or Oil Filled electric are basically 100% efficient. It's simple physics - they just use slightly different techniques to convert electric energy into thermal energy.

Yes they do, however the oil filled types perform similar to old cast iron radiators and baseboards, they take longer to heat up, but continue to radiate heat into the room after the thermostat is satisfied. When properly setup, they produce a more modest temperature swing. Simple electric elements heat up rapidly, but cool just as rapidly

shawn474

Green '01 wrote: »

All of these ideas are good for the winter, but what about the Summer? Have you thought about a mini-split system?
http://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/en/consumer/product-solutions/product-showcase

My neighbor works in hvac and has one of these in a glass enclosed sun room. It works really well. He has also installed these for a number of my family and friends in similar situations. Seems like the perfect solution in many cases.

4xoddic

I'm sure a HVAC guy would suggest a heat pump (w/80% efficient propane for those frequent days it's too cold outside for the heat pump to cope; check degree-days for your area).

The direct vent Rinnai NG wall furnace we have can also be fitted for propane. They sense outdoor & inside temps; adjust the gas jet for those conditions, & blow heated air over a humidifier "pan" & across the floor (we don't use the humidifier). The fan noise is minimal. We use ours to heat a 16' X 16' peaked ceiling (glass-enclosed on 3 sides) porch on N side of house. Tile floor.

Wife has it set to 38 F; programmed to ramp up to 64 F so she can sit & have breakfast in short-sleeve comfort (doesn't take too long to heat). On weekends, it runs at that temp all day. Workdays, just til 0900. Our gas bill has never shown a sig rise after installing it, ~ 2009.

We considered the Mitsubishi units. Might have gone with that IF we had to have A/C.

We have a non-reversible ceiling fan.

We tried heating the porch the first Thanksgiving by opening 2 36" doors from the living room. With a whole-house humidifier at 39% RH, ice built up on the seals of the 2 sliding glass doors & on every double hung window. With the Rinnai, we leave one door open while we're on the porch. No frozen condensation. We would go with better windows if we had to do it again.

The Rinnai can be taken off the wall & moved to your next house. Leaving behind the vent hole in the wall & propane piping.

You'd need a propane pipe plumbed thru the exterior wall (unless indoor furnace propane pipe is accessible); supposedly dedicated 120 V circuit. There are various sizes to heat ~ cu. ft.

http://www.rinnai.us/direct-vent-wall-furnace

NOTE re: vent-free heaters: California, Minnesota and Wisconsin have restrictions on their use, as do parts of Massachusetts. Some cities and counties have restrictions even though the heaters are legal in the rest of the state. Before purchasing a ventfree heater or fireplace, call your local zoning board or Building Inspector – they will know if there are restrictions for where you live.

steveinaz

Have you considered a pellet stove? A small one would do the trick in that size room. I have a large Harman that heats our entire house; propane was killing me in the winter with our central heat furnace.