Still trying to figure out the heater issue

Still trying to figure out the heater issue

The tiny electric, ceramic space heater is OK, for now (especially with the timer that turns it on an hour or so before I go out there), but I dont believe it has enough surface area.  You need to pretty much be in front of it.  Directly.

So still researching.  It cant cost too much, right now, and I dont want propane, so that narrows the field...I need clean, more or less allergy-free heat.  

Almost bought a little heater that looked like a wood stove--I know, its nuts, but it was CUTE!!  I was willing to give it space in the shed--till I read the review that said the fake logs were styrofoam and when they heated it made her sick.  Uh oh...ceramic heaters dont do that...

>Not impressed with the oil-filled ones...J. knows of two that lost one of their two heating elements in a short time, and the one I had to do with simply didnt offer enough heat.

The wall-mounted panels seem OK, but not overly impressive, and seem to need to be on longer to heat the area.  No blower on those (something they share with the oil-filled ones)...which is good news and bad news.  Hot blowing air CAN dry your sinuses, but no blowing air sometimes doesnt feel like enough heat."color: black;">

And of course the woodstove would need a hole in the shed (wall is Js choice, roof is mine), double-walled chimney, fireproofing for the wall and floor, and take up considerably more of our 10 x 10 space...and chopping and splitting firewood.  Hm.  Thats not going to happen right away, if ever...

So back to electric heat, for now...

I found this guideline on Amazon.com--and it looks worth reading!

Five Tips for Buying a Heater

Choosing a space heater is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Lets break it down a little to make the process easier.
What are the different types of space heaters?
>

• Radiant heaters emit infrared radiation that directly warms the objects in front of the heaters (rather than the surrounding air). If you only need heat by a desk or in a small section of a room, a radiant heater is quiet and will use very little power.
• Forced-air heaters use a fan to blow air that has been warmed by metal or ceramic heating elements. A forced-air heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but can be noisy.
• Convection heaters draw cold air from the floor; the air is warmed by heating coils and emitted from the top of the heater. A convection heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but also can be noisy.
• Radiators work by heating oil enclosed in a reservoir, gradually heating the surrounding air. If heating speed isnt an issue, you might want to opt for a radiator. These are extremely quiet and effective--perfect for bedrooms.

Should I buy an electric or a combustion model?
If you want a heater that will be available in emergencies, or that can heat areas larger than a single room, choose a "combustion" model--one that is powered by a gas or fuel like propane, kerosene, natural gas, or diesel. Which fuel type you choose depends largely on convenience and local availability. For example, diesel would be appropriate for a heater you take with you on long car trips.

How powerful a heater do I need?
Heaters are rated by BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit (the amount of heat needed to heat one pound of water by 1 degree F). To find out how many BTU you need:

• Calculate the volume of the space to be heated by multiplying square footage by height.
• Multiply that number by 4 if your insulation is poor, 3 if its average, or 2 if its good.

The resulting number is a ballpark figure for how many BTU youll need.

Do space heaters cost a lot to operate?
As a general rule, electric space heaters are more expensive to use than combustion models. To ensure energy efficiency, a thermostat is a must-have feature for any heater. For radiant heaters, models with a 360 degree heating surface can heat larger spaces. If you need a forced-air heater, models with ceramic elements tend to be more efficient.

Are space heaters a fire hazard?
Space heaters are implicated in about 25,000 residential fires every year. To ensure proper safety, always follow the manufacturers usage instructions and fill out the warranty card to receive informational updates from the manufacturer. Also, look for extra safety features such as an automatic shutoff switch that can shut down the unit if, for example, it gets upended. In addition, choose a model where the heating element is adequately enclosed within the unit.

------------

Thanks, Amazon, still considering...babble babble...

Still trying to figure out the heater issue

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

How does one display all those team photos we collect without compromising her decorating integrity? A wall of colorfully matted pictures was the answer for me.

Thankfully, I have a long upstairs hallway that was a blank slate.

With three kids, all in sports since the age of three, I had a lot to work with. It gave me an opportunity to use many bright colors. Even pink matted pictures for my girls teams worked in well.

Looking back the other direction, you see I have another blank slate as we continue to accumulate. Ill just have to figure out how to work around the thermostat. Note to self, if rebuilding, locate those pesky little things away from prime wall space.

The only problem is its hard to keep them completely straight. I havent gone through with wall putty yet to keep them from moving. Also, avoid the $3 Wal-mart frames if you can. Since I was buying them all at once, it was the least expensive way to dive into this project. However, they dont hang well. Tiny little nails are required and they tend to pop off the wall, especially when the tween stomps off and slams her door - - (as much as I hate to admit that happens; it does.) But, I cant recommend enough worldviewpic.com for the mats. The are superb quality, reasonably priced, and customer service was outstanding. They even let me pick the quantity in each color (so I wouldnt be heavy on pink). You can find them online here


Since we took these pictures out of boxes and hung them on the wall, the kids have enjoyed looking back over their athletic "careers." I find them in the hall gazing at them or showing their friends as they walk by. That is why we hang pictures, use china everyday, break out the clothes and jewelry were saving for a special occasion, and just generally treat every day as though it is worthy of our best adornments. No point in keeping memories in boxes, especially if you have a place to display them and doing so makes people smile.

Linking to Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home



Take Me Out To The Ballgame