Does anyone know how to estimate a heater’s energy efficiency? We need a heater for our bedroom addition. The main house heat won’t reach the 16×20 room. We have heard that baseboards have poor efficiency. How do we know if the other heaters that we are considering for use are more efficient? We are looking at a 5000 BTU 120volt heater, a Sears 1500 watt ceramic or radient heater, or a mini split ductless heat pump.
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Replies
All electric resistance heaters (baseboard, glowing wire, ceramic, oil filled, with or without fans) are the same efficiency -- 100%. In other words, every bit of electricity that goes into them comes out as heat; none is wasted. They all cost the same to run for the same heat output.
Heat pumps put out more heat than the electricity they use, because they pump heat from a lower temperature area to a higher temperature area. So they don't just "burn" all the electricity they use, but take heat from elsewhere and put it where it's wanted. So, they could be considered to be more than 100% efficient.
To compare heat outputs expressed in different units, 1 watt = 3.413 BTU/hour. So, for example, your 5000 BTU/hr heater puts out heat at the rate of 1465 watts.
Thank you for your quick answer. now my husband can buy the electric heater that he wants without my fussing about finding the best energy efficient style.