Zone Heating Strategies with space heaters

You can implement several strategies to get zone heating and zone cooling, that is, different heating and cooling temperatures for different rooms and parts of the house, according to schedules and needs. Below we list some examples of strategies using space heaters...

For an example of a zone heating strategy using central furnaces and other HVAC systems, see: Home zoning with central HAVC central systems

The pre-conditions of zone heating with space heaters

An effective home zoning with space heaters may demand some pre-conditions, particularly important if you live in a cold-harsh climate. Namely: 1) a proper zone design and… 2) a tight insulation.

See, on these issues: Home zone heating and cooling

Strategy 1: Home zoning combining central systems and space heaters

You may use space heaters to supplement central furnaces or other heating system. In this strategy the central system only provides a very basic and relatively low temperature (say 60ºF/15ºC).

The needs of occupied rooms (when they are occupied) or the special needs of some parts of the house are supplemented with space or portable heaters…

You can get important energy savings through this strategy. Lowering the central system temperatures by 1° F during winter heating season means average savings of $15 to $40, according to EIA/DOE. Lowering those temperatures by 10ºF will mean a significant amount of savings relatively to the amount demanded by space heaters…

Strategy 2: Using a potent space heater to heat the main room(s) and portables or smaller space heaters in the others

If your home has a good insulation and if it isn’t too large, a good space heater – a pellet stove, a gas stove, or other medium-high capacity space heater - can ensure the needs of the core of the house. The heating needs of the living room and other parts linked to it can be provided by that space heater.

The extra heating needs of other zones of the house can be fulfilled with smaller space and portable heaters…

This zoning strategy may easily provide savings of 30% or more on energy bills.

Strategy 3: Using electric Wall Heaters (Or other Radiant Heaters) with occupancy sensors.

You may use electric wall heaters (or other type of electric radiant heating) in conjunction with occupancy sensors. In this case the electric heater will only be switched on if and whenever the room is occupied, to get energy savings.

Since radiant heaters heat people, directly, through a stream of warmth (instead of heating the air of the entire room), and since the occupancy sensors will limit the use of the heaters to the time the room is occupied, the electric running costs will be substantially reduced.

On the other hand, since radiant heaters produce heat quickly, and since they heat people directly, they can be an effective solution.

The only possible disadvantage is that it may not convey or correspond to what people like most or expect (some people do not like to be directly heated by a stream of air...).