On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 21:10:34 -0700, "Jim"
scribbled:

I have a 4800 watt 30 amp construction heater. Those little ones with a circular
element and a fan.
I allow have a residential 2200 watt electric base board heater on a wall
thermostat.
My shop is 14x18 and well insulated but we get plenty of below zero days.
I'm wondering if either of these two heaters is cheaper to operate than the
other.

To heat your shop to a certain temperature takes the same number of
total watt-hours (or BTUS), just your 2200 watt baseboards will take
more than twice as long. So the cost is the same, but the heater will
let you put the heat exactly where you want it and the fan will
distribute it faster.

I prefer the shop heater because it's up out of the way and the baseboard is
tough to keep clear because it is long and has tools in front like my bandsaw
and drill press.

That's what I use (a 4800 watt heater), and I'm in the Yukon (14X28
shop).

Luigi
Replace "nonet" with "yukonomics" for real email address
www.yukonomics.ca/wooddorking/humour.html
www.yukonomics.ca/wooddorking/antifaq.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...ct_Woodworking