Blocking HVAC vents

[Enmj1902]

Our HVAC system bit the dust this year and financially not going to unbite the dust for about a year... we intend to use ceramic heaters this winter so I wondered air wise should I block the floor vents in the house? Will this do any good?

 

[DonL]

Are you getting a draft from the vents ?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Dana]

Our HVAC system bit the dust this year and financially not going to unbite the dust for about a year... we intend to use ceramic heaters this winter so I wondered air wise should I block the floor vents in the house? Will this do any good?

If the ducts run in a vented attic above the insulation layer blocking the registers makes a real difference in cool-draft comfort. If they're in a basement or unvented crawlspace, not so much. If they're in a vented crawlspace it'll make some difference.

If you have a heating history on the place it's worth running a fuel-use heat load calculation to be able to optimize the sizing of the eventual replacement equipment. Equipment that has 2-5x more capacity that's needed can heat the place, but it's not exactly the same thing as comfortable. A right sized furnace or heat pump would run at over a 75% duty cycle on the coldest hours/days of the year rather than giving you hot blast followed by a chill.

 

[WorthFlorida]

... we intend to use ceramic heaters this winter ...

Big problem here. How many heaters and what is your electrical situation? No matter what type of "electric" heaters you select, they all radiate about the same BTU's per watt. Most electric heaters are 1500 watts, ~13 amps and 5100 BTU's. Depending on how large of a home and how many electric heaters will put a good strain on your electrical system (and bill). Do not use extension cords and probably not more than one 1500 watt heater on one breaker. You might get away with two smaller units on a 20 amp breaker.

• Ceramic heaters are compact and do not allow the hottest part to be exposed. Good with small kids around. Ceramic heaters heat the air and you get very little radiant heat from them.
• Traditional electric, I call then toasters, usually show the exposed heating elements and not good for around children.
• Electric heaters with large fans. Most electric heaters have a fan but the toaster type have fans that fluff the heat out where as fully enclosed electric heaters will have blower type fan.
• Liquid (oil) heaters.They look like an old fashioned radiator. These provide very comfortable heating. Slow to warm up and slow to cool down. heats both the air and you'll feel the infrared radiant heat.

Do not believe any advertising that "it's more efficient" than other electric heaters. You my need several different types around the home. While they are in use do get an infrared thermometer and check the heat at the breaker panel and outlets. Particularly those very cold nights. All electric heaters heaters have tilt switches. Should one get knock over, they shut off.

 

[Dana]

The oil filled radiator types are somewhat less of a fire hazard, since there there isn't high temperature infra-red radiation or a high temperature air stream that can be blocked (which would raise it's temperature.) You really have to work on it to actually start a fire with one of those (but the more idiot proof they make something the more creative the idiots become...) Just don't bury it in a pile of laundry.

Oil filled radiators are also nearly dead-silent whereas most electric heaters with fans are pretty noisy (some small ceramic heaters with fans are truly obnoxious.)

Many 1500W oil filled radiators have two switches, one for a 600W element, the other for a 900 watter, so with some tape over the 900W switch element to prevent going over 600W you can have multiple heaters on the same 15-20A circuit.

 

[WorthFlorida]

Oil filled are the safest with kids and for the bathrooms.

 

[MKS]

Do you know what is wrong with the furnace? People here maybe able to help you sort it out.

 

[DonL]

Do not believe any advertising that "it's more efficient" than other electric heaters.

I agree.

Normally electric elements are 100% efficient, Unless the power factor is way screwed up.

More efficient could be the fan motor rating, But it makes heat too.