The bad wrap of electric heaters

Okay, so years ago electric heaters were a danger in your home.  They would tip over, start fires, burn young hands and cost hundreds of dollars to run.

But as with everything, technology has been able to "fix" those issues.  Your modern electric heaters are safe as most have a base that will keep them from tipping over (unless you have a dog that decides he wants it over).  They now come with a auto shut off if, on those rare occasions, the do tip over.


They sure are looking much better than they did when they first came out.  Now for small spaces and for heat the little ones work just fine but if you are wanting to make a piece out of your electric heater there are many ways to do that.


So, are they a good idea?  I don't think I would recommend them for a permanent source of heat but they are wonderful for small spaces that just need that little "extra" warmth; bedrooms on a cold night, office or TV room.  



We have seen an increase in our electrical bill (in some cases an increase of .13 per kilowatt to .32 per kilowatt in just three years) so you want to know how much it will cost you to run an electric heater it's a simple equation.  

Take the number of watts on the electric heater (for this scenario we will use 1500 watts as it is common for electric heaters).  Let's figure out what it would cost per hour so you know how long you can afford to run it.

1500/1000 X 24 = 36 x .25  = 9.00 per day or 37.5 cents per hour.

1500 watt electric heater divided by 1000 (this changes it from watt hours to kilowatt hours times cost of kilowatt (each company is different) times 24 hours times what you pay per kilowatt with your electric company.

So let's say you run it only at night while you are sleeping, eight hours (quit laughing some get eight hours of sleep) it will cost you about $3.00 a night to have it on.

It may seem like a lot of money when you take that times 30 days in a month but when you lower your furnace temperature at night but have one family member who needs it warmer you will actually save on heating costs.  Instead of heating the entire home for one room you heat only the one room.

Now I'm not going to say anything negative about the large chain stores but it may be difficult to find someone that can explain this to you.  When I have questions I go to the local mom and pop hardware stores as it seems that each employee there actually want to help you and they tend to be more knowledgeable on their products and I am a huge supporter of small businesses.

If you have one of the "old" electric heaters it's time to catch up with technology. Your safety will thank you and so will your wallet.

This blog is brought to you by Pueblo West Hardware store.  Like them on Facebook.

Christmas ideas for the "do it yourself" guy

We've all been there.  What do you get the man who "tinkers" and fixes everything?  He has all the tools he needs (okay, they never have all the tools they need), it's been a rough year so you can't afford the that great big saw that he hints around that he wants (and who wants to give up their side of the garage for it).

Okay ladies, this part may be a bit difficult...listen.  I know, I know but the little things will help with some ideas for Christmas.  For example, he's off to the hardware store to get a "thingy," (because honestly...who cares what it is, right).  I don't know about you but my husband has every thingy under the sun...but he always is going out to get more (or different because it's not the right one).


Here is what I did one year for Christmas.  I recruited a friend (another do it yourself guy) and asked him, "What is it that you rarely use but never have.  The "thingy's" that you have to always go and purchase?"  I highly recommend that before you ask this question to have pen and paper ready because I thought it's just be a few thingy's.  I learned something...these men are, well, just a bit nuts.  After the tenth thing he told me (and after I took a deep breath) I stopped him and asked him to go to the hardware store with me.

So off we go...I give him my budget and tell him to go to it.  I have to say that what he was putting in the cart I was rolling my eyes at thinking this is the worst Christmas gift ever.  More and more went into the cart and I kept thinking "he's exceeding the budget" and he kept putting more and more into the cart.  I learned a valuable lesson here...they may not act like they understand budgets but when it comes to this stuff...these men know how to add quickly in their head.


Cart full and check out.  I will admit I was cringing every time I heard the "ding" of the register.  $9.72 UNDER budget (but not for long because he ran off to grab a few more things).  Now what?  Do I wrap each thing individually?  Silly me because my friend had that already worked out while shopping.  Use some "thingy's" to wrap other "thingy's" and at this point I was just along for the ride.


Every man is different so it's important to listen (or do what I did and enlist a friend who knows him...much easier) to help.  

Although I rolled my eyes and thought this would go into the book as the worst gift ever...it was a hit!

Men:  Please comment on what you would like to see in your "thingy" gift.

If you need any assistance Pueblo West Hardware can help you build your gift
222 S. McCulloch Blvd., Pueblo West, CO  
719-547-0608