What the others said. But a cupla more points: Although this unit is f'sure $350+ overpriced, and electricity is indeed usually the more expensive way to go vs. other energy sources, it can be economical in the sense that electricity allows near-infinite *zoning*--ie, one room, or even *part* of a room at a time, for heat. Pure radiant heaters (parabolic dish) are the best for that--Sam's club, rel. low wattages, about $39. Yeah, free shipping.... oh please.....
A lower overall temperature of a unit *might* reduce the temp. differential between floor and ceiling, but proly not a lot. Better is the radiant (parabolic dish) heaters, or even radiant (glow) gas heaters, or ribbon forced air space heaters (often noisy), or how bout this novel idea: Ceiling fans! Ceiling fans are useful in the winter as well as the summer, put'em in reverse, on low. Esp on high ceilings.
Oil-filled units are a relatively low temperature as well (cain't quite sit on them, but...), and therefore safe.
I notice that the ad literature doesn't give watts or current (sheeit, the pics don't even show an *electric cord*--it wasn't until this thread I even KNEW they were electric!!), which would then allow direct comparison to a normal space heater.
*Watts is all you need* to validly compare the heating ability of electric heaters. You can heat up a room just as well with a bunch of
*bulbs*, be they incandescant or fluorescant--just get the watts up. In fact, that is how I heat parts of the house/shop in the winter--lotsa lites, ceiling fans. In the summer, I'm always squinting.... :) You yourself are good for 60-75 watts! Which is why a roomful of people is so uncomfortable--hot air notwithstanding. :)
The point about high-wattage heaters being tough on the wiring is an excellent point, esp in older houses (cloth #14 wires), and shittily built new houses. 1500 Watts is about 12.5 amps, right close to the 15 A limit of fuses/breakers. What's nice about regular space heaters, esp. oil-filled and the parabolic glow, is they have two or 3 heat ranges. The oil filled are almost always
600, 900, 1500 watts (5 amps, 7.5 amps, 12.5 amps), and others are varying, say 800/1200, or 750/1500, etc. I always use the lowest setting. The wife always uses the highest. :( constant battle.... Ahm thinkin of re-wiring that heater so that 600 watts is on every switch setting. :) :) :)
Another big scam w/ electric heaters is the "100 % efficient" claim.
**EVERYgoddammTHING
** is 100% efficient in terms of
*conversion to heat*, INCLUDING gas/oil--IF you were to combust them w/ no venting. The inefficiencies in gas/oil arise because of the requirement for venting, where heat then literally goes up the chimbley. So-called ventless gas heaters, while also being "100% efficient", are awful, imo--high water vapor, distinct fumes--you can always tell when they are on. I, of course, bought two. :(
Dehumidifiers, and steam-based humidifiers, also put out good heat, and can help quite a bit by maintaining proper moisture levels--a bigger deal than often recognized.