Learn more about the Amish heater and EdenPure space heater

The calendar indicates that heating season is  upon us, but the Home & Garden blog team doesn't need to look at a thermometer or watch the Weather Channel to know it's starting to get colder here in the New York City metro area and elsewhere around the country.

Nope, all we've got to do is look at the traffic to and comments about heating appliances on the Home & Garden blog and ConsumerReports.org. Specifically, readers are looking for information about the Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow Electric Fireplace (aka the Amish heater), EdenPure space heaters, and pellet stoves.

• If you're considering the Heat Surge appliance, read our review of the Amish heater as well as our post about some consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau. And remember, although Heat Surge claims its heaters will help you save on your heating bills, the only way to do so is to employ zone heating. (Note: According to a customer-service representative at Heat Surge, heaters made in 2009 were updated with a stronger blower and other changes affecting heat distribution. The company also says it plans to add a thermostat on future versions, possibly in 2010. The model we purchased and reviewed early this year might have incorporated some or all of the updates.)

• If you're pondering buying an EdenPure space heater, read "Are EdenPure Space Heaters Just a Lot of Hot Air?"
 
• If a pellet stove seems like a viable heating option, learn more about these appliances in our October 2009 report and our previous buyer's guide to pellet- and wood-burning stoves.

Essential information: "Don't Let Energy Savings Go Up and Out the Chimney" covers proven ways to save energy during heating season. And learn about space heaters, programmable thermostats, and weatherizing your attic. If you're in the market for new heating equipment, get up to speed on the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, aka cash for clunkers for appliances.

Q&A: Which type of pricing plan should I choose for the natural gas I use at my home?

I'd like to try to save money on my natural-gas bill this winter. Can I lock in a price for the season?

You can, but only if locking in a price is an option where you live. If you're in a state where utility companies handle both the supply and the delivery of natural gas, you can't lock in a price since utilities may offer only variable-rate plans, in which you pay the current market price.

But if you live in a state in which the supply and the delivery have been unbundled, you can shop around for the lowest price from natural-gas suppliers, aka marketers.

To determine whether this "customer choice" is available where you live, check the Natural Gas Residential Choice Programs map from the Energy Information Administration or go to the Web site of the public-service or public-utility commission in your state, which might include a list of reputable marketers.

Marketers offer a range of pricing options, including fixed-rate plans, in which you lock in the price for the life of your contract; variable-rate plans; and capped-variable-rate plans, in which the price floats with the market but not above a set limit. Marketers might also offer deal sweeteners to get you to sign on with them, such as 10 percent off your highest gas-use month or a $75 debit card.

"Fixed-rate plans are for the risk averse," says Steven J. Maslak, president and CEO of Gateway Energy Services, a natural-gas marketer with 300,000 customers in eight states. Yes, you'll lose out if the price drops, but, says Maslak, "you'll be singing hallelujah if a hurricane hits the Gulf of Mexico" and prices start to climb. A colder-than-expected winter or geopolitical unrest somewhere in the world could also drive prices up suddenly. (The chart, from GES, shows the recent price drop for natural gas.)

The EIA's recent projection that average U.S. consumers who heat with natural gas will pay 12 percent less this year than they did last winter might tempt you to lock in the price with a fixed-rate plan. But, remember, the EIA's projections, which are relative to the previous year, can change. For example, in September 2008 the EIA projected a 20 percent increase in winter-heating bills. By December 2008, the EIA had projected a 2 percent decrease. So opt for a variable-rate plan if you don't mind rolling the dice and dealing with prices that fluctuate monthly.

That element of uncertainty might make the capped-variable-rate option a good middle ground. You benefit from falling prices without taking too big a hit if the cost of natural gas goes up.

Whichever way you go, consider a budget-payment option, which levels payments over 12 months and eliminates wintertime spikes. You can also save yourself some money by reading the fine print before signing a contract. For example, marketers usually charge an early-termination fee on a fixed-rate plan, so make sure you understand the terms and verify that the termination fee isn't exorbitant ($200 is average).

Also, check that the price you agree to is "to the burner tip." That means it includes any pipeline, storage, and other ancillary charges that an unscrupulous marketer might try to tack on to the price of the actual fuel.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: The best way to save on winter heating costs is to make your home as efficient as possible. Start by installing a programmable thermostat and following our advice for buttoning up your home. For more information on energy pricing, read "How to Buy Green Electricity." Stay on top of the latest news surrounding the cash for clunkers for appliances program.

"Amish heater" does a good job, but don't expect any miracles

When is an electric space heater more than just an appliance? When it's an "Amish heater."

At least that's what those spread newspaper and magazine ads and television commercials for the "miracle" Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow Electric Fireplace would have you believe. The marketing for this appliance says it will help reduce your heating bills and even touts that the heater is free. There is the small matter of the wood surround you have to buy for about $350 to $400—which is where the Amish apparently come in, since the heater itself is made in China. Heat Surge itself is based in Canton, Ohio. (Check out the TV spots by searching for "Amish heater" on YouTube.)

"Miracle heater" is certainly an attention-grabbing way to describe what is essentially a space heater with a lightbulb-powered display of faux burning logs. Some checking in our labs confirmed that the Roll-n-Glow and its built-in light show are no more miraculous than other space heaters we've tested. Some specifics:

The Roll-n-Glow functions primarily as a fan-forced convection heater like those we've tested. Heat Surge says its heater produces "an amazing 5,110 BTUs," but that's just another way of saying it's a 1,500-watt electric heater (it has a 750-watt setting, too), like most we tested. And while the oak surround on the model we bought appears well-built, some pieces are actually veneers, and we saw some nail holes in the trim. So much for that "superior craftsmanship."

The surround also comes in cherry and black and white. The list price on the Web site for the oak surround and heater is about $550 and for the cherry version it's around $590. A current promotion cuts $200 off the price, and some newspaper ads list a price that's $50 lower still. A bookcase and a hearth and mirror are optional add-ons.

How about those lower heating bills and Heat Surge's statement that the heater "can handle a 325 sq. ft. room for about 16 cents an hour"? Any similarly sized electric heater will do that, provided you use it in one room and keep others chillier—that's just basic zone heating. Note, however, that electricity costs roughly two and a half times more than natural gas, which is what most homes use. So any electric heater will cost you more to provide comparable heat unless you cut down significantly on heating elsewhere in your home.

As for performance, we found using this heater reasonably convenient, quiet, and safe. A remote control lets you turn the heater and its display on and off, switch the heat between low and high, and choose from more than a dozen brightness settings for the fake flames. But the heater lacks a thermostat, a key feature that allows you to regulate room temperature. The metal heater cabinet and its glass front panel did make our version somewhat front heavy. That and wheels recessed about an inch inward from the front increase its potential to tip forward, though a built-in tipover protection switch, found on many heaters these days, shut it off quickly when we intentionally tipped it in our tests. After two hours of continuous heating on high, most of its surfaces weren't hot to the touch, and even the center air-discharge grille above the front glass panel wasn't extremely hot. The Heat Surge complies with nationally recognized standards for safety and construction.

You'll find many less expensive but high-performing convection and radiant space heaters that will do a good job in a small space. In fact, David Baker, Heat Surge vice president, recently told The New York Times, "If someone would come to me and say, 'I need a heater and I want to spend as little as possible,' I would say go to a local big-box store and buy one for $29.99. Our heater represents a fireplace rather than just some space heater."

The Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow is not terribly overpriced compared with other faux fireplaces on the market, which start at about $250.

Just don't look for any money-saving miracles.—Jim Nanni, Manager, Technical Department

Essential information: As we reported in “Better Business Bureau Complaints and ‘Amish Heaters,’” the BBB has looked into some issues with the Roll-n-Glow. Use our advice to lower your heating bills this winter.

Forum Friday: Amish heater, NuWave oven, and slow cookers

We've been following the claims of the heavily advertised Heat Surge Roll-N-Glow Electric Fireplace (commonly called the Amish heater), and tomorrow we'll publish a review on this blog. You can flame or acclaim this "miracle" heater and other models of space heaters in a "fireside chat" discussion on electric fireplaces and space heaters, including the EdenPure space heater.

Owners of the NuWave Infrared Cooking System are posting some positive reviews on this recent blog post. Share your experiences with this appliance and check back for the results of our test of the NuWave in the May 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, online in April.

Slow cookers also have their fans. Read our recent report on slow cookers and join the simmering debate on the best models in our small-appliances forum.

Better Business Bureau complaints and "Amish heaters"

Unless you've become a recent devotee of spartaneity, you've probably seen one of the TV or print ads for the Heat Surge Roll-N-Glow Electric Fireplaces, commonly called Amish heaters. In the ads, Amish craftsmen radiate calm contentment as they craft wood mantels for the Heat Surge space heaters. The ads are so popular that they've generated the requisite parodies on YouTube. (Read the Consumer Reports review of the Amish heater.)

The Better Business Bureau has received complaints about a range of issues related to the heaters, including customer service, pricing, and service. Still other consumers have taken issue with Heat Surge's ads. As the Los Angeles Times reported last week, a BBB probe revealed that some of the people pictured in the ads are Amish and that the mantels, unlike the China-made heaters, are manufactured in this country.—Gian Trotta

Essential information: Heat Surge claims the heaters will help you "save big on your heating bills." (You can, if you employ zone heating.) "Don't Let Energy Savings Go Up and Out the Chimney" includes proven ways to save energy during heating season, with information on space heaters, programmable thermostats, and wood- and pellet-burning stoves.

How to prepare for weather emergencies

Devastating winter storms have slammed many areas of the country in recent days, leaving hundreds of thousands of utility customers without power. If you've been spared damage from this recent bout of nasty weather, count yourself lucky. To make sure you're prepared for the next storm emergency no matter the season, read the reports below:

• Storm & Emergency Guide: One-stop shopping to plan for and get through an emergency, including dealing with important papers and financial matters.

• Generators: Buyer's guide (with ratings), plus usage and maintenance tips, and a wattage calculator.

• Chain saws: Shopping information (with ratings), safety advice, and maintenance steps.

• Space heaters: How to choose and safety tips.

• Pets: Advice for protecting your animals.

Visit the National Weather Service for more information on dealing with winter weather. (The bottom photo is an infrared image of a massive January 1998 storm.)

International Builders' Show Product Preview: Quadra-Fire Edge 60 Pellet-Burning Fireplace

Looking to stay warm without burning through piles of cash? We've offered lots of coverage, from basic tips to detailed reports on compact fluorescent lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, space heaters, tankless water heaters, and windows. Pellet- and wood-burning stoves have become extremely popular in recent years, and manufacturers have targeted consumers eager to lower their annual heating bills.

Quadra-Fire has introduced the Edge 60 pellet-burning fireplace, which it says can burn wood, grass, corn, or wheat pellets. Its hopper will hold 120 pounds of pellets, enough for about 7 days of operation, according to the manufacturer. It's equipped with a programmable thermostat that's designed to regulate heat output. Likewise, an automatic self-cleaning feature is supposed to relieve you of some maintenance chores. At $6,000 to $7,200 without installation, the Edge 60 is pricey for a supplemental heat source.

Look for our report and wood and pellet stoves next fall.—Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman

Don't let energy savings go up and out the chimney

After using these simple and effective ways to cut your energy bills, you can invest a bit more money for even greater savings. When orchestrated effectively, the products covered below might reap some real financial rewards for you.

Programmable thermostats
Our report on programmable thermostats found they can cut your heating bills by as much as 20 percent. Some highly rated models cost as little as $35, and you can install them easily with our step-by-step instructions. During winter, program your thermostat to automatically lower the temperature 5°F at night (while you sleep) and 10°F during the day (when no one is home) to realize savings. "These simple adjustments should not affect comfort yet can cut your heating bill by as much as 20 percent," says Jim Nanni, manager of the appliance and home-improvement testing department for Consumer Reports.

Multiple thermostats let you deliver different amounts of heating to different parts of the home, if you can concentrate your activities in a single zone and leave the others unheated for as long as possible. For every 1°F you lower a thermostat setting, you will save about 3 percent on your heating costs.

Space heaters
Based on national average prices for electricity and natural gas and the efficiency of the typical gas-heating system, electric space heaters cost twice as much to operate as a gas-heating system if you simply heat your home to the same temperature. However, if you lower the temperature set point for your home thermostat(s) and heat only the room you occupy with a space heater, you replicate some of the benefits of multiple-zone heating.

Our report on these appliances revealed improved models that are quieter, provide more consistent heat and can be wall mounted. Convection models spread their heat over large areas better than radiant models, and some models now have thermostats.

Your savings will depend on how big the room is relative to the rest of the house and how well separated the room is from others in your home. See our safety video (above) to avoid a tragedy at your home. 

Fireplace inserts, wood and pellet stoves
Fireplaces excel at channeling expensively heated air from the rest of your house up the chimney. Wood- and pellet-burning fireplace inserts and freestanding stoves control excess airflow up the chimney and circulate indoor air for better heating, but even these models have lower efficiencies than a gas furnace. Therefore, the only time these appliances make financial sense is when the fuel cost—after adjusting for the difference in operating efficiency—is lower. Even though wood and pellet prices have been rising this winter, this fuel still costs less per Btu generated than oil, propane, and electricity and just a bit more than natural gas. Once you consider payback on the stove purchase and factor in the labor to tend to this equipment, these appliances might not be as attractive as they initially seem.  

Another energy-saving option is a direct-vent, sealed-combustion natural-gas fireplace. We've found that these units have an annual fuel-utilization efficiency (AFUE) of about 70 percent compared with only 25 percent for a conventional fireplace. You won't have to deal with cleaning and fueling a wood or pellet-fired stove and you'll still have a backup heat source in case your main burner or boiler quits.

Are EdenPure space heaters just a lot of hot air?

Surely you've seen a full-page ad in a major newspaper for EdenPure space heaters, heard veteran radio commentator Paul Harvey tout them on his national radio program, or read the comments—both glowing and negative—from owners of these appliances on Web forums.

The newspaper and radio ads, including one in the October 29, 2008, edition of The Wall Street Journal, promote the EdenPure Model GEN3 500 and the Model GEN3 1000 (shown) as a "new advanced portable heater that can cut your heating bill by up to 50%," promising that you'll "never be cold again." One hype-filled newspaper ad also features a Q&A with Julius Toth, director of product development for BioTech Research, in which Toth espouses the many benefits of these heaters. (BioTech Research, whose slogan is "Better health through technology," offers a slew of other promised-filled products, including the AbGone Pill, Instant Facelift, and the Smellkiller Air Cleanser.)

We have not tested the GEN3 500 or 1000 models, which, according to a customer-service representative at BioTech Research, has seen "major improvements" from the brand's Quartz Infrared 1000, $400, which we tested for our 2007 report on space heaters. Let's just say that our experts were not transported to paradise by the EdenPure we did review.

The unit was the second-lowest-scoring space heater we tested, earning only a 24 out on our 100-point scale. According to the folks in our Tech department who tested space heaters, the EdenPure provided lackluster temperature control and was not particularly easy to use, What's more, it was pricey and lacked an overheat-protection feature (key for safety). The GEN3 models do have this important safety feature, according to BioTech Research.

If you're in the market for a new space heater, be dubious about any heater whose manufacturer claims the appliance will slash your heating bills. Here's why:

For every degree that you lower your home thermostat in the winter, you'll save about 3 percent on heating costs. So the only way to really save with a space heater would be to use the unit in the room you're in and turn down the thermostat elsewhere in the house so that your main heating system would not operate. To save 50 percent on your heating bill, you'd have to lower the home thermostat about 17°F. Also, based on national average fuel prices, using an electric space costs more than twice as much to operate as a natural-gas-fueled central-heating system.

Before you shop for a space heater, read our report, which includes buying advice and ratings of electric convection, electric fan-forced, and electric radiant models. We also tested propane and kerosene models but found a safety risk with that type.

Essential information: Read our recent tip of the day to learn how to save money on heating this winter and, perhaps, boost the value of your home.

Q&A: Are propane space heaters safe?

I'm considering getting a propane or kerosene space heater to try to save on heating costs this winter. Any concerns about these heaters?

Propane and kerosene heaters produce a lot of heat, but there are safety issues associated with these units, as we found during our lab tests of two propane and two kerosene last year. For more details, read this story on the safety risks.

If you're in the market for a space heater, read our latest report and refer to our ratings (available to subscribers).

Essential information: Discover easy ways to save energy in the October 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, which also features an in-depth look at the Energy Star program and a review of tankless water heaters.