Bailis estimated that, if your wood consumption isn’t causing a net loss of trees, which is a safe bet in most of the United States, a fire pit would result in roughly the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as a propane heater?
So, unless your energy comes from renewables, in which case an electric patio heater is best, you’ll have to base your decision on cost, local air quality and personal preference?
That, again, depends on where you’re getting your energy, said Jin Wen, an energy efficiency expert and professor at Drexel University.If you have electric baseboards, she said, it’s generally more efficient to lower the thermostat and use a space heater where you’re working.But if you have a high-efficiency heat pump, you should rely on that and skip the space heater entirely.
In other words, when used somewhere you don’t control the heat, like a shared office or an apartment building with a central thermostat, simply knowing you could turn on a space heater might make you more tolerant of cooler temperatures.Amann said other changes, such as purchasing LED bulbs, adding insulation and regularly changing your air filter could make a bigger difference over time than running or not running a space heater.
Since homes lose 25 percent to 30 percent of their heat through windows, she said it’s imperative to take steps like weatherstripping, plastic-wrapping and hanging shades or curtains