How to Calculate Electric Heater Usage

Your electric heater usage could be the reason your energy bills are so high.

Calculating and adjusting your household energy usage can assist you in becoming more energy efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2006 32 percent of residential energy consumption in the United States was devoted to space heating. By calculating the electric heater usage in your home, you can challenge yourself and your family to cut back on energy use and save money in the process.

Instructions

1. Collect the previous 12 months of electricity bills. Review these bills and take note of the differences between warm months when the electric heat is turned off and cold months when the heat is on.

2. List the totals of the coldest six months (Oct. 1 to March 31) on a piece of paper and add them. Record the total at the bottom of the list.

3. List the totals of the warmest six months (April 1 to Sept. 30) beside the previous list and add them. Record the total at the bottom of the list.

4. Subtract the coldest months total from the warmest months total. The difference will be your average electric heater usage for the year.

Tips & Warnings

• Turning the heat down a couple of degrees and see if you are still comfortable in your home.

• Close off rooms that aren't in use and turn the heat off in these rooms.

• During the colder months, unplug unnecessary appliances and electronic devices that are not in use to offset the extra electricity used for heating.

References

• U.S. Department of Energy: Annual Energy Outlook Appendixes
• U.S. Energy Information Administration: Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook

Resources

• Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute: Global Initiatives
• Natural Resources Canada: Heating with Electricity