Stay Warm This Winter for Less
Wikipedia states that the average household in the USA spends a massive 32% of its entire electricity bill for a year on space heaters. This seems crazy to me. Especially when we are constantly reminded that space heaters are more economical than central heating.
Well, yes, it is indeed more cost effective to heat one room properly than to heat an entire house. And by turning down the central heating and using a space heater in the living room when everyone is watching TV you do cut down electricity bills. Of course it is right to focus on smaller areas to heat thoroughly during the cold winter months.
The problem is that the theory is not taken far enough. Why try and heat an entire room when the only space that it is important to heat is the air surrounding the bodies of the inhabitants of the room? This is something the Japanese have known for decades. Electricity is really expensive in Japan. The solution for the Japanese is to use a kotatsu. A kotatsu is a low table with a heater attached to the underside. A blanket or quilt is placed over the table, and over the blanket is placed the table surface. The blanket captures all the heat given off by the heater. You sit on a pillow and put half your body under the kotatsu table and you soon warm up. Indeed it gets so toasty warm that it is necessary to turn the heater setting to half. It is very comfortable, especially if you can lean back. Many people once they get in a kotatsu just don’t want to get out. Instead they snuggle down and start dozing.
A space heater uses 1000 watts to 1500 watts in electricity. A kotatsu heater uses between 500 and 400 watts. Factor in that you might only use it at half power and you save yourself 75% of the money you would spend on one space heater. Over an entire winter that is a big saving. A saving so big that it will pay for a kotatsu and cover set.
Finally, kotatsus are wonderfully sociable. Family and friends in Japan gather around them to keep warm in the evening. They eat dinner, watch TV, play card games and drink sake. The kotatsu creates a good atmosphere and brings people literally and metaphorically together. So what can be better – a piece of furniture that not only saves you money but also brings more fun and love into your life.
Related posts:
- Keeping Dogs Warm in Winter
- Stay Safe When Shopping Online
- Smart Strip LCG5 Energy Saving Power Strip
You need to login to post comments!