Furnace vs. Space Heater in Weekender

[OpenWater]

Hey Folks,

I've got a weekender up in the Catskills in NY. Last winter (my first winter), when I left the place on Sunday, I used a basement LP space heater to keep the place @ about 45 degrees. This worked fine. I'm wondering if it makes more $$ sense to use the furnace (LP forced air) to keep the place from freezing up. The furnace is rated @ 93% efficiency. Could be a six in one half and a half dozen in the other situation, or could I save some $$ by using the furnace last winter! Welcome any and all thoughts...

Cheers,

Chris

 

[OpenWater]

Hey PE,

Thanks for the input. What do you mean by payback?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[pcampbell]

Humidity is not a good thing in a basement, generally. Is the basement heater vented?

 

[OpenWater]

Last winter, when we were there, we heated with the furnace, using only the space heater when we were not there. Space heater is ventless, and does not run while we are there due to the fact that it is does not have a vent. We have a lot of power-outages in the area. The space heater is pilot only, while the furnace needs electricity to fire, so the space heater was originally installed purely as back-up. I ended up using it to keep the place from freezing. Hmmm....the humidity is a good point. Never thought of that, although I have not noticed anything unusual. I'll have a wood stove in there this winter to supplement the furnace. Appreciate you thoughts...

CB