allykat's Profile

Thanks so much for all your help. This site has been incredibly helpful.

Having survived some truly brutal winters in New England, I can say with great confidence (after trying out every kind of heater) that the oil-filled heaters are the most effective for me. They do consume electricity (what doesn't), but you can be smart in how you use them. For example, I use rugs and slippers around the house, dress relatively warmly (full-sleeved clothing and socks, as opposed to shorts and barefeet). Plus, I only use the heaters cyclically...turning them periodically on and off to maintain an ambient temperature. They do a great job of heating the place even when they are off, thanks to the heated oil.

Those of you who are allergic to ceramic filters, i've had similar problems. But i've found that it can be attributed to any of the following - dehydration, dust and/or an aversion to artificial breezes (those generated by fans). In my experience, ceramic heaters have a tendency to dry up the air significantly faster than other types, and some people are extremely sensitive to dryness/dehydration (this can also be from potassium or calcium deficiencies). If your lips or skin chap easily or you have a tendency to cramp easily, this might be the case. So moisturize and hydrate. Another option is to put a steel/ceramic bowl of water near your heater, to humidify your area.

You should know about whether you have dust allergies or not, based on your own experiences in the spring or when you are out and about. You may be allergic to ceramic itself, but this is quite rare (based on what a doctor told me). It could also be that you are sensitive to artificial breeze, as I am. Put a fan blowing in my face while I sleep (even in the hot summer) and I wake up stuffy in the morning. The allergist said that this is normal for a few people and all it means is to avoid that situation.

Hope this helps!