Candles versus electric heater?

Question

Say you have a small bathroom. You light a large candle in it and keep the door closed. Not counting the fact that you will need extra heat to shower, which is more energy efficient?

Answer 1

Unless you got the candle at a steep discount or it "fell off the back of a truck", it will be more economical to use the heater. Leaving a candle unattended, even in a closed bathroom, is not a good idea anyhow.

Edit: Larry is comparing apples to oranges. A candle won't put out anything close to the equivalent of that $0.30/hour heater. You can heat a small house for $0.30 an hour.

Answer 2

I agree with a lot of the other PP, a candle takes a lot of energy to be manufactured plus if you burn down your home you emiting toxins into the atmosphere and the lumber that it would cost to re-build your home is not all so nice to the environment either.  A small energy efficient heater, used properly (as they can be a fire hazard as well) I think is more economical and a lot more friendly to the environment!

Answer 3

The candle is more energy efficient because it gives off it's own energy after you light it....no further "power" needed...however, the heater will give off more heat. So efficiency is in the eye of the beholder at this point? Do you want more or less heat?

Answer 4

I liked the last guys answer

Answer 5

Candles are pretty and heat (a little bit), but don't forget they chemically mess with the air (not like a electric heater), cheaper brands possibly emit unhealthy stuff

Answer 6

Hey man...

How long is your shower? your trying to save money on heat..... try saving some of our water, conservation is the word you should be practicing. after all isn't the water from the shower warm/hot? toughen up take shower with out candles or a heater just jump in then out, then go about your day. how bad could it be? here's a test.... whats the word for the day... good boy, now go practice it.   later man.

Answer 7

The heater.  There was a lot of energy used in the manufacture of that candle, and of the components needed to make it.

Answer 8

The candle is by far.  An electric heater runs about 30 cents an hour to run.  Candles can be purchased for 6/dollar.