So if I was to find a stand-alone/portable electric heat source that plugs into a regular wall plug, and only care about heating a 200-sf space--- what would be dependable? Our winter temperatures are usually in the 30's-50's for most of the winter, with the occasional 10's and 20's during the coldest part, and very rarely getting into single digits/under zero. --137.118.xx.xxx

It is still the same amount of heat. --76.104.xxx.xx

I am going to try one of the milkhouse heaters this weekend. I will let you know the result. You can look at my post below "heaters" to see the one that I am referring to. --73.113.xxx.xxx

On the plus side, I'm hoping I can squeeze in one final renovation between now and Christmas. --137.118.xx.xxx

Why not electric recessed wall heaters? Available on Amazon with no driving around. --47.32.xxx.xxx

What Homer said. We installed one in an attic space on a rehab we sold years ago. Was installed in the middle of the room on an inner wall. --75.11.xx.xx

Lasko Oscillating Ceramic Designer Series Space Heater for Home with Adjustable Thermostat, Timer and 2-Speeds, 16 Inches, 1500W, Beige, 6405 (Amazon $60) --47.156.xx.xx

The future is to upgrade insulation so to minimize heat loss and heat gain then the HVAC can be downsized. In the house starting to spray foam walls and ceilings where this year installing vents on rafters then going to seal up rafters to isolate from attic so heat loss and heat gain is reduced. Tonight it is slightly below freezing where this year using high efficiency gas furnace less. Most mini splits use 240 VAC as there is more wattage required where 120 VAC is going to limit output. Better quality units will heat down to lower temperatures. In Germany they are installing insulation on outside then stucco over insulation where very buildings there was brick. Sooner or later coal fired power stations are phased out then the cost of electricity is going to go up subatancially. Radiant floor electric heat for a larger room where 240 VAC required which is mor efficient then other forms of electric heat. Also upgrading windows and doors will reduce heat loss and heat gain as well. Since installing a new front door and storm door the heat loss is reduced as now air tight as possible. Here there are net zero houses then have very low Evheat loss and heat gain where the walls have R 50 and ceiings have R 90 along with triple pane low E windows where solar provides power and heat source. If have a thermal camera then will able to see where heat loss and heat gain is. --68.69.xxx.xxx

BTW, these are insulated walls and ceiling but the downstairs is not being heated and has a garage door to where air comes in to a small degree. --73.113.xxx.xxx

--154.21.xx.xxx

--149.76.xxx.x

We have them in many many units, sole source of heat and air, and no one complains about them ever. It's kind of shocking because some tenants will complain about anything, as we all know. We actually get more complaints / issues / problems with the central units. --50.82.xxx.xxx

VTACs are also a installed in hotels. They are vertical units. I am looking into them for an ADU, as I think I can run some ducting with them. They should also be tax efficient, like PTACs. My understanding is that they are considered appliances, so you can deduct the entire cost of them during the year of installation. I am not an accountant. --154.21.xx.xxx

Sorry for going off on a tangent. It felt like a good time for an EIFS commercial. --107.141.xx.xxx

Find a way to have a 220 outlet and cut into the exterior and frame an opening for a boxed cool/heat pump, like a hotel PTAC but this is off the floor in the wall. --76.190.xxx.xxx

Vee, I think that would be a VTAC. --154.21.xx.xxx

Most jurisdictions will not permit space heaters as primary source of heat where have to careful as make sure wiring is not overloaded. Use only when working along have a fire extinguisher on hand. Drywall renovation will create a lot of dust where that can be a real problem with a forced air furnace which can clog up heat exchanger. If water is drain out then that will minimize pipes freezing up. Air filtration will cause a lot heat loss in a building where sealing up would reduce heat loss. In the house there is garbage moldy fiberglass insulation where when some walls were broken out then spray foamed along with installing a bubble wrap where heat transfer from wooden studs were reduced along sealing up tape then the wall was completely air tight. Here the government insulation programs push fiberglass insulation which is the lowest cost but after a while develops air pockets and mold. Roxul batt remains constant along no mold problems. Water has four times the thermal conductivity of air where once there is condensation where the insulation is useless. Once at the HD people are still buying that garbage insulation. I would give them for free the fiberglass insulation that taking where in the ceiling there is less mold but some is still good. Solid board insulation is ideal for basements where sealing up then drywall. --68.69.xxx.xxx

If you have 220 available, I'd definitely use it. Much safer. Does not overload the wiring and overheat it. --216.218.xxx.xx

Big thanks to everyone for their good advice and experience! --137.118.xx.xxx

Isn't Deanna the one with the windmill and panels who lives way out in Nowhere TX? How about propane for your heat source with an additional heater and a tank? You are trying to kill an elephant with a fly swatter. --71.188.xx.xxx

Wnat is done with exterior insulation is solid board insulation is installed over brick then stucco is installed over. It is possible to paint what colour that suits people. No emissions as stucco will seal everyting up. Air filtration is the greatest source of heat loss where a air tight building will keep heat in winter and heat out in summer. The future is using less natural gas, less oil not some political donation to a political party that is going backwards. It is common here every once in while people vote for a provincail Socialist Democratic Party where most never last more then four years then voted out. I remember the one term Socialist Democratic Party was voted in the province of Ontario then next election the Progressive Conservatives came in with a majority. Those fools listened to leftist hate groups who do not believe in private sector ownership of rental housing where they brought in penalties for energy conservation where tenants could apply for rent reduction under rent control if annual operating costs were reduced where one November 20th day 20,000 jobs were lost where the building owners cancelled plans to replace boilers with high efficiency gas boilers where most of job loss effected tenants who never voted for that regressvie party again as what good is rent control penalties if you do not have a job. Rental housing here employs local people with good paying jobs. Around the world regressive governments last one term where never elected again. Last provincial election here the Liberal leader did not even win a seat in riding where that was how was how unpopular the Liberals were in Ontario. He went on to be elected as a mayor where a lot of leftist policians do that. Like any private for profit industry people look for reducing operating costs where the building goes up in value along with a lower emissions More insulaiton the HVAC system last longer less breakdowns as there is less wear and tear. You can not reason with stupidity of the leftist nutcases. --68.69.xxx.xxx