Off-Peak Heating System FAQ

“I have never heard of Steffes Heating Systems. Are they new?”

Steffes has been producing off-peak Heating Systems in North America for over 25 years. Steffes Heating Systems are designed to work with off-peak electric rates and renewable energy resources to give the most comfortable and economical heating available.

“How can Steffes Heating Systems be applied in my home?”

There are several 3 main Steffes Heating System options available for your home.

Individual room heating units (2100 series) can be used either alone or in conjunction with electric baseboard, cove heaters, etc. 2100 series units are also used to replace wood or pallet stoves.
The Comfort Plus (3100 and 4100 series) centrally ducted system is generally used as a whole house heating system. It can be used as a stand-alone furnace or can be combined with a heat pump to offer even better efficiencies and lower operating costs.
The Comfort Plus Hydronic (5100) can be used for baseboard or radiant floor heating as well as provide forced air heating at the same time.

"How much does it cost?"

Cost of a Steffes system will vary depending on size of home, local outdoor temperatures and other factors. Many times, a Steffes Heating System will cost more upfront; however, it will cash flow itself starting on day 1. A typical home will see savings of more than $800/year. Of course, the cost of operation is directly related to the amount of heat loss the unit is to satisfy and the off-peak heating rate available. Since space and water heating, during a heating season, generally consume the most energy in the home, significant savings can be realized using ETS equipment with off-peak electric rates. Contact a dealer near you to get an estimate for your application.

“I have a 1000sf home. What size equipment do I need?”

There are several factors involved in determining the correct size(s) of equipment for your home. The cubic area, quality of home construction (insulation values), number and size of windows and doors, and number of off-peak hours available are all factors involved in making this determination. Contact a dealer near you for assistance in sizing or selecting a unit for your application.

“What type of maintenance is required?”

Like most electric heating systems, Steffes Heating systems require very little maintenance. It is suggested to regularly clean around the heater and make sure no debris falls behind the equipment. In addition, on centrally ducted systems, regularly replace the air filter so optimum efficiency can be maintained.

“How long will the Steffes Heating System hold heat?”

The Steffes Heating System is generally sized to satisfy heating requirements on the coldest days of the year. If sized properly, the equipment will satisfy the owners desired comfort at all times. The brick core used to store the heat in the equipment is well insulated so static heat dissipation is minimized. The heating equipment has the ability to discharge heat even while it is storing heat during off-peak hours.

“What happens if the unit is charged up, and I don’t need heat? Is that heat wasted?”

The Steffes Heating System is well insulated so the majority of the heat is retained in the brick cavity until needed. There is a small amount heat radiated from the heater; however, this usually goes into the conditioned space of the home. Therefore, the heat is fully utilized.

“How do I get the heat out of the heater?”

The discharge of heat from the Steffes Heating System is controlled with fans/blowers. These fans/blowers operate as needed to satisfy the heating requirements of the area as sensed by a room temperature thermostat. When there is a need for heat, the room thermostat signals the fans/blowers to operate and discharge heat. When the heating requirement has been satisfied, the fans/blowers turn off.

“What is the life expectancy of the heater?”

This equipment is designed to provide many years of operation to you. Life expectancy depends on proper sizing, installation and environment it is operating in. The Steffes Heating System equipment has proven to be very reliable and has a five-year limited manufacturer’s parts warranty.

“Can I recess the room unit into a wall?”

Yes, however, the specified minimum clearances must be adhered to.

“Does this unit store “COLD” in the summer time?”

No. This unit is strictly a heat storage device. Cool storage requires a different storage medium currently not developed.

“Can I install the equipment in my garage or workshop?”

Yes, caution is recommended since this environment is prone to more dust and airborne particles and may have varnish, paint or other odors present, caution is recommended. Many states have codes require the use of an 18" stand in these applications.

“We painted over the weekend, and now there is a foul smell coming from the heater. What is it?”

You are experiencing what is called odor amplification. The Steffes Heating system will draw room odors through its hot core. When this happens, the odors can be amplified. It is suggested to not operate the ETS heater when you are painting, varnishing, or doing anything else which causes a higher than normal level of airborne fumes or aerosols.