Is the "Amish Heater" an energy saver or energy suck?

The $320 Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow electric fireplace -- perhaps better known as the "Amish Heater" in advertisements -- is a space heater that's designed to resemble a traditional wood fireplace. The infomercial suggests that the Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow was invented by the Amish, who disavow the use of electricity. The validity of this claim has sparked many media probes, including an article in The New York Times. If you read the fine print, you'll find that the so-called "Amish Heater" is actually made in China, but the Amish are responsible for the handcrafted wooden mantle that encloses it. So, is there a reason to pay more than $300 for this space heater?

We don't think so. In our research, we didn't find this space heater to perform any better than those that cost far, far less.

Features-wise, the Heat Surge heater has wheels, so it can be rolled from room to room as needed. You can adjust the heat output and power depending on room size (there are 750 and 1500-watt settings on the unit), but there's no thermostat, so you can't specify temperature.

The ads also claim that the Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow electric fireplace consumes less electricity than an electric coffeemaker, allowing you to save lots of money on your home heating bills. However, ConsumerSearch found plenty of evidence to the contrary.

In 2008, the manufacturer (Heat Surge LLC) received hundreds of complaints about the heater and had a D+ rating at Canton, Ohio's Better Business Bureau. Since then, Heat Surge says it has made improvements by increasing the number of customer service staffers, extending customer service hours, and expediting refunds. As a result, 274 of the 281 complaints were resolved, and the company's rating was raised from a D+ to a B.

Dubious money-saving claims

Since many of the complaints at the Better Business Bureau involve customer service issues and defective units, it's difficult to gauge the Heat Surge's money-saving abilities there. For a better perspective, we turn to a review of the Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow conducted by KABC (Los Angeles). Palm Springs resident Robert Slocum used the Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow in his home and says the advertising claims are totally false. Slocum didn't receive the promised energy-saving benefits; in contrast, his electric bill actually increased, so he stopped using the heater altogether. To echo this point, Southern California Edison tells KABC that "space heaters in general are energy hogs and only designed to heat one room at a time."

ConsumerReports.org also reviews the Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow in its Home & Garden Blog, and draws the same conclusion. Although they deem the unit convenient, safe and aesthetically pleasing, they also acknowledge that the heater will not save you any money. Since electricity costs up to two and a half times more than heating oil or natural gas, the Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow will likely cost you more in the long run.