Even though winter is the farthest thing from many minds right now, this is the perfect time to start thinking about your heating options. As heating oil and propane costs skyrocket, many homeowners are starting to think about different ways that they can save money on their heating costs. Here is a quick overview of the different options that are now available.
1. Wood stoves -
The old standard, but they still work. A wood stove should not be confused with a fireplace. These stoves are stand alone and must be vented through a pipe in the wall. They are incredibly efficient and can put out quite a lot of heat. Many are also made of materials that hold in the heat, making it last even longer. They do however require a lot of wood, which can be expensive and cumbersome to deal with. This option is best for those with plenty of storage space.
2. Corn stoves -
This is a new take on the old wood stove and it uses corn pellets to create heat. However, the popularity of ethanol has driven up the price of corn, and the weather may cause a great deal of shortages this coming winter. These stoves also have a tendency to leave a lot of black soot in the area and are not recommended for people with breathing disorders
3. Radiant floor heating -
This type of heating system utilizes small tubes that are placed in the flooring. Hot water is run through them on a constant basis, heating the room. These are pretty efficient, but very expensive to install. They are usually worth the effort, until one tube breaks and you have to rip up the flooring to replace it. This is usually best reserved for new home builds or those that are completely renovating their homes.
4. Electric baseboard or alcove heating -
These little heaters actually work pretty well and with the right installation, they can heat a whole room. There are still some complaints about cold pockets however with many of these heaters. The main downside is that they are usually not very energy efficient and can cause quite a drain on your wallet.
5. Central electric heating -
Right now, this may be the most economical choice for many homeowners. These furnaces are usually pretty efficient and run cleanly. You will need to change out the filters occasionally, but they are a great alternative if you've got a propane furnace that you need to replace.
6. Central propane heating -
As mentioned previously, propane prices are still quite high and these furnaces range from being very efficient to being very costly. Overall, they are probably the easiest to deal with, but right now, they are not the most economical. Until gas prices dip, many homeowners are just not willing to make the jump to switching to propane and with good reason. However, if your electric bills could already choke a horse, you may actually be able to save money in the long run with one of these furnaces.
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Originally posted 2008-08-18 05:57:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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