What Alternate Heating Methods Can You Use This Winter?

While a central furnace can heat your home effectively, there are alternate heating options that may be well worth considering. Knowing what these alternate heating options have to offer will help you make a sound decision. Here are some alternate heating methods you can utilize to warm your home in the winter.

Radiant Heating

Radiant heating provides warmth from metal or plastic tubing or pipes that are installed underneath your floors, inside your walls, or above your ceilings. It warms surfaces rather than blowing air out of your vents. Because radiant systems eliminate the heat loss that usually occurs when heated air moves through ductwork, they’re more energy efficient than forced-air systems. They also typically require less maintenance.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heat pumps use heat from the ground to warm your home during the winter. Underground temperature is relatively constant, ranging from 45 to 75 degrees. A geothermal heat pump is connected to a loop of pipes containing heat-absorbing fluid. The fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and pushes it upward, where the heat pump can distribute it throughout your home.

Portable Space Heaters

Space heaters allow you to heat the individual rooms in use at a given time. You can use them to raise the temperature in particular rooms, such as the nursery or rooms used by elderly family members, without affecting the temperature of the rest of your home. Make sure you use space heaters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and guidelines to prevent them from causing fires.

Masonry Heaters

A masonry heater or stove resembles a freestanding fireplace and burns specially formulated wood pellets. Modern models can burn wood rapidly, store lots of heat in their thermal mass, and slowly radiate the heat into your home for 18 to 24 hours. A masonry stove is heavy, so you’ll need to ensure your floor can accommodate its weight before installing it.

Whichever alternate heating system you choose, ensure that it receives the maintenance it needs to keep it working correctly. For more information on alternate heating methods for your home, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide heating and AC installation, repair, and maintenance services to Lorain-area residents.