Are you looking for an alternative to heating your home the usual way? Whether you’re looking for a system to install in new construction or a way to increase the heating capacity of your existing home, there are several options you can consider.
Here are some of the top alternative heating systems on the market today.
Wood Burning Furnace
The grandfather of alternative heating systems is the wood-burning stove. Burning wood for heat is older than civilization itself and feels like an entirely natural method. People love the simplicity and nostalgia of this system.
However, it is important to note that wood-burning stoves produce very large amounts of particulate pollution. According to Treehugger.com, “Even an EPA-certified low-emission stove emits enough fine particulate pollution in 2.5 days as a car does in a year.” If your goal is to go off-grid because you care about the environment, a wood-burning stove may not be the solution you’re looking for.
Pellet Stove
A pellet stove similar to a wood burning stove but has lower emissions and uses a convenient thermostat. The fuel for these stoves is small pellets made from waste materials or easily renewable resources such as sawdust or switch grass, which also tend to be very clean.
The fan helps circulate warm air from the stove. The downside to pellet stoves is that they need regular cleaning and their sophisticated design means they need to be properly maintained by a professional if they are to last long.
Stone Heater
Other alternative heating system is a rock heater. They are very compact and very efficient, producing more heat and less pollution than pellet or wood stoves. Stone heaters look like a traditional fireplace and are built to trap heat efficiently.
These units typically burn wood, but at a slower rate than a traditional wood-burning stove, and direct the heat generated through the walls. Hot bricks release their heat into your home very slowly, over 12 to 24 hours.
Passive Solar Heating
Passive solar power is the ideal heat source in many ways. Unlike most systems, once the solar system is installed, you can enjoy free heat each month. The downside is that solar power installations can be very expensive.
If your location gets a lot of sunlight and you’re currently spending money on expensive fuels like oil heating, solar power could be an excellent option for you. And if you cover carefully in heat generated by your solar system, you can get free heat for life.
Salamander Heater
The salamander heater is a relatively large, portable type of forced-air heater, which runs on propane or kerosene but also requires electricity to be powered.
While it is often used on construction sites, it is also ideal for residential projects. To learn more, read this salamander heater review.
Warms People, Not Rooms
Whichever method you choose, you can complement your system by thinking about keeping people warm rather than the room. Wearing slippers or a sweater, snuggling under an afghan, or keeping a space heater nearby are all ways to keep people warm even if the room is a bit chilly.
If you’re looking for a way to go completely off the grid, expect to spend a few thousand dollars up front buying and installing a good alternative system. After that, your energy costs will drop significantly.
