Six Home Heating Alternatives- Part Two
http://www.websitecontent.com/Six-Home-Heating-Alternatives--Part-Two/a12620_1
Victoria
By Victoria
Published on 06/22/2009
Second part of the article exploring alternatives to traditional home heating systems in order to save money and the environment in the process.
Six Home Heating Alternatives- Part Two
4. Active Solar Energy
This works on the same principles as passive solar energy but utilises mechanical methods to harvest the sun's energy.
The machines use fluid or air to absorb solar radiation in to a collector. The heat is stored until it is required for distribution, whereby it is dispersed via fans or pumps.
The main benefit of solar power is that it is free, so homeowners who utilise it will be safe from rising fuel prices.
The cost of installing an active solar system depends on the size of the house it will supply, what existing heating systems are in place and of course, climate. A system using 4-6 collectors in order to provide enough energy to heat a 2,000ft² house can cost between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars (estimated by global solar/thermal energy systems company Apricus Solar).
The Department of Energy calculates that with an efficient solar energy system in place a house can save between 40% and 80%.
What the system doesn't save during the winter due to less sunlight, it saves in the summer by heating water.
All-in-all, those with the money to invest, in the right area would benefit hugely in the long run from an active solar energy system.
5. Wood Burning Stoves
Years ago these stoves were a lot less efficient and sometimes even dangerous but with substantial developments and utility bills for gas and oil users ever increasing, more and more people are resorting back to traditional wood burning stoves.
Let's compare the costs of oil and wood.
o 1 Gallon of heating oil= 138,690 British Thermal Units (BTU) meaning a price per million BTU of $31.29 and rising.
o 1 Cord of wood= 22,000,000 BTU meaning a price per million BTU of just $9!
The cost of a stove and installation is usually less than $1000, and if the stove is able to be installed in an existing fireplace, even more money can be saved, as no extra space needs to be created for it.
Before you start reflecting back to Grandma's stove that sucked all of the heat out of the house; modern stoves actually burn twice- firstly the raw material and then before they escape up the chimney, it burns the gases and particles given off from the primary burn. This means more heat is generated.
Similar to other sources, whether a house is suitable for a wood burning system depends on where it is situated. City dwellers will have to pay increased prices for wood as it has to be transported further (which uses gas and oil).
Similarly, it may not be an option for those who wish to convert energy sources for environmental reasons as well as financial, as it is clearly not sustainable, and the burning of wood contributes to pollution levels.
6. Pellet Burning Stoves
If you are put off by the disadvantages of wood burning stoves then an excellent alternative could be a pellet burning one. Pellet burners are a cleaner option, as the pellets are made from waste and recycled materials such as nutshells, sawdust, corn and other biomass excess. They are also much more efficient than wood as they have higher combustion values, and are easier to handle and transport.
The energy source is supported by The Environmental Protection Agency, describing pellet burners as some of the "cleanest-burning heating appliances available today" which makes them exempt from smoke emission testing- a major benefit.
Pellet burners seem to be amongst the most economical with installation costing around $1,700-$3,000, and most do not require the construction of a chimney as they are directly vented.
The fuel is normally traded in 40lb sacks and a house using this energy source alone burns 2-3 tons per annum, at $120-$200 a ton (figures from Department of Energy).
The only significant disadvantage of pellet burners is that unlike wood burners they have controls and fans that need external energy to function.
In conclusion, there are pros and cons to converting to any of these energy sources.
There is no one blanket answer to suit all. Homeowners must evaluate their individual requirements according to their own situation, taking into account locality, climate, budget for investment and the size of the property.
It is advisable to shop around in order to find the company that provides the best quote and service. Companies are aware of their competition and so will try their best to accommodate where possible, so question the first figure you are given.
This works on the same principles as passive solar energy but utilises mechanical methods to harvest the sun's energy.
The machines use fluid or air to absorb solar radiation in to a collector. The heat is stored until it is required for distribution, whereby it is dispersed via fans or pumps.
The main benefit of solar power is that it is free, so homeowners who utilise it will be safe from rising fuel prices.
The cost of installing an active solar system depends on the size of the house it will supply, what existing heating systems are in place and of course, climate. A system using 4-6 collectors in order to provide enough energy to heat a 2,000ft² house can cost between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars (estimated by global solar/thermal energy systems company Apricus Solar).
The Department of Energy calculates that with an efficient solar energy system in place a house can save between 40% and 80%.
What the system doesn't save during the winter due to less sunlight, it saves in the summer by heating water.
All-in-all, those with the money to invest, in the right area would benefit hugely in the long run from an active solar energy system.
5. Wood Burning Stoves
Years ago these stoves were a lot less efficient and sometimes even dangerous but with substantial developments and utility bills for gas and oil users ever increasing, more and more people are resorting back to traditional wood burning stoves.
Let's compare the costs of oil and wood.
o 1 Gallon of heating oil= 138,690 British Thermal Units (BTU) meaning a price per million BTU of $31.29 and rising.
o 1 Cord of wood= 22,000,000 BTU meaning a price per million BTU of just $9!
The cost of a stove and installation is usually less than $1000, and if the stove is able to be installed in an existing fireplace, even more money can be saved, as no extra space needs to be created for it.
Before you start reflecting back to Grandma's stove that sucked all of the heat out of the house; modern stoves actually burn twice- firstly the raw material and then before they escape up the chimney, it burns the gases and particles given off from the primary burn. This means more heat is generated.
Similar to other sources, whether a house is suitable for a wood burning system depends on where it is situated. City dwellers will have to pay increased prices for wood as it has to be transported further (which uses gas and oil).
Similarly, it may not be an option for those who wish to convert energy sources for environmental reasons as well as financial, as it is clearly not sustainable, and the burning of wood contributes to pollution levels.
6. Pellet Burning Stoves
If you are put off by the disadvantages of wood burning stoves then an excellent alternative could be a pellet burning one. Pellet burners are a cleaner option, as the pellets are made from waste and recycled materials such as nutshells, sawdust, corn and other biomass excess. They are also much more efficient than wood as they have higher combustion values, and are easier to handle and transport.
The energy source is supported by The Environmental Protection Agency, describing pellet burners as some of the "cleanest-burning heating appliances available today" which makes them exempt from smoke emission testing- a major benefit.
Pellet burners seem to be amongst the most economical with installation costing around $1,700-$3,000, and most do not require the construction of a chimney as they are directly vented.
The fuel is normally traded in 40lb sacks and a house using this energy source alone burns 2-3 tons per annum, at $120-$200 a ton (figures from Department of Energy).
The only significant disadvantage of pellet burners is that unlike wood burners they have controls and fans that need external energy to function.
In conclusion, there are pros and cons to converting to any of these energy sources.
There is no one blanket answer to suit all. Homeowners must evaluate their individual requirements according to their own situation, taking into account locality, climate, budget for investment and the size of the property.
It is advisable to shop around in order to find the company that provides the best quote and service. Companies are aware of their competition and so will try their best to accommodate where possible, so question the first figure you are given.