It's about the time of year when we must accept the fact that the remaining warmth of fall is coming to an end and the inevitable cold of winter looms over us. But before we're out building snowmen and shoveling snow, we must prepare our homes and get our heating systems on track. For many, a heating system was set in place before moving in, and, for some, a remodel or an entirely new heating source is necessary.
Central Heating
One popular home warming option, central heating, is both efficient and easy to control. This type of system boats a central heating unit within the home with the ability to evenly distribute heat throughout various spaces and rooms. Though expensive to install, the costs are quickly recuperated over time—thermostats can be programmed to run until a desired temperature is reached. This means that energy is not being wasted; it's only being used when the system kicks on to reheat the home.
Oil Heating
When it comes to performance, oil heating systems are much faster than and usually less expensive than electricity-powered central heating systems. Oil burns at a much higher temperature than other heating systems, allowing it to warm up your home very quickly. Plus, the oil burns clean, causing very little air pollution. Using a non-renewable resource is inevitable with oil heating systems, and this renders it a fairly unsustainable way to warm your home.
Wood Heating
The ability to heat a home with a renewable resource may be what makes this heating solution so popular. As an added bonus, a low price tag is often associated with wood. The stove itself also has a relatively affordable price—you can have one custom made for your home and, generally, it would still be less expensive than other heating options. Though inexpensive, the effort it takes to cut, split, haul and carry your own wood can be daunting. You'll also need a large, dry place to store that wood all year long, but knowing that you're doing your part to help our planet just might be worth the effort!
