Heat Frugally and Save Lots of Money

The most common types of heating fuels are propane, oil, and electricity. These are basics fuel types that are available everywhere and generally cost about the same. Sometimes one will be more expensive than the other, depending on the region you love in. There are still things to consider if you have one of these types of heat to keep your costs down. First, make sure your heating unit is the correct size–too small and you will burn more energy to keep the home heated, too large and you will waste unnecessary energy. Flooring can also make a difference. Some flooring is hard to heat; other flooring allows you to use radiant heating which is very efficient. Insulation and upgrades to your existing home are things to consider. Try to estimate the off set of the remodeling cost to energy savings. Finally, keeping you radiators and furnace clean and annually maintained is very important for lowering energy costs overall.

You can also consider different energy sources. One such source is ground source energy. This system uses in-ground pipes to generate heat that is pumped through your house. There is a 30-50% savings in this energy system, but it is most efficient when you have radiant heat and can keep your home at a constant temperature. There is also air source energy. This system usually has wall mount that uses outside air to heat and cool your home. This system is called a reverse action air-source pump.

The way you control your energy can save as well. Set back thermostats are programmable and allow you to set times throughout the day whether you are home or not for lowering and raising the home’s temperature. It is estimated that you have a 10% savings in energy for every 10 degrees you lower the temperature for 8 hours. Obviously the times to lower your temperature are at night while you sleep, while you’re away during the day, and when you leave your home to travel. You can do the same set back with a normal thermostat, while a programmable thermostat costs around $40. It will take about 30 minutes to reheat your home the 10 degrees you have lost which should not offset the savings you have acquired during eight hours.

Finally, you can consider alternative heat sources. Wood is messy but because stoves are not only more attractive but more efficient, there is less creosote build up for better safety and wood will burn cleaner. A cord of wood will range between $500 to $700. Pellet stoves are very efficient and convenient and green as pellets are made from recycled wood waste. You can control the heat with the speed of the auger, but electricity is needed to operate a pellet stove, so if you have a storm you have no alternative source of heat as you would with wood. Corn stoves are also now available. Dried corn kernels that cost about $2.50 a bushel can be burned in these stoves and actually burn 20% hotter than wood. These stoves, too, are electrically powered and have metal parts that are hot to the touch so will not be an ideal choice around children. Finally is solar energy which is obtained either from roof-mounted collectors or free-standing collectors in your yard that heat water or air to be circulated throughout your home. Of course, available sunlight in your living region can be a factor. There is also a large initial investment for equipment and mounting.

Whatever you choose, you can make decisions that will help you save on heating your home. Perhaps it is best to have two sources of heating so that you can use one or the other as prices and temperatures change. Just be sure to research all the possibilities.

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