Home Heating Systems
Most homes and public places require some amount of heating through the course of the year, whether it's a 365 day need inside the Arctic Circle or an occasional comfort on colder nights in a more tropical region. But fossil fuels, which have been the go-to source of hot air and boiler heating, not only have a tarnished reputation (all that soot, don't you know!) but prices are starting to blow the roof off the very home you're trying to keep warm and comfortable. Fortunately, there are better options, including vastly more efficient heating systems.
To be honest, it's hard to find reliable information on the best options. Fossil fuel companies and personal habit exert a lot of influence, but this online fuel calculator will give you a good head start if you're going to need some sort of traditional burner or boiler. Don't let your research stop there, be sure to check out geothermal, solar, heat exchanger, and other Earth-friendlier options then let us know what you find!
12/31/2009: Earth Clinic Planet writes: "Few household furnishings are as warm and inviting in every sense as a fireplace or wood stove, and since the fuel used is a renewable one, the environmental impact of a wood-fueled hearth is reasonably good as well. However, the efficiency of a fireplace or stove can be greatly improved in most cases.
The number one issue is making sure the flow of air is cut off when the fireplace or stove is not in use. Closing the damper completely when not in use is essential. A glass grating over the opening will also reduce heat loss and increase fuel efficiency, and you can even install a rubber plug in your flue to completely seal off air loss when the fireplace is not in use.
As for increasing the heat output of your wood-burning system, any sort of tubular grating equipped with a fan will increase your energy efficiency considerably by causing more air to pass around the heated stove and into the room. Best of all is to make sure your wood stove has a newer catalytic converter, which can help burn the gases released from the wood and increase your heat output by 50% while reducing air pollution on the one hand and soot and creosote buildup in your chimney as well."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 05/05/2009: Kevin Garrett (uglygarrett@gmail.com) from Atlanta, GA writes: "Geothermal Heating and Air:
I first was introduced to the Geothermal HVAC systems when we were building a nature center, more years back than I care to remember. The systems use coils running into ground for a better ambient temperature source to either to heat or cool from. The temperature underground stays more consistent than does the air around your conventional air handling unit outside your house. The earth (generally speaking) stays between 45 f and 75 f. where a Geothermal System would be installed where you could be trying to pulling 90' f outside air and make it a comfortable 72' f, using a Geothermal and the underground coils ambient temperature around the pipes will be closer to desired temp in the house. That means you will use less energy to cool your house to get comfortable. The same also works for heating; the air is cooler than the temp under ground in the winter.
A lot of improvements have been made and the commercial applications increased, but residential installation only account for 1% nation wide. That could be because of the initial cost of installation, I've seen numbers between $15k and $20k. That can be 50% to 100% more on the installation. But these numbers are coming down, like with any new technologies, the early adaptors bite the financial bullet and every else benefits. On the back side of the equation; for cooling your home you can expect to pay 30% - 50% less and for heating 40% to 70%. Retrofitting fitting a system will also help lower the installation cost, because you can use the existing duct work and registers.
Now this being a relatively new industry, please be careful about any contractor you would have installing this system. Just like any other trade, check references and do not be afraid to call the manufacture of the system and see if the guys you're using come with a recommendation from them.
Kevin Garrett"
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