Getting Warmer – Finding the Right Heating for Your Home

With the colder winter months on the horizon, it’s important to take the time to figure out the optimal way of heating up your home!

Whether you use electric heaters, indoor or even an outdoor gas heater, there are advantages and limitations to each in how they keep your home warm. To ensure that your family are kept cosy at home, you need to first understand the different options available to you.  

There are many different elements that come into play when choosing the right heating for your home. Factors such as the cost, the environmental impact, and the size of the space to be heated all play into determining which option is right for you and your family’s needs. However, once you have outlined your needs and you have a good understanding of the pros and cons of each heating solution, you will be in a better position to make the optimal choice.

Let’s take a close look at some of the home heating options available to homeowners to help you choose the right option for your property.

Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are a solid option for those who are looking to heat smaller spaces or even just for heating one individual room or “spot heating”. They are usually portable and cheap to buy. Where they are at a disadvantage is when they are used for heating large spaces or for longer periods of time. Their output is somewhat limited and can be quite costly if much of their output is stretched over too large of a room. Electric heaters are typically environmentally friendly, although this naturally depends on how the electricity is produced in your area.

Indoor Gas Heating

Gas heaters and stoves used indoors are highly efficient and generally produce limited amounts of waste. These can be substantially cheaper than electric heaters especially if used for longer periods of time. There are several variants of indoor gas heaters including both flued and unflued. It is typically best to avoid the latter as they can release moisture or even toxic fumes that can be harmful to your health.

Outdoor Gas Heater

Outdoor gas heaters are an attractive option for heating any outdoor space on cool nights or even during the winter months. The radiant heat from these units can heat up your patio or BBQ area so that you can use them in comfort year-round. While using these heaters outdoors is, naturally, no problem, it is advised not to use this type of heating indoors to avoid the hazard of carbon monoxide. Typically, the emissions standards of such units are below those of indoor heaters.

Wood-Burning Fireplaces

Wood fireplaces are a surprisingly environmentally-friendly option for home heating. Although wood smoke is a pollutant, the wood itself is a renewable resource and typically cheap, if there is firewood for sale in your location. It can be especially eco-friendly and efficient if used in a slow-burning wood stove. The downside to relying on this as a primary source of home heating is the need to store a large amount of firewood for the cold season. These stoves also require greater attention and care in order to feed the fire and clean out the ashes, as well as requiring the installation of a chimney.

Boosting The Heat

As well as choosing the primary methods to heat your home, consider some secondary options to retain heat and minimise your costs. Ensuring that your spaces are fully insulated can help to trap in the heat and save you a great deal of money in the winter months. Sealing windows and cracks in your walls can also prevent heat from escaping your home. Closing off rooms that are seldom used and turning off the heat in those areas can also increase efficiency in heating the areas of your home where you spend the most time.

Stay Warm And Save Money

Taking the time to weigh up the costs and advantages of different home heating methods is crucial in choosing the right solution for your home. Whichever method or methods you choose, consider your needs and the requirements of your space before making the decision. Make sure to maintain your heaters properly and use them according to the provided guidelines to ensure that they stand the test of time.kk