What Could I Replace Home Heating Oil With?

The cost of home heating oil has surged dramatically over the past few heating seasons. Many families have seen their heating bill rise out of their reach, and some bills have even doubled in size. This is because the price of fuel oil has been steadily rising since 2002 and promises only to get higher.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, heating a home this winter with home heating oil will cost American families approximately $1,500 for an average size home. This same organization has also predicted that cost of fuel oil per gallon will be $.30 or 6 % higher than last year.

To protect themselves against ridiculously high heating bills, many of the millions of consumers that use home heating oil are looking into alternative ways to heat their home. And what they are finding are some surprising, efficient and inexpensive ways that they can replace their traditional fuel oil furnace.

Before we look into the alternative energy sources that you can replace home heating oil with, it should be noted that upgrading to these alternate heat systems costs about the same as replacing your traditional heating system with a new traditional system but costs less to operate. This means that you could actually save money by changing your furnace. And if you need to replace your existing furnace anyway, there is really no reason not to purchase an alternative heating system.

Alternative Fuel Sources You May Not Have Thought Of

Corn, Grain, and Rye – These natural, plentiful fuel sources are ideal for replacing home heating oil. You can burn these materials in an outdoor furnace or an indoor furnace that is specified for these materials. What’s great about using these fuel options is that they burn hot and efficiently heat your home using very little product. And as you probably already know, they are cheap to purchase. You may even be able to grow your own home heating fuel which will further lessen your cost to heat your home in future seasons.

Wood, Wood pellets, and Coal – While these heating fuels are not new, the way we burn them is. Many of today’s wood stoves and furnaces are situated outdoors and pump heat into your home using your existing duct work. The new design also allows for you to burn larger pieces of wood which means that you will be tending your fire a lot let than you may think.

Water: Replacing your home heating oil furnace with a radiant water system is both efficient and cost effective. These systems work by pumping heated water throughout a network of pipes installed in your home.

Solar energy: using solar energy for part or all of your home’s energy needs is also a great way to save money on your winter heating bill. Solar energy is harvested by solar panels and stored until it is needed meaning that you don’t have to worry about not having heat on cloudy, winter days.

It is predicted that the world’s oil supply will be completely depleted in the next 30 to 40 years if consumption continues at its current rate. This means that prices will continue to rise and that one day soon your traditional furnace will be obsolete. That is why now is the time to look into some alternative sources to heat your home.

What are the best wood burning stoves available on today’s market? Looking for a wood burning stove can be confusing with all the choices and styles, but finding a woodstove that saves money and burns efficiently doesn’t have to be difficult.

High efficiency wood burning stoves come in two basic types: masonry wood burning stoves, which are made with airtight construction for longer burn and more even heat and fit inside an existing fireplace; and freestanding non-airtight wood burning stoves, which are designed for maximum efficiency without creating toxic byproducts like creosote.

A masonry woodstove is constructed of heavy metal and is set inside a traditional fireplace. Masonry wood burning stoves usually require a reinforced floor below them because of their weight, but on the positive side, they are capable of burning a wide variety of natural materials at such intense temperatures that very few toxic fumes are produced and the burn is incredibly energy efficient. Masonry wood burning stoves are often used in places like Russia and the arctic north where bitter cold winters necessitate a fireplace insert capable of producing intense heat over long periods.

Unfortunately, since masonry wood burning stoves almost always have to be custom made and installed they can easily cost five thousand dollars or more for an average sized home. If cost is no obstacle and you like the look of a masonry fireplace more than the look of a freestanding woodstove, a masonry wood burning stove will provide you with a lifetime of efficient and beautiful wood heat. Non-airtight wood burning stoves (for examples and prices visit the C. Johnson woodstove website by clicking here) are engineered to create a high intensity burn without the need for an enclosed fire chamber. This means that the building codes governing their installation are far less stringent than for ordinary woodstoves, and it also means they produce no creosote and no corrosive toxic gases.

The non-airtight wood burning stoves manufactured by the C. Johnson Company produce so little smoke and are so efficient that the amount of ash byproduct is very small; comparable to a high-efficiency pellet stove.

Non-airtight wood burning stoves can also be used for cooking, and are capable of burning very large chunks of wood without any splitting. Since no corrosive exhaust is produced by a non-airtight wood burning stove, the chimney lasts indefinitely and the venting and clearance requirements are much more liberal than for traditional woodstoves.

Although non-airtight wood burning stoves cost a bit more than the kind of freestanding wood stove you might pick up at a home supply store, they cost far less than a masonry insert. When choosing a woodstove, it’s very important to factor in all the costs and all the labor involved over the course of coming years, as well as the aesthetics involved.

Once these elements are taken into consideration, many people find that spending a bit more on a non-airtight wood burning stove or masonry woodstove saves time and money for years to come. Either will provide a high efficiency, pleasant, and practical wood burning experience.

A lot of alternative heating systems available today can be extended by taking advantage of hot water baseboard heating. If you have recently installed one of the newer alternative heating systems such as a solar collector or a wood burner, or if you have installed a coal or corn burner, or a pellet stove or multi-fuel stove, running a water pipe around your heat source to create hot water baseboard heating in another room is not a difficult improvement. Hot water baseboard heating is one good way to get the most out of any of the alternative heating systems currently gaining popularity nationwide.

Unlike most alternative heating systems, conventional oil and gas furnaces are usually centrally located in a home, often in the basement. The heat generated by the conventional oil or gas furnace is then sent through attached air ducts to different rooms by means of a thermostat and a fan. The thermostat turns the furnace on when the temperature in the home falls below a set level, generating heat by burning oil or natural gas. The fan then blows the heat through the ductwork and distributes it throughout the house. Most homes have this kind of forced air heat as their main source of warmth, but with recent increases in the cost of fuel, many people have been exploring alternative heating systems for the first time.

By contrast, many alternative heating systems now available are typically installed in the main living area of the house. A pellet stove, wood stove, or coal stove may not be hooked up to ductwork the way a furnace usually is, and may not power heated air to all parts of the home like those old system did. Because the heat generated by these alternative heating systems is not as easily distributed throughout a house as the heat generated by a conventional furnace, the house may have cold spots and rooms where additional heat is needed.

Hot water baseboard heating is an excellent solution in these situations. Hot water baseboard heat sits flat along the bottom of the wall. Sometimes hot water heat can also be distributed by using a wall, floor, or ceiling panel. A series of fin tubes run from the baseboard or panel back to a boiler or heat source. The boiler or heat source heats and pumps water around the fin tubes, and the air passing over them heats the room. The same alternative heating systems that generate heat in the main part of a house can also be harnessed with special tubing to supply the hot water for the hot water baseboard heating in other parts of the home.

Active solar panels can also be used to heat water for hot water baseboard heating. In all these examples, hot water baseboard heaters heat the surrounding by means of convection. In other words, air is drawn across the tubes filled with hot water and is warmed continuously. The water circulates through the fin tubes without interruption, entering the room as hot water and returning to the boiler to be reheated once that heat has been released into the room. Hot water baseboard heaters tend to maintain a steadier temperature than forced air heaters because the circulation of hot water is constant. Hot water baseboard heaters also tend not to dry out nasal and sinus passages, and they do not kick dust and germ into the air by means of a blower.

Hot water baseboard heaters are especially welcome in bathrooms because of their ability to maintain this steady comfortable temperate. Hot water can also be circulated underneath flooring or inside wall panels. Floors heated with hot water are especially nice in homes with small children. Hot water baseboard heaters can sometimes make it harder to arrange furniture in a room, since they do protrude somewhat from the base of the wall. However, even with this minor limitation, hot water baseboard heaters are much less intrusive that the old radiator-style steam hot water heaters. They are smaller, not noisy at all, and they maintain a lower temperature to the touch than the old steam radiators, making them safer and more family friendly. All in all, hot water baseboard heaters are a great supplement to any of the new alternative heating systems.

Do you dread opening your monthly heating bill? A waste oil burner can put an end to those high rising heat costs. Get the green light on saving both the environment and your budget by installing a waste oil burner.

With each stop at the gas station to fill up making you cringe- quit tossing additional dollars out the window. Go an extra mile with a waste oil burner, getting even more mileage out of your used oil.

A waste oil burner is ideal for a machine shop or garage that generates used oil. The mechanic who services my car uses a waste oil heater to heat his shop. He keeps all the waste oil stored in a 55 gallon drum until he burns it. Used motor oil, transmission fluid, and hydraulic fluid can be used for recycling to supply heat.

Recent court decisions have stated a business owner is liable for his own waste oil, even after its paid removal from the premises, until its proper disposal. A person caught dumping hazardous waste faces fines, penalties and is held responsible for cleanup costs.

A typical household would require two gallons of used oil a day to meet all their electricity needs. Of the 1.3 billion gallons of used oil created in the United States each year, over 200 million gallons are dumped illegally or by accident into our waterways. It only takes one gallon of used oil to contaminate up to one million gallons of fresh drinking water.

A waste oil burner also burns used cooking oil for heat. School cafeterias and fast food restaurants would probably be happy to supply you with free fuel. Units are sold that can even burn unprocessed vegetable oil.

The low end price for a waste oil burner being sold on EBay is from $500 to $1000. There are also more expensive models available. Do-it-yourself plans can also be purchased on EBay. Buying from a reputable dealer like Clean Burn, Burns All, or Shenandoah guarantees you service with a warranty.

Safety features and easy to clean are important factors when deciding on a waste oil heater. A burner chamber made of steel is a better heat conductor than a stainless steel one. A steel combustion heat exchanger is reported up to 87% more efficient. To determine the size unit you need depends on how warm you want the room, how cold it is outside, and the size of the area to be heated. Depending on the climate where you live- a waste oil heater will pay for itself in one to two winter seasons.

The original designer of the waste oil burner, Richard Freuden, built the Mother Earth Waste Oil Heater in 1980. He spent a whopping $2.50 on his invention from discarded junk and scrap metal. In 2006, Roger Sanders re-designed the Mother Earth News waste oil heater. His new design called MEN sounds perfect- quiet, reliable and easy to use.

Leave the high cost of fuel behind in the dust by reducing our oil demand. The less need for oil to be drilled, refined, and transported, should show up in the long run at the pump.

Solar water heaters are an ideal way for you to save money on your home’s heating bills. Since the price of traditional energy products such as electricity, gas, propane and oil are always increasing, there is little doubt that every homeowner would not like to take full advantage of solar powered water heaters. Understanding what they are and how they work is necessary to knowing if they may be a choice for you.

A solar water heater is a heater that is used to heat the water for a home through the use of the sun’s energy. In a traditional home setting, either electricity or gas is used to heat the water used. Instead of using these fuels, the system will take the energy from the sun and store it or use it depending on need. In fact, when they are installed, maintained and used properly, these types of heaters are more economical choices over the other heating options including electricity, dedicated heat pumps and heat recovery units. In short, these will save you a lot of money in the long run.

One of the areas of the world that uses them quite a bit is Florida. There, with all the sun’s glory beaming down on individuals, it makes good sense to try out the use of solar water heaters. There, there are three different types of systems in use. They are either pumped, integral collector stores also known as ICS, or they are thermo siphon.

How Does It Work?

The direct circulation system puts it all into play. It takes potable water that is within the water storage and circulates it from the collectors into the tank. The solar collector is the part that does most of the work. It is usually a metal box with insulation as well as a black absorber plate. This plate collects the solar radiation from the sun and then heats the water within the tank. It is all regulated by an electronic controller.

In the ICS the solar water storage system is actually built into the collector. Water that is in the collector housing is then heated by the sun and delivered by the city or well water pressure to an auxiliary tank. Or, it can be directed right where it needs to be used. Also important to note is that these auxiliary tanks will also contain non solar back up heating systems as well.

Lastly, there is the thermo siphon solar water heating system. In this type of solar water heaters, the system is mounted above the collector to provide for gravity to play its role in the flow of the water. The hot water rises through piping in the collector. Cold water (heavier water therefore) is at the lowest point in the system. The hotter water rises inside the tank. In this system as well as in the ICS, there is no use of pumps and no controllers. Water is always flowing through the collector as well.

The Money Question

Probably the most important question that can be asked is just how much money can be saved when a solar water heater is used. It is important to note that these heaters will vary in their abilities as well as in their cost effectiveness. Everyone’s needs are different and the climate can play a role as well. How much hot water do you use? What size storage tank will you use? What is the price and the type of the backup water heating system that you will use? In a typical setting, though, a seventy gallon per day family can save about $400 per year of electricity if the electricity costs ten cents per kilowatt hour. This is about 50% - 85% of the hot water portion of your monthly energy bill. You can save more if you do not use a backup system, but this is not necessarily something you will want to do.

Through the use of solar water heaters, families around the world are saving hundreds of dollars per year on heating costs. And, when it boils down to which is the better type of fuel to use to heat water in your home, the cheapest and the most environmentally conscious type is the best. In this case, that happens to be the solar water heaters on the market today.

As fossil fuels like oil and natural gas become ever more expensive and less available, solar heat is becoming increasingly popular for use in domestic home heating applications. Many people are actively looking for alternative forms of energy to use to heat their homes, and for renewable energy sources that can be easily tapped if the current energy infrastructure becomes obsolete. A solar heating system is the perfect solution for many homeowners and provides ready access to the most abundant renewable energy source around: sunlight.

Solar heat for home heating comes in two basic forms: passive and active. A passive solar home heating system makes use of sun-facing house exposures, heat retaining materials (like stone and tile), and interior spaces that naturally trap solar heat (like solariums or trombe walls).

A passive solar system doesn’t ‘do’ anything except store the natural heat of the sun. Homeowners who live in temperate or desert climates can make good use of passive solar heat to keep a house comfortable in the evening and at night, and can thereby avoid using nonrenewable forms of energy to generate heat that is abundant during the day naturally.

Even homes in colder climates can install heat-retaining sun-facing windows that harness solar heat during colder parts of the year (in the form of sunlight) but don’t let the heat back out. Combining such specialty windows in a sunny room with a heat retaining floor can significantly cut back on heating costs and reduce that homeowner’s carbon footprint with minimal investment of money or time.

Active solar heat makes use of solar panels to heat water or air (depending on the kind of system chosen), which is then circulated throughout the house to keep it warm. The cost of installing active solar heat depends on the type and the size of the solar collectors needed. Average costs for active solar heat run between $30 and $80 per square foot, but the cost is reduced significantly if solar collectors are used to heat water for the home as well, reducing utility costs over time.

Active solar heat is somewhat more practical for new construction, since the cost offset begins immediately, but even existing construction in the coldest climates can usually benefit from some combination of active and passive solar heat. Many people wrongly assume that solar heat has to be all or nothing, when actually it is an incredibly flexible resource. Rethinking the use of existing sunlight as a passive solar heat resource and adding a solar water heater are two inexpensive solar options that anyone can tap.

Moving into more expensive whole-house active solar heating systems can become cost effective even for existing construction when government tax credits are factored in, or the cost of nonrenewable energy rises significantly (as it already has in many parts of the U.S. and Canada). Whether a homeowner is looking to reduce utility bills or replace a dated system with a new solar heating system, solar energy is here to stay.

New solar options are being developed every year, and more and more ordinary people are getting onboard. The savings are substantial, and the ecological benefit is priceless.

Coal stoves can be a good way to heat a home. Coal has been used for many years to do just that. But, it is not always as easy to light and keep such a stove running, unless you know how to do it correctly. To help you in this regard, here are some tips for caring for and using coal burning stoves.

When you are first considering the purchase of a coal stove, take the time to determine which the right model is for you. Some will burn both coal and wood while others are limited to just one fuel type. You’ll need to examine your needs for a chimney. Consider the size of the stoves, how they work and how well they fit your needs. The most important factor in selecting the right one is to insure that you purchase a safe model for your home. For older models, insure a professional inspection prior to purchasing and be careful with these. Once you get the units installed into your home, your job doesn’t stop there.

Coal burning stoves do require some maintenance and upkeep. While each model may have its own specific needs to take care of, for the most part you will find these things important to keeping them updated. The Ash Pit: When coal burns, it will level behind ash. What is important to know though is that you should always keep the ash pit as clear as possible. If not, the flow of combustion air can be impeded. And, it will keep the fire from burning efficiently. It can also damage the grates that are used on your stove as well.

The Chimney and Ventilation. Coal stoves must be vented to keep toxic fumes out of your home. But just venting them is not enough. You also need to make sure that they are kept clean. As a fire burns, sulfur is released into the air. Prior to using your chimney for the year, have it professionally inspected for deterioration and cleaned. You should have it cleaned at least every six months if you will continuously use your coal stove.

Keep Up On Parts: Like virtually any other mechanism in your home, it is important to verify that it is properly working before using it. A visual inspection will let you know if something is not working, wearing down or is not in its proper condition. You’ll want to check gaskets, the glass and the grates each time you use your stove.

Tips to Keep Your Coal Stove Burning Well

Here are a few more tips to help you keep your coal stove burning at the most efficient level.

Look for low ash coal. You will find that high quality coal will do a better job of heating the home, have less ash, and will burn overnight as you need it to without a problem.

The chimney. You may need to have your chimney inspected and repaired prior to purchasing or installing your coal stove. Many times, individuals don’t realize if there is enough draft. Again, have a proper inspection done if you're having trouble maintaining a fire.

Using coal stoves to heat your home is a good idea as long as you will keep up on the maintenance of it and purchase an efficient model to do so with.

Used wood stoves can often be found available in your local classified ads. But, should you purchase them? What could go wrong if you do? Like any product that you purchase that is used, you need to rely on what the user tells you about the condition and quality of the unit. And, not everybody is as honest as you are. The fact is that when you are considering used wood stoves to bring into your home, you need to insure it is of a quality that will keep your family safe.

What to Look For Using Wood Stove

What should you look for when you do purchase these stoves? There are many things to insure before you do so, but here are some of the most important issues for you to insure.

Regulations. Most locations have ordinances and regulations that stipulate that you need to purchase a permit or you need to have the unit inspected prior to using it. For example, if you wanted to install a wood burning stove of any type into your home you probably will need a fire inspector to come out and insure it is safe to use. With used wood stoves, you’ll need to insure that they qualify for inspection.

Air Pollution. Another very important element is how well the used wood stoves will burn. Again, you have no idea if the product was cared for and that means that you don’t know the air quality that it can give you. No unit should be purchased that is not certified by the EPA. If you are not concerned about the air quality, you’ll still have problems with these models because they won’t pass inspection anyway.

Older and wood stoves that have not been taken care of are at risk for producing very toxic pollutants that can get into your home. For example, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde are some of the most dangerous. In this case, you should have the used wood stoves approved by a professional before allowing them to burn in your home.

You should also insure that the used stove will work within your homes structure. For example, in some cases, you will find that used wood stoves that are old do not fit well within the chimneys of today. You should also carefully consider any repairs that may need to be done as these will likely be costly.

If you are installing a wood stove so that you can lower your gas costs, check out the efficiency of the model in question. Make sure that you purchase a quality product, one that will actually save you money. The efficiency of models can be found on their manufacturer’s website.

Yes, you can purchase these used models. But, you should insure that your safety and your wallet are at the front of your mind when doing so. Remember, you’ll need to pay for a professional inspection at the least, plus maintenance, installation, and possibly repairs before you gain any benefits from used wood stoves.

Underfloor heating can be a model choice for heating your household, efficiently and ecologically friendly. No matter if it is your budget that you are thinking about or the dependence on oil that most have, this type of heating is an ideal consideration for you. Homes that are heated in this manner are actually warmer, more comfortable and they use energy in a better way. When you couple the benefits of underfloor heating with the use of a solar water heater, the outlook gets even better!

Your Budget and Underfloor Heating

While it will cost a considerable amount of money (or time) to install an underfloor heating system, it may still be one of the best decisions that you make. You see, with this type of heating, you are pushing heat into your home with the use of water, a completely renewable source of energy. When you do this, you are allowing water to circulate throughout your home, warming it as it goes only to come back to be reheated and to start the process all over again.

That also means that you are heating your home from the ground up. Instead of trying to force hot air from a vent near your ceiling and heating the highest points of your home in the best manner, you are now heating from the ground up, which means more evenly heated rooms, a more comfortable feel and benefits of no electricity or gas being used.

In Comes Solar Water Heaters

Just because you are using an underfloor heating system doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take this one step further and use solar heating to heat the water, too. In fact, it is one of the most logical ways to compliment what you are doing. By using solar water heaters that use the sun’s rays to heat the water, you are in effect cutting out nearly all of the dependency that you have on other fuels. In addition, you are again using a renewable source of energy that is beyond anything else environmentally and economically friendly.

Allow Them to Work for You

Here’s why it’s so beneficial to use solar water heaters for your underfloor heating needs. You start with cold water. To heat it, you must use some form of fuel or energy. If you have a solar water heater, the heat from the sun has been converted into energy by your solar collection system or solar panels. This energy is used to heat the water. Then, the water flows through your home, allowing the heat from the water to escape into the house. The cooled water then returns to the heater to start the process all over again.

No outside fuels are needed.

Everything is clean burning.

It is completely renewable.

It costs you next to nothing!

As you can see, there are many reasons why you want your heating to be coupled with the help of a solar water heater. Underfloor heating keeps your home warm with all of these benefits and more.

Citizens of the U.S. who are planning summer home renovations might be surprised to learn they are eligible for generous home heating tax credits if they invest in alternative home heating products or insulation this year. In addition to generous federal energy tax credits, many states, counties, and municipalities now offer subsidies for making major alternative energy upgrades like installing a wind generator, installing solar hot water, or installing solar roof panels.

Unlike tax deductions, U.S. home heating tax credits are subtracted directly from the dollar amount of taxes owed, not from taxable income. Some of these credits are so substantial they can wipe out a tax debt fast. The tax credits are non-refundable credits however; meaning that once a tax debt hits zero, no money will be refunded even if some of the credit still remains.

Some of the best alternative home heating tax credits include:

30% of the cost (up to $1500) or biomass stoves; heating, ventilating and air-conditioning upgrades; non-solar water heaters, insulation, and roofing.

30% of the cost (with NO upper limit) of geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, and solar energy systems.

30% of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity for fuel cells to store the energy generated by small wind turbines.

To claim these alternative home heating tax credits, taxpayers must live in the home as their principle residence and must attach IRS for 5695 to their 2010 income tax 1040 form. Homeowners are limited to $1500 in energy tax credits every two years, which works out to $5000 total cost for alternative home heating or energy products every two years. If the entire $1500 credit is claimed in 2010, for example, the homeowner can’t take another energy tax credit in 2011.

This is a limit worth knowing. Multiple upgrades can be made substantially less expensive by spacing improvements so as to always take advantage of the available tax credits. In short, it is best not to greatly exceed $5,000 in improvements every two years for maximum federal support.

Subsidies to help homeowners finance solar and wind energy installations are generally available at the state or local level and vary by region. For example, Ontario is just now beginning to offer subsidies to homeowners who generate their own electricity, and the state of Ohio in the U.S. is beginning an initiative to subsidize solar hot water and the individual level. In the state of Michigan, subsidizes for wind power are offered at the county and municipal level and vary widely, so how much is available in subsidies depends on where a home is located.

To find subsidies that may be available in any given area, start by checking state, country, and municipal websites for that locale. Often manufacturers and installation firms are aware of state and local subsidies and will assist a homeowner in applying for them, but doing one’s own research is a good idea, since not all merchants are created equal, and homeowners might want to price shop without pressure from a manufacturer who is assisting with a subsidy application.

Finally, before installing any alterative home heating or energy systems or products make sure to review local ordinances and property tax structures. In some parts of the country, frustrating as it may be, subsidies are available but zoning laws and property tax structures are prohibitive. Over time, as alternative home heating and energy systems become more popular, these confusing conflicts are expected to be mitigated and the road to energy independence should become a bit less bumpy.

Wood stove inserts are inserts that will use a wood stove to heat your home. One of the main reasons for choosing an insert over a stand-alone wood stove is that you enjoy the look of your fireplace. But, you may not like how much it costs to use the fireplace. Wood stove inserts serve your needs perfectly then.

Like any other wood burning stove, you will need to insure that the model that you purchase is EPA certified. The EPA needs to insure that the unit is safe to use as well as that it is safe for the environment. If you purchase an older unit that is not EPA certified, you will find that you will not pass your local regulations and will not be able to install the unit after all. Not only that, but you want the wood stove inserts to be able to burn efficiently for you as well.

What Will It Look Like?

Wood stove inserts can enhance the look of your fireplace. They are usually made of cast iron or can be made of plate steel. They tend to have glass doors on the front so that you can see the fire burning within. Most will sit right inside a large fireplace opening while other units will sit on the hearth in front of it. This is probably the better choice as it provides radiant heat from the sides and from the top of the unit as well as delivering heat.

Your unit may also come with a blower on the front of it. This is a tool that allows for the heat to be blown out of the fireplace and into the room. These are mounted to the front or the sides of the wood stove inserts. These can be used both manually as well as with the use of a thermostat for a more controlled heat.

Installation? How’s That Work?

Wood stove inserts will normally require a professional to install them. This is because they tend to be quite heavy even weighing over 400 pounds. It is also important because inserts will need to have a positive connection to the chimney. They will need to have a connector that goes between the first section of the flue liner and the appliance outlet. This is regulated by the National Fire Protection Association as a means for controlling the smoke and gases that are released during burning. It also keeps combustible deposits in the fireplace.

Besides the cost of installation of your wood stove inserts, you will likely spent about $1500 to $2000 on an insert. They are often purchased based on what they look like, but in order to heat a room efficiently, you should carefully consider how well the unit can do this rather than what it looks like. It may cost more for other parts that may not come with it such as a blower. Wood stove inserts can effectively heat a small home or several rooms of your home for less than many other types of fuel.

As energy becomes more expensive and scarce worldwide, heating and cooking solutions designed for use in developing nations are becoming more practical for home use in industrial nations. The Vita Goat home cooking and grinding system (provides high efficiency steam boiler heat for alternative cooking, and includes a grinder for processing grain into meal, and a press for extracting liquid from foods and food crops.

As more people grow their own food at home and look for ways to minimize their utility bills, systems like the Vita Goat are becoming more and more popular.

The Vita Goat System was actually invented the United States back in the 1970s, and is currently used in many developing nations to give households and villages the capacity to cook, grind, and process food at an industrial level without the need for factories and cost prohibitive machinery. Essentially a large outdoor pressure cooker, the Vita Goat system burns wood, gas, or a variety of other solid fuels to create pressurized steam. Steam injected at high pressure is up to ten times more efficient for cooking than a wood fire.

The steam inside the Vita Goat is run through a specially designed tube that ‘super heats’ it to temperatures far above that of ordinary steam. The boiler is easy and cheap to make, and best of all, it can be taken apart for cleaning. Steam boilers tend to accumulate scale on their inner tanks, which eventually causes them to fail, but with the Vita Goat, this never needs to happen.

The Vita Goat can pressure cook as much as 15 liters of food in half an hour or less—an astonishing time saver for tasks like canning fruit or processing tomatoes. The food to be cooked is fed into the top of the Vita Goat and then comes out the bottom once it has been processed to the desired consistency. The short cooking time saves energy and using the cooker outdoors keeps the kitchen from becoming unbearable.

The press function on the Vita Goat is easy to use. A filter bag holds the food product to be pressed, the Vita Goat cooks the product, and then a rod is turned that extracts the liquid from the food inside the bag inside the cooker. The practical applications of the press function are endless, but a few obvious ones include pressing cider from apples, grape juice from grapes, and rice milk from rice.

The Vita Goat also includes a pedal powered speed grinder than runs on a system of pulleys and can be used without firing up the cooking function. Practical uses for the grinder include making homemade cornmeal, hot cereals, and soy flour.

The Vita Goat system is a do-it-yourself machine that comes with a variety of spare parts and specialized pieces such as gaskets, gauges, and a bicycle chain and belt. The system is designed to last for at least one year if built as directed.

Coal boilers are alternative heating solutions to process hot water or to heat large areas. Before we have an understanding of that boiler type, it is necessary to have an overview of coal and its availability. Coal is probably the most abundant fossil fuel available in the United States. The history of coal mining dates back to the seventeenth century when coal mining began in Virginia. Ever since, coal is one of the most important fuels for industrial and domestic heating applications.

Statistically speaking, approximately 56% of the electricity used in United States is generated from coal burning processes. At the rate that coal is being consumed, United States has coal reserves that will last for almost another 300 years. Coal is cleaner to burn and offers more heat when compared to other fuels in that category. If we draw a comparison of coal and other fossil fuels in terms of million BTU’s (British Thermal Units), coal is most economic at $1.20, than oil $4.45 and natural gas $4.30.

Advantages of Coal Burning Boilers

A coal boiler is a closed metallic vessel or pot in which we can heat water or any other fluid under pressure. Coal burning boilers are effective heating solutions for buildings and other applications. The steam emanating from the coal boiler is canalized outside for purposes such as heating of a home or office.

The boilers have a simple mechanism. Coal used in boilers is either anthracite or bituminous. These varieties of coal provide maximum energy. In the coal boiler, coal is passed from the coal bin to the auger. A fan inside the boiler pulls air through the combustion chamber and after spinning it through the swirl chamber transfers it to the cyclone separator. The cyclone separator removes the fly ash, if there is any and puts it in a grate system. A coal boiler generally has dry ash and the wet ash. Coal burning boilers come with a safety valve, to prevent over pressurization and possible explosion of the boiler.

The coal burns and heats the water, which is then circulated around the building through water pipes. These pipes circulating hot water heat up the surrounding air and thus provide warmth to the room or the building. The steam generated in the process is also used for generating extra heat and warmth. Large boiler systems, which are used in industrial applications or large mansion, generally operate at 75 to 85 percent efficiency. The efficiency of a coal burning boiler is directly proportional to its economy.

The cost of a coal boiler depends on the size and certain other parameters. Some of the parameters that determine the cost of coal boilers are:

Type of heating required and area of the building or room to be heated.

Requirement such as Low Pressure Steam, High Pressure Steam, Hot Water, or High Temperature Hot Water

The type of combustion air system, space availability, and size Coal boilers are generally very reliable in nature and have a life of nearly 30-40 years. Coal boilers operate on a very simple mechanism and are very easy to maintain and repair. If there is a problem in one of the boiler parts, you can change the part or get it repaired easily. Another advantage of coal boiler is its scrap value and options for recycling. The manufacturers can recycle and reuse various parts of coal boilers after they are discarded and rendered unfit for use.

Heating through corn pellet stoves or other products can be an effective and efficient way to heat your home. There are many products that can be safely burned through a home heating system such as a stove, to heat the home throughout the day and overnight hours. And, these can save you money as well. For those that are looking for a way to save money, corn, pellet stoves may be just the right choice.

Types of corn, pellet stoves available

There are several types of stoves available that can be used. First, there is the typical stove which can burn wood or corn. Some can burn other fuels as well as coal or even other biomass products. These can be freestanding units or they can be an insert for a fireplace. Next, there are space heaters which will heat a small area to a room size. Other options include a hot air furnace as well as a hot water boiler. All of these systems can use corn as their fueling element.

It is important to note that you can use corn that is shelled as fuel. Or, you can use wood pellets. Corn pellet stoves do not burn corn pellet, rather they burn shelled corn or wood pellets. To determine which the right product is for you, take a look at what corn can offer. Corn, pellet stoves or other products can be used to heat a home or business. These units are offered in a number of ways but not all of them are the right choice. Here are a few things to consider about corn stove options.

Dry, shelled corn is easy to handle. It weights little and is easy to store. Most individuals can find it readily available and inexpensive at that.

Corn also has a high temperature energy per unit weight. It can burn at an energy level close to wood.

Corn is stored in a hopper until it is needed to be burned. It can be fed into a combustion chamber from above or it can be stoked into the chamber from below it. In either case, the corn, pellet stoves will regulate the amount of corn being added to the chamber by adjusting the speed of the auger that will push it in.

In most cases, the corn, pellet stove (no matter which type you choose) will burn effectively to heat a home. They do not provide any dirt or smell into the home itself. They are normally vented outside and draw in air from outside as well. This makes them safe to use.

Choosing the right corn, pellet stoves

When choosing any of these stoves, you should consider the ability of the unit to meet your needs. To do this, you should consider maintenance, installation as well as cost of the units. This can be easily compared.

But, is a corn stove a better choice? It all comes down to the cost, right? Shelled corn will burn better than wood by about ten to fifteen percent. Corn will burn about the same, on average, as propane, oil, and natural gas. It is more expensive, on average than water and air heated units and in some cases electricity. Choosing corn, pellet or other stoves is really about choosing which method you prefer.

The potbelly stove is that stove that you remember seeing in tales about the wild, Wild West. It is the stove that you remember seeing in depictions of the old school house. Today, you can heat your household through the use of an antique looking potbelly stove. No matter why you want to have one in your home, you will find some good choices to choose from.

Tradition in Today’s World

Potbelly stoves have a lot to do with American tradition. They were used throughout history in a number of situations. They were used in school houses, in the general store and could be used to keep the railroad depot warm. They were also used in saloons and brothels in western culture. They were used because they were efficient ways to heat an area. And, wood was easy to find and to use. But, today, there is a little more to them than just tradition.

Potbelly stoves are available today in a wide range of choices. But, do not confuse it with the cylinder stove. Although the two look quite the same, traditionally confused, they are very different. The pot belly will have a cast iron body while the cylinder often features nickel to it. And, the pot belly stoves will have a mushroom shaped top to it while the cylinder will have an ornate top. Their shapes are different too with the pot belly having more curves and the cylinder being squared off. Still, many will confuse the two.

To purchase these stoves, you will have two choices. First, you can purchase a wide range of antiques. These are simply pot belly stoves that have withstood the test of time. They are often very heavy and offer much of the original look. It is not recommended that you use these antique versions as they are much more likely to be worth more as an investment instead. They do add quite a bit of charm to a home, though.

On the other hand, you can choose a new pot belly stove. These can burn wood or coal, but are more popularly being used to burn grains and wood pellets. When purchasing them, insure that they are EPA certified especially if you plan to use them within your home. Most of these can heat a small home effectively while others can heat only a few hundred square feet. This depends on the size and the ability of the specific units that you purchase.

When purchasing a pot belly stove, consider the area that you wish to heat. You should also consider the size of the hopper. The larger it is, the less often you will need to fill it. Also, carefully consider the fuel that you will use. While wood pellets seem to be a traditional option, grains such as corn can be used to help lower heating bills even lower. The proper purchase of these stoves will provide you with warmth that you can count on. And, there is something about the look of them that adds so much to a home as well. The potbelly stove will remain in our hearts while it helps our wallets too.

What do you need to know about wood burning stoves before you start using them regularly? If you think it is as easy as purchasing and installing the stove, you are only half right! There is much to think about, though, in the efficiency and safety standards of using these stoves. While they are one of the best ways to heat a home or to cook a meal (not to mention on of the oldest methods of doing those things,) it is still vitally important for you to make considerations for this type of tool.

The Benefits wood burning stoves

What you should know about wood burning stoves is that these units that are manufactured by today’s standards are much more efficient and safe to use than those used just a decade or more ago. Today’s models don’t allow for smoke to enter the home, keep ash at the minimal level and they often use less wood to produce the same amount of heat. You can purchase them to warm just one room or an entire home. What’s more is that they are safety tested for your own well-being? In addition, you can save a bundle on heating costs by using a wood stove instead of using your furnace.

Installation Wood burning stoves

Wood burning stoves do require the proper installation to work properly. You’ll need the right amount of clearance between the stove and you’re venting system and combustible materials. Combustible floors need to be protected and you need to make sure that your vents and your stove itself are put together properly. Since you need to take into consideration having the right size, height, configuration and location for these stoves, it is important to have a professional install them into your home.

Safety of Wood burning stoves

Wood burning stoves have necessary safety considerations, too. For example, with modern models you shouldn’t have smoke in your home. If you do, there is a problem with the installation or the venting system. Another important consideration will be yearly maintenance. These stoves can produce creosote which needs to be monitored and professionally cleaned. Yearly, it is advisable to have a professional check the chimney and venting system to insure that it is clean and working efficiently for your stove.

You should also consider the safety of using your wood burning stoves daily. For example, nothing that is flammable should be placed near the stove. That includes carpeting, drapes and paper products. You should always start a fire with dry wood and clean newspaper. Fuels are not necessary to start a fire and can be dangerous to use. Always use seasoned logs for burning and wax or sawdust should not be used in these types of stoves, unless they are 100 percent compressed sawdust. You should properly clean the ashes from the location and keep the doors to the stove closed as much as possible.

When you take these proper care and installation measures seriously, you can gain the most from your stove and heat your home for little cost. If you can find free firewood, that makes it even more efficient to use wood stoves!

The benefits of home solar power are each day clearer to governments, individuals, and businesses. Amid growing concern about increasing energy prices and the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels, many households are turning to solar energy as a source of renewable electricity. On a bright day, the sun shines nearly one thousand watts of energy per square meter of the Earth’s surface.

Photovoltaic cells can convert this sunlight into energy, and this energy can be used to pump water, light homes, and run appliances.

Solar electric panels, made of individual photovoltaic cells, can be mounted on a rooftop or a freestanding rack; most commonly they are placed in an area that receives sun throughout the entire day. Light strikes a photovoltaic cell, and a portion of the light is absorbed in a semiconductor (usually silicon). The energy absorbed knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely, as a current, through a wire that is run from the solar panel to a solar charge controller. From the charge controller, the current travels via wire to a deep cycle battery bank, which stores the power for household use. House power needs are drawn out of the stored battery power, and the solar panels boost the battery when the charge drops below a certain level.

In fact, a principle called net metering allows individual homeowners to sell the excess energy generated by home solar power back to the electric company, sometimes at a premium price. During times when there is no power usage in the home, the electric meter actually runs backwards, supplying power generated by the solar panels back into the power grid. When the family uses electricity in the evening, the meter runs forward again, and the net usage is billed for. In Seattle, Washington, the government has approved a law that will provide a payment of fifteen cents per kilowatt hour for electricity that an individual producer sends into the power grid. On an average, electric companies charge consumers five to eight cents per hour, meaning that a solar home may actually see a profit from generated energy!

The major expense of home solar power is incurred at installation, and with government programs like that in Seattle, the rate of solar panel installation is increasing. Solar power systems release zero emissions into the atmosphere, require little or no maintenance, and more panels can be added at any time after installation to increase power output.

Energy is freely available when the sun shines, but can still be harvested even on cloudy days. In the event of grid outages like California endures in the summer, solar power will still provide energy to operate the home. Because home solar systems have no moving parts, they are extremely reliable; they typically provide power for twenty to twenty-five years before any servicing is needed. Even the federal government recognizes the benefit of home solar power, and offers a thirty percent of cost tax credit to those who install home solar power systems.

Home heating oil and natural gas prices both keep rising, and as result many people are exploring the benefits of owning a corn burning stove as a way of saving money and even reducing carbon emissions. Installing a corn or grain burning stove is an economical and practical way to either supplement a more expensive home heating system or replace it entirely.

A corn burning stove is similar to a pellet stove except instead of burning compressed sawdust or grass pellets it burns dried corn kernels. Like a pellet stove, a corn burning stove has a number of major advantages over a conventional wood stove. Some of those advantages include the following:

Dried corn is a renewable resource that is inexpensive and readily available, especially in the interior region of the United States.

Dried corn can be purchased ready to use and, unlike wood, does not have to be chopped, cured, or stored at home before it is ready to be burned.

Dried corn burns so cleanly that only 2% of it is left over as ash. When burned, two buckets of dried corn produce less than two pounds of left over ash.

A corn burning stove can be installed without a chimney and vented directly outside, making do-it-yourself installation simple and safe.

A corn burning stove produces no toxic gases and no creosote build-up. The only by-products of a properly functioning corn burning stove are nitrogen and oxygen.

A corn burning stove produces no pollutants and in fact is so clean to use that these stoves are exempt from EPA emissions standards.

Unlike a wood stove, a corn burning stove requires little to no clearance and only gets hot on the front door of the stove, so it is safe to operate around children and pets.

A corn burning stove for an average sized home will generally cost less than $2,000, which is far below the cost of most gas or oil furnace systems. Most of these stoves do require a hearth or nonflammable surface upon which to stand, but such a hearth can be made out of inexpensive stone tiles set onto plywood, or you if you prefer you can purchase hearth stands already made.

Even if you only use a corn burning stove as a supplemental heat source, or as a way of heating a garage, pole barn, or outbuilding, significant cost savings over gas or oil occur fairly quickly. It doesn’t take long to recoup the cost of the stove itself, the corn, and installation (which is easy and relatively quick).

Some pellet stoves, called ‘multi-fuel stoves’, have the ability to burn corn, grain, fruit pits, or pellets, or even a combination of these renewable fuels. A corn pellet stove can be ordered at most big box home improvement stores, or from an online supplier, or a specialty home heating retailer (such as a fireplace and stove store).

If you live in a part of the country where dried corn in readily available and many people do, a corn pellet stove is a good investment. Order early though: in recent years fall orders have been so great that some parts of the U.S. have been selling out of corn burning stoves long before first frost.

Propane stoves use a highly portable, concentrated, and safe fuel that has been used for years in camping stoves and outdoor BBQs. Rising electric and heating oil bills are prompting people to look for alternative heating, and propane is quickly moving into homes as a main heating fuel. Many who install a gas stove for adjunct zone heating find that the stove will actually supply a tremendous amount of heat throughout the entire home, and are pleased with the convenience these stoves afford.

Propane is a gas that is produced as a by-product of natural gas and oil processing; almost ninety percent is generated in the United States. Often referred to as LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas), propane is condensed and stored as a liquid, making it very compact. Propane’s portability makes it perfect for use in rural areas where homes are far away from a power grid or natural gas lines. It can be stored easily on a homeowner’s property, and LP companies will actually deliver the liquefied propane to the home, adding another level of convenience. Plus, it can even be produced from human or cattle manure.

Ease of use is what makes propane stoves so desirable in homes. Not only are the stoves themselves compact and simple to install, but they can be operated by remote control! One button push yields instantaneous fire, and many are equipped with thermostats that will turn the stove on when temperatures drop below a certain level, or off when a high temperature is reached. Propane burns hotter and more evenly than other fuels, and emits sixty to seventy percent less hydrocarbons than oil products, so gas stoves do not necessarily require a chimney vent. Many are direct vent systems that are entirely self-contained; no smoldering ashes or sparks are produced. The mess of wood, as well as the danger, is kept out of the home. When that severe winter storm hits, and the electricity fails, you can count on your gas stove to supply warmth to your family.

Anyone who has used a propane stove can attest to its reliability even in extreme conditions like those in winter, but manufacturers are now coming out with models that are aesthetically pleasing as well. Much like a natural gas fireplace, a gas stove has authentic wood-like logs with flames glowing beneath. Cast iron is one choice for the exterior, and the stove can be ordered in many different colors and styles to suit the particular décor in a room. Sizes of the stoves range from small to large, some have feet and others have pedestal bases, and many different exterior designs exist for the hard to please buyer. Efficiency ratings and output differ with each model and manufacturer, and while most propane stoves are highly efficient, be sure to ask for that information before purchase.

With the cost of electricity at two times that of propane, propane fueled stoves are an economical, smart heating alternative for any home. Rural or suburban, homes with such stoves can feel secure and stay warm even in the most inclement weather conditions.

Waste less energy to make a better world. The need for an alternative home heating system grows now more than ever. After decades of using (and often wasting) the energy supply of our planet on producing more and living better, people should become aware of the fact that there are less and less natural resources available for satisfying our ever increasing needs.

When it comes to saving more energy without giving up on our daily comfort and lifestyle, there is one thing that should come to our mind: alternative energy sources. Everyone seems to agree that it takes a lot of energy in order to heat a cold home on a frosting winter day. However, saving is by far much easier than it used to be in the past, when people resorted to the conventional heating sources based on fossil fuel and its combustion.

A big building needs more fuel to warm it and thus it is more expensive for its owner. Consequently, this article pretends to have found an efficient way in which you can save more money on utility bills.

Why choosing an alternative home heating system

If we bring into discussion new elements in the field of energy saving solutions, you should know that there is a wide range of products of alternative home heating system among which the following can be mentioned: stoves burn the biomass. Biomass originates in solar energy previously stored in order to be turned into fuel or electricity. Apart from its origin, another advantage of biomass is its renewable aspect. It is a type of fuel that can be grown over and over again, needing only a good soil, water and sun. The main beneficiaries of such an alternative home heating system however are the consumers who significantly diminish their costs on utility bills. Another positive aspect is that this efficient energy source can easily be found in the environment, especially in vegetation and animal waste.

Furthermore, another convenient heating source is the one which makes use of heat pumps. The principle on which this method is based is simple and highly efficient: the energy is captured from ground or water and heats the building by moving the heat from one place to another, according to the users’ needs. Usually, the system moves the heat from the outside into the inside of a building in winter and the other way round in summer. Thus, the heat is evenly distributed and manages to meet the users’ needs season after season. Such systems are known as thermal heating and cooling systems.

Nevertheless, alternative home heating systems carry out both advantages and negative aspects. While they are known as an efficient way to save money and lower heating expenses. One recommended way to reduce this risk is to have smoke alarms installed in the house.

If you are interested in finding a way to spend money wisely and without regrets, alternative heating sources are the right answer. It is an advisable choice especially when you want to enjoy the same quality of heating conditions but at a much lower and more affordable price in the long run. Needless to mention how satisfied you will be, knowing that you somehow contributed to reducing the global warming.

A tankless water heater is sometimes called an “on demand” water heater because it does not store hot water, but rather heats water right at the faucet only when you need it. Most water heaters are large cylinders that have a heating element and a water source attached. The big cylindrical part of the water heater is the tank.

A tankless water heater by contrast is constructed of the heating element only.

The much smaller size of the tankless water heater when compared to a conventional water heater is one of the first pros of choosing to go tankless. Tankless water heaters do include a huge cylinder that has to be awkwardly carried down the basement stairs. Conventional water heaters often begin to leak from their large cylindrical tanks when they begin to wear out, causing mess and even damage to anything that is in the immediate vicinity. This kind of leakage is not an issue with a tankless water heater. Sediment issues and issues of water purity that can become a concern with a conventional water heater are similarly not a problem with a tankless water heater.

The most important advantage of choosing a tankless water heater is that a tankless water heater will save between 30% and 50% on electricity when compared with a conventional water heater. That savings translates to about $100 a year for an average household.

On the down side, unless a tankless water heater is fitted with a specialized pump so that only hot water runs out of the tap, it takes a minute for the heating element to heat the water after you turn it on. This means that you waste more water with a tankless water heater. In some areas where water is more difficult to come by than electricity, this can be a significant drawback, and will add to the amount of time it takes to see a return on your tankless water heater, since the initial outlay will include the cost of the pump.

The initial expense of investing in a tankless water heater is another significant drawback. Although prices are often advertised that start as low as $500, a $500 tankless water heater is not likely to provide enough water for an average household. The initial expense is more likely to run into four figures with a tankless water heater, which means it could take ten years to see significant savings after factoring in the cost of purchase and installation.

Installation costs can be another issue with tankless water heaters. Since tankless water heaters have low-powered burners, they often have special venting requirements that necessitate professional installation instead of do-it-yourself installation. This can add as much as $1000 to the cost of the tankless water heater itself.

Tankless water heaters also warmth one faucet at a time. For households that routinely have two hot water sources going at once (such as washing clothes and washing dishes), it may be advisable to install more than on tankless water heater, which adds again to the initial cost.

Tankless water heaters are capable of supplying continuous hot water however, so even though you may need to install more than one depending on your usage needs, with a tankless water heater you never have the problem of “running out” of hot water that you often get with a conventional hot water heater that stores already heated water in a tank.

On the positive side, tankless water heaters may qualify for a $300 federal tax credit and the future looks good for additional credits to encourage the installation of these units, so if you decide to go with a tankless water heater, you may be able to offset some of the costs through tax credits.

The bottom line when it comes to the pros and cons of tankless water heaters versus conventional water heaters is to take all initial costs into account, including installation and an accurate appraisal of how many units you will need and how much you can expect to save per year. Then factor in any energy credits you can claim to offset the expense, and make your decision.

Most people are aware that solar power can provide electricity to run appliances and lights, and that this energy actually comes from the sun. Now, think about what happens to a shallow pool of water, or a garden hose that has been sitting in the sun for an extended amount of time: the water inside heats up. This is the basic principle behind solar water heating systems. The hot water produced can be used not only for bathing and washing dishes, but can be run through piping in the home for radiant heat, meeting the entire heating needs of any home.

Most solar water heating systems consist of a hot water storage tank, solar collectors that absorb energy from the sun, a back-up energy source, a heat pump, a heat exchanger, and controls for the system. The solar collector, most commonly a flat plate collector (there are integral and evacuated tube collectors as well) is an insulated, weatherproof box containing a black absorber plate under a transparent cover. A heat transfer fluid, used in indirect circulation systems, flows through the collector and into a heat exchanger. In direct circulation systems, the actual household water flows through the collector and into the home, but this system cannot be used in colder climates because the water will freeze while inside the collector. The heat exchanger extracts the warmth from the transfer fluid, which heats the household water in the storage tank, and this water can then circulate throughout the home.

Underfloor heating when used in combination with solar water heating systems, can be very cost effective. The water heated by the solar system can actually be run through the hydronic underfloor heating network, which is a series of interconnected tubing within the subfloor of a building. Built with the same principles as standing radiators or baseboard heaters (which can also be connected to use solar hot water), the underfloor network allows the hot water to transfer heat to the space above. This radiant heat is even, comfortable, and clean. No harmful greenhouse gases are produced in the heat collection and distribution, and significant savings are seen on electric bills.

Switching from a conventional water heater to a solar water heating system can reduce yearly operating costs by an estimated fifty-five to seventy-five percent. The hot water used in dishwashers, clothes washers, bathing, hand washing, and cooking can be supplied by your solar water heating system. Restaurants, which are required to have a supply of water over two hundred degrees Fahrenheit for sanitation purposes, can see significant savings with the installation of solar water heating systems. There is even a tax credit offered by the government that will reimburse thirty percent of the cost of installing a solar water heater.

With the operating costs of a solar water heater so low, and the purchase and installation more affordable with such tax credits, a new solar water heater can bring near immediate savings to a home or business. Producing clean, dependable heat, solar water heating systems will only continue to grow in popularity as the public discovers the myriad of advantages these systems offer.

Solar is the ultimate renewable power source, but even though sunlight is free, solar panels have (so far) been expensive to produce and expensive to install. Many people have the impression that cheap solar energy is years away as a real possibility, but the reality is that inexpensive solar sheeting technology has been around for several years now. Soon, solar sheeting will be a common and abundant household resource, available to households with modest budgets.

Solar sheeting is based on a technology called ‘nanosolar’. Nanosolar is very similar to printing, only instead of printing words; the technology prints a substance that collects solar energy. Nanosolar ‘paint’ is rolled out onto very thin sheets of flexible aluminum that feels more like heavy plastic than metal.

The machines that do the nanosolar ‘printing’ can roll out several hundred feet of solar sheeting per minute. Because the technology that creates it is simple, fast, and inexpensive, solar sheeting costs one tenth as much as a traditional solar panel and has much broader applications.

Solar sheeting panels are not yet available in stores, but at least one company, Nanosolar, began limited production of the inexpensive solar sheeting product in September of 2009.

The problem with getting solar sheeting to market has been, as usual, money. Most commercial applications are dependent on bank financing, and banks tend to balk at financing new technologies. As more and more commercial applications are financed and solar sheeting is produced for them and shown to be cost-effective, demand will surely rise, making it easier to get solar sheeting into broad distribution and do-it-yourself home use.

Nanosolar technology is slightly less efficient than traditional solar panel technology, but it is much more efficient than coal for generating electricity.

Because solar sheeting is so inexpensive and easy to use, the inventors imagine much broader popular applications than just electricity for homes. Imagine solar cell phones, solar iPods, solar lined windows, and even solar-coated roofing shingles. All of this is possible right now and is simply awaiting financial backing.

Often when discussions of renewable energy and affordable, eco-friendly home heating and power sources are discussed, someone will make the argument that the technology for solving world energy problems is generations away. It’s frustrating to hear this kind of talk as a justification for building nuclear or coal plants, since in actual fact almost all the technology needed has been around for years: it is just waiting for financial backing and government support.

To receive updates on the availability of solar sheeting in your area, go to nanosolar homes and fill out the homeowner template. Nanosolar will notify you as soon as a Nanosolar home product is available in your area.

Imagine a world in which power for electricity and heat is almost free. In the U.S. alone, that would put about $4,000 per year back into the average homeowner’s pocket, and significantly reduce the environmental damage done by producing and burning coal and oil. Thanks to the cheap solar energy provided by solar sheeting that dream will soon be a reality.

Solar pool heaters are beyond any other type of pool heating mechanism the best choice. While you can hook up electric models that will heat your pool’s water, the process takes a long time and within just a matter of minutes or hours, you’ll need to do it all over again. On the flip side, you could use a lot of energy to pump warm water into the pool and allow that to keep the temperature at the level that you enjoy. That would cost a small fortune and isn’t the best choice for the environmentally friendly person. But, solar heaters can be.

How Do They Work?

Solar pool heaters work by heating the pool based on the solar energy that is used. There are several types of solar heating units for your pool, including simple covers that can collect solar rays and use them to heat the water. But, the most beneficial type of heating unit for a pool with this technology is that of a heater. Here’s how they work.

Cold water from your pool enters into the heating unit which is lined with solar panels.

These solar panels heat the water. To do this, they use the sun’s rays for energy and turn them into fuel for heating the water. The heat from the sun is what heats the water.

Then, this warm water is moved back into your pool, allowing it to be warm and comfortable.

When it does this, a solar pool heater will allow you to maintain the temperature of heat that fits your needs and desires. Most units come with a temperature control device that allows you to make adjustments as you see fit. These pool heating units can be used in both in ground pools and above ground pools. In ground units can even pull the solar enter from your home’s solar panels.

The Benefits of solar pool heaters

There are many benefits to using solar pool heaters. They are free to use, of course, which is one of the largest reasons to switch. Standard pool heaters can cost a small fortune to keep the pool’s water at the right temperature and even still are unpredictable. Solar on the other hand is environmentally friendly to use and allows you to enjoy a longer period of time to use your pool. You don’t need to only swim when the sun is out.

In addition, you will be able to set the timer on the solar pool heater to heat your pool when you want it to be warm to enjoy. That means that you can enjoy the pool before dawn or even after dark so long as your heating unit has been able to heat the water. In pools without any type of heating, it’s only warm enough to swim after the water’s been heated by the sun’s rays directly (which can take hours.)

The benefits of these pool heaters are obvious. It is also responsible to use this type of fuel for heating your pool. The single investment into these heaters can last you a long time and give you free heating benefits for years to come. A solar pool heater may be one of the best investments you make in your pool’s lifetime.

As energy costs rise, more and more people are looking to solar heating systems for energy-efficient heating and to provide other energy needs. There are two types of solar systems available: passive and active.

What's the difference?

Both types of systems work by absorbing the sun's heat and then releasing it to heat the home and (with active solar systems) sometimes the water supply as well. Passive solar heating systems absorb the sun's heat, but there's no mechanical heating device present in this type of system. Passive solar heat is simply absorbed and then slowly released as "radiant" heat in order to heat the home itself. Some elements of passive solar heating systems include large windows, brick walls, and stone flooring. These materials are great at absorbing and then slowly releasing the sun's heat, to maintain a continual temperature within the home.

What's most important is that there be a system of air movement or "natural convection" that utilizes the way air behaves in general to make a solar heating system most effective with this type of energy-efficient heating. For example, because lighter warm air rises and heavier cold air "falls," the conduction system makes the most efficient use of this pattern. Natural circulation itself can be enough as long as doors are left open between rooms so that the air can circulate. However, fans can also be used to help circulate the air.

Active solar systems are much more complex, but also generate more heat. They cost more to set up and to maintain, since there is actual mechanical involvement. There are two basic types of active systems. These are known as either air or liquid systems. Liquid systems utilize water or antifreeze to collect, transfer and store heat from the sun, produced by "hydronic" collectors. Air systems utilize air as the medium to collect, transfer, and store the heat from the sun. In general, liquid systems are more economical to operate, and they also take up less space. However, air systems have an advantage in that they can produce more heat over a season than a liquid system can. And if they leak, they're not as messy to fix as liquid systems are. However, if you do find you have a leak in your system, you should get it fixed right away even if your air system won't quite have the same nasty repercussions as liquid system would, because it can significantly affect performance.

Active solar heating systems can also be used in capacities besides heating the home, such as heating a pool or the home's water supply. Again, as with home heating needs, it's not likely that your entire home's supply of hot water will be provided with your solar heating system, but you can expect to have roughly 50 to 80% of your needs met.

Both air and liquid solar systems are typically installed on the roof, but they can be installed on the ground or on the wall, depending on the home's position, for best solar collection.

In general, passive solar systems are best installed in homes that are newly built specifically to capture the sun's energy, because you can utilize materials and the house's position to the sun for the best effect. Active systems are best utilized if a home is to be retrofitted in order to utilize solar heat.

With both types of solar energy, you should not expect that your conventional energy usage will vanish entirely, so that you can be "off grid" as far as your heating requirements go. Rather, you should expect substantial savings. You can expect to save anywhere from 40 to 80% on your current heating bills, depending on your home's age, its position to the sun, and whether or not it had to be retrofitted with a solar heating system.

New homes built specifically with solar heating systems incorporated will generally do better with overall savings and performance. However, this shouldn't stop you from retrofitting if you do have an older home, as your energy savings can still be substantial. In addition, of course, you'll be doing the earth a big favor by cutting down on your own use of fossil fuels and other global warming villains, for energy-efficient heating.

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