The Advantages of an Alternative Home Heating System

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.

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Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons

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.

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Solar Water Heating Systems Basics

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.

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Solar Sheeting Promises Cheap Solar Energy Soon

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.

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Solar Pool Heaters - A Natural Solution

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.

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Solar heating systems for your house

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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Boost Your Solar Heating Panels Basics

Solar heating panels come in two different classifications. This is based upon the fluid that is contained within the panels themselves. The two classifications for solar panels heating are either liquid or gas. The panels are even further classified down based on the temperature collection in which they work. These are of course low, medium and high.

The low temperature collectors are designed to only work from 35-30 degrees above normal temp and are primarily used for heating swimming pools. The medium temperature solar heating panels are designed to work from 15-200 degrees above optimal temperature. The primary use for this type of panel is space heating and water heating.

The high temperature solar heating panels operate in the upper levels of the medium panels, but in most cases are connected to a sun tracking device in order to maximize efficiency of the panel and to get the most out of the sun.

The purpose as well as the use of the heating panels will explain the cost as well as the material that they will be composed of. The higher the end temperature, the more glazing of the panel will be required as well as the amount of insulation that will be needed to maintain the panel.

The only purpose for unglazed solar heating panels would be for the heating of swimming pools since they do not retain or cannot make much heat from the solar energy that is produced. In most cases the life of these panels tends to be about 20 years.

The purpose of the glazing on the solar water (or air) heating panels is to work as a lock. The glaze traps in the solar energy after it has been absorbed and stores. This would not be very practical when looking to increase the temperature of your pool by only a few degrees. It is however very practical when you are looking to either heat your home or you are looking to heat a building. The logic behind this is that there are going to be times when your home will need to be heated when the sun is not out so therefore you would tap into the stored solar energy to produce the heat that is required for your home.

When considering efficiency of your solar heating panels, take into account what they are made of. In regards to the glazing, high iron tempered glass seems to work best. This is because it has a low reflection rate. The casing should be made of steel so as to protect the panel from heat loss due to wind also because of its durability. In essence for your heating panels you should try and make sure they are not made of plastic and that they do not contain a lot of aluminum as they will generally not hold up. Make sure to look into what materials as well as the insulation that is used in your solar heating panels so as to insure that you are getting the most for your money when it comes to what you choose.

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Soapstone Stoves: Why They Have Been Around For So Long

Soapstone stoves provide many wonderful qualities. On the outside, they are simply beautiful. But, that is not what makes them such a wonderful choice as a wood burning stove. There are more qualities that do that. When considering any wood stove purchase, it is important to insure the quality of the stove before anything else. This is so because you want to get the most heat possible from your fuel. And, you want that heat to last as long as possible as well. It is because of these facts that these stoves have been around for so very long.

What Are They?

Soapstone stoves are made by many manufacturers. But, they all have one thing in common. That is the product of which they are made. Soapstone is a talc that is called steatite. This is a very smooth, very dense product. The important quality of it is its ability to store a great deal of heat. These stoves are not by far the only thing that this material was used for. It was used in Ancient Egypt for statues for its beauty. For its heat, it has been used in cooking bowls and pots, as a bed warmer, and as a method of cooking. In fact, soapstone can be heated and then used to keep a pot at a constant simmer for an hour without any additional heat.

Stove Facts

Soapstone stoves are able to meet very high demands. They are slow burning making fuel go for longer periods of time while still producing a high level of heat. They are also providers of excellent radiant heat. This is heat that comes right off of the stove itself to fill the room. Even once the fire in the stove has died down, the stove can remain hot delivering that radiant heat for quite a while. It is also quite durable in that it does not allow any acids or alkali substances to adhere to it. This makes it clean burning. Unlike other stoves, it can take the large scales of heat that a stove can produce without becoming distorted. These stoves can handle a good amount of temperature change.

Of course, these stoves are also quite capable of providing heat for a home. But, they do add quite a bit of beauty to that home as well. They are available in a wide range of colors, which makes them perfect for adding aesthetic properties to a home as well. They come in a variety of sizes to fit your home’s needs. And, they can be custom made to fit your specific needs as well.

One thing to insure about the purchase of your soapstone stoves is their ability to meet EPA regulations. All stoves that are sold to be used in the United States must meet these guidelines for safe use as well as environmental protection.

Choose from wood burning soapstone stoves to those that burn gas. Use them for decoration in your home, or use them to heat your home through the coldest of months. Many individuals find them to be well worth their cost. Soapstone stoves may cost more but they can deliver a good amount of heat to make up for it.

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Small Wood Stoves - Large Range of Stoves for Different Purposes

Small wood stoves are small wood burning heating appliances for a widespread of purposes. Whether you are looking for a fireplace insert, a stand-alone heating device, a portable heating solution for your outdoor or camping needs or for cooking food, you have small woodstoves for all applications. Small stoves are available in a large array of options if you are willing to use wood as your primary heating fuel or simply spend some evenings in the comfort of wood fire.

Small woodstoves are ideal heating solutions for small seasonal cottages or family rooms. You can use these stoves to heat small portions of a large home for zone heating. This can be an energy efficient way to heat only the frequently used portion or room of your house and save money on your energy bills. However, if you are looking for a heating solution for small and mid-sized homes, you will have to select mid-sized wood stoves. For larger or leakier homes, you will need a large size wood burning stove.

Advantages of Small Wood Stoves

Small stoves mimic the fireplace. You can add them to your existing masonry fireplace without having the need for major structural changes. These small stoves not only provide heating comfort in the winters but also double up as a decorative accent for your living space. This is because of the attractive looks of these stoves. You can select from woodstoves, fireplace inserts, or small wood burning cook stoves in a number of style and design options right from antique Victorian models to contemporary wood stoves with a host of modern features.

If you are looking for comfort with elegance, you can select a small wood stove with freestanding structure. The small woods stoves are generally made of cast iron and are easy to operate and handle. These elegant stoves have iron legs and decorative bodies. Engravings and ornamentation of these beautiful stoves make them a hot favorite. These stoves have a pipe for expelling the unwanted smoke. This pipe can go out either through the ceiling or through the wall and prevent you from the fumes and smoke.

Small Woodstoves - A Combination of Safety, Economy and Comfort

Apart from the great looks, these stoves are safe when compared to the heating appliances that use oil and gas. With these stoves, you are free from the danger of fire accidents that are caused because of leaving the gas open. The sturdy body eliminates the possibility of tipping over of the stove and staring a fire. Moreover, these stoves use wood that is easily available and is a safe and economic fuel than oil, gas and electricity.

Kindling the fire and extinguishing it is easier in small stoves than the stoves that use coal as fuel. Small wood burning stoves produce much less ash than the coal stoves and fireplace inserts. According to estimates, wood-burning produces 10 times less ash as compared to burning similar amount of coal. This feature of wood stoves makes them free from the need of frequent cleaning and maintenance.

Last but not the least, using small wood stoves lets you discharge your responsibility towards the ecology and environment. These stoves use wood, which is an ecologically safe fuel than oil, gas and even coal. Wood is renewable source of energy and can be easily replenished. Some latest models of wood burning stoves also use wood pellets as fuel, which are made from sawdust, wood waste and other biomass waste thereby eliminating the need for felling the trees for fuel.

While selecting a small wood stove it is necessary that you consider certain aspects such as what is the area that the stove will heat, what type of wood it uses and what is the burn time. However, all these factors are relative to conditions such as geographic location and outside weather. For example, if one stove can heat a 1000 square foot area in Georgia, it could heat only a 400 square area in Alaska because of the extreme climatic differences.

Similarly, the burn time also depends upon the type of wood and the moisture content. Therefore, it would be better that you consider all the aspects, make necessary enquiries and if necessary, take expert advice before purchasing a small wood stove for your house.

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Six High-Tech Tips for Keeping Warm without Turning up the Heat

High-tech tips for keeping warm this winter don’t have to cost and arm and a leg. Some of the best are available at any big box store for less than $50 USD. The following six tips for keeping warm this winter are all simple, effective, and designed to lower home heating bills without any big upfront investment:

Stay warm in front of the computer or TV with a USB blanket. USB blankets don’t eat up a lot of electricity, and will keep you warm and toasty while surfing the Internet or watching television at night. Some USB blankets even come in robe-like shapes for this exact purpose.

Keep feet toasty with battery powered heating socks or wool slippers. Battery-powered socks keep feet warm and dry for a fraction of a cent per use. Wool slippers are even cheaper. Wool is the only fabric that retains warmth when wet, but don’t throw wool socks or slippers in the dryer! Wool shrinks if not laid out flat after a cold water washing.

Maximize your home heating efficiency with a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can be purchased at any big box home improvement store or hardware store for as little as $30 USD. Easy to install, a programmable thermostat helps you to keep warm in the winter without turning up the heat by turning down the heat automatically when you are out of the house or asleep. This single high-tech tip for keeping warm can pay for itself in a single month in colder climates.

Stay warm while texting with touch-screen gloves. A company called A glove sells special indoor gloves so thing and responsive you can actually text or type while wearing them. Paired with an automatic blanket, touch-screen gloves are one of the best tips for staying warm in a cold house while enjoying any relaxing activity.

Insulate outlets to put an end to cold drafts. One of the cheapest and simplest tips for staying warm is to insulate all your electrical outlets. Many local hardware stores sell outlet insulation panels that just pop in behind the outlet cover, or you can easily make your own. Cold drafts can seep into a room from seemingly small spaces, and many people forget about the air that gets in through holes in their walls cut for electrical outlets.

Celebrate a bygone era with a hot water bottle! A basic tip for keeping warm that few people today remember is the hot water bottle. Inexpensive to buy and cheap to fill, a hot water bottle can keep you warm on the couch or in bed all winter long for a negligible cost.

Notice that most of these tips for keeping warm involve keeping individual bodies warm as opposed to entire houses. During the years when energy was cheap, most households got used to romping around a winter home in bare feet and shorts, but in times gone by, wool long johns, heavy socks, and toasty quilts were staples in every winter home.

Employing basic or high-tech tips for keeping warm involves changing old habits. Keeping a body warm is lots cheaper than heating an entire home. Try any new tip for keeping warm for three weeks and it becomes a new habit—a habit that will be reinforced when reduced home heating bills start tolling in!

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