5 Alternative Ways to Heat your Home in Winter

Getting your home ready for winter is not a task to be taken lightly. As well as organizing the holiday festivities and stocking up on the essentials, it’s wise to start preparing for the months of cold weather and plan how you will heat your home.

While conventional gas and electric heating are customary, have you considered alternative ways to heat your home in winter? To follow are 5 great alternative ideas that will not only positively impact your bills, but also the environment.

Geothermal heating

An age old method used across the globe; the geothermal heating process extracts heat retained within the earth. The heat is usually extracted through pipes buried in the back yard which connect to a ground source heat pump. The pump circulates a liquid mixture of water and antifreeze which heats as it passes through the pipes, and then passes through a heat exchanger. Of course, the installation can be expensive and slightly disruptive to your yard, but the results are extremely rewarding in reducing the need for conventional heating and thus reducing, sometimes eliminating, utility bills.

Solar heating

Solar panels allow you to generate cheap, green energy directly from sunlight, working even on cloudy days. Solar panel cells are made from layers of semi-conductive materials (typically silicon), which convert photons of light into electricity. The electricity is stored in batteries and can be used at any time of day. You may also find that generating solar energy allows you to sell surplus electricity back to the grid.

Pellet stoves

Similar to the wood stove, the pellet stove was introduced in the U.S in the 1980’s and is now becoming increasingly popular. Fueled by pellets of compacted wood chips and sawdust, the pellet stove replaces the need to burn those fast-disappearing fossil fuels. A versatile, self-igniting appliance, this stove is a green and clean alternative to conventional heating, and will heat a room in minutes. When purchased in bulk, pellets are a cheap alternative to propane and electricity.

Radiant heating

Although the initial installation may create a clear dent in your bank account, radiant heating is a preferred method of efficiently heating homes as well as slashing bill costs. For those that suffer from allergies, radiant heating can help in the breakdown of allergens and dust too, unlike forced-air heating systems.

Retain heat without a heater

Although it may seem obvious, there are ways to retain the heat in your home without using a heater. Popular with those on a budget, fully insulating and sealing your home to prevent heat escaping through the cracks is an excellent alternative to continuously heating your house.

Make sure you conduct the following:

  • Insulate your attic or crawl space
  • Double glaze any windows
  • Lay rugs or carpets, and hang heavy curtains over the windows
  • Close off unused rooms and seal all drafts

The Matrix Basement Finishing System has an R18 insulation value on each of 4x8 wall panels. This additional insulation in your basement can greatly reduce your energy and utility bill costs, keeping your basement and home warmer in the winter months. For more information about our highly insulated and energy-friendly wall systems, please contact us at 847-290-8000 today.