As winter approaches, most homeowners are starting to think about how they will keep their homes warm this winter without a skyrocketing energy bill. It might be time to change your whole heating approach to a more efficient option.
This approach will take time, and it might require an expensive outlay, but the savings you will see in the long run will more than compensate for it.
How will you find a heating solution that works with your home?
Heating evaluation
Start by examining your current heating system to ensure that it is fit for purpose. You might not need to remove it altogether.
A few adjustments and new parts will give it a new lease on life. This is a move best contemplated well in advance of winter’s approach as you do not want to end up with no heat at all. Heating companies are busy as autumn ends and winter starts.
Part of giving your heating system a new lease on life could include a discussion about energy-efficient heating solutions from BestElectricRadiators, a company specialising in providing heating systems that will work effectively and save you money. From there, you will understand your options and make informed choices about your heating supply.
Determine the source
Most whole-house heating solutions run off electricity or gas, relying on a boiler or furnace. If you are doing a complete house renovation or building a new structure, you can choose which one is better. For starters, you can check out this Worcester 8000 review for a detailed description of one of the most powerful boilers on the market.
Much of the decision will rest on the cost of resources. Prices for electricity and gas vary, and one might be cheaper in your area while the opposite applies in another.
Find out about pricing and expected consumption to calculate which option will reduce your energy bill. Getting an expert to show you the difference between your resource options and how they will affect your expenses will greatly assist you. This is a long-term decision and should not be undertaken lightly.
Supplement your heating solution
There might be areas of your home that need additional warming during the cold spells that punctuate any winter. Find out about supplemental heating sources. This could include baseboard or underfloor heating. Both sources are close to the ground and create heat that rises and fills a room.
If you decide to buy an electric heating unit to keep in a room such as a lounge, ensure that it is energy star rated, as this means it will not waste electricity.
Several options are available in this category of appliance, including blower heaters, bar heaters, halogen heaters, or radiator heaters. They are portable, so you can move them around the house with you. Unplug such appliances when they are not in use.
Curl up in front of the fireplace
A woodburning fireplace is still regarded as highly effective, provided you have a supply of affordable, dry, chopped wood and that your chimney is cleaned annually and in good working order. If you have sufficient access to wood, using a fireplace will supplement your current heating solution without costing you an arm and a leg.
For optimal effectiveness, keep the doors to a room heated by a fireplace closed or leave them only slightly ajar. Otherwise, you will allow all the heat the fire generates to escape into other parts of the house.
Annual chimney maintenance is essential to avoid a smoky room at best and a devastating blaze at worst. Follow safety guidelines to ensure that your fireplace is not a safety hazard.
Do not forget that summer is coming
Summer is but a distant memory as you wade your way through the freezing depths of winter. However, it is best to plan for those sticky months of unbearable heat.
The ideal solution would be a system that caters to your heating and cooling needs. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are growing in popularity because they do exactly that.
You can kill two birds with one stone by having an HVAC system installed at your home. The exterior unit sucks in outdoor air and heats or cools it to the desired temperature before emitting it from the indoor units. Used wisely and kept well-maintained, an HVAC system can reduce your heating and cooling costs each year.
Image: Heating Options via Kishivan/Shutterstock