As winter approaches and the streets are covered with snow, you will likely spend more time inside your home. This means that you will need a source of heat that keeps you and your family warm and cozy without putting a dent in your budget.
Rather than cranking up the thermostat, try these energy-saving heating tricks to stay warm and cozy this winter.
Gas Fireplaces
Many homeowners enjoy the warmth and visual appeal of a natural-looking fire in their fireplace. It can improve your home’s value, and it can also add comfort to your living space.
With a gas fireplace, you can easily control the heat and flame with a remote, or with a programmable thermostat. Many also come with timers to help you avoid accidentally leaving the fire on too long, which can waste energy and money.
There are several types of gas fireplaces, including inserts and built-ins. They come in vented and vent-free models. The vented versions require an opening in the wall and chimney to release exhaust fumes, while the vent-free models are safe for homes without a chimney.
Wood Fireplaces
Wood fireplaces are masonry fireboxes that get framed into a wall and are designed to burn wood logs. They are a great option for new homes that want to add the look and feel of a fireplace without having to first build or renovate a chimney or open masonry fireplace.
This type of fireplace provides radiant heat that keeps your living spaces warm throughout the winter. It also allows you to reduce your dependence on central heating to stay cozy during the cold months.
When asked to select one motive for using their fireplace, participants in a recent study chose complementary heating and “cozy fire making.” These are great motives that may help you save on energy costs!
But wood burning fireplaces are not very efficient at transferring heat into the home. In fact, a wood fireplace draws not only air from the outside through a chimney flue but it also pulls heated and conditioned home air out of the house along with the smoke and fumes.
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are a cost-effective way to add warmth, visual appeal and ambience to your home. They also provide a source of heat without the need for a chimney, and are a great option for homes that cannot or will not install wood-burning fireplaces.
They do not produce any smoke or harmful gases, making them a better choice for those who have asthma or other respiratory conditions. They are also more environmentally friendly than gas-powered fireplaces and offer a range of customization options that allow you to alter the flame effect and heat settings according to your preference.
They are easy to install as they do not require any type of venting. You can simply plug in your electric fireplace and get started. Some models are even designed to be built into TV stands or other types of furniture for a unique look. They also come in a variety of different styles to fit your personal design preferences and match the decor in your home.
Furnace
Furnaces heat homes by converting fossil fuel into heat through a combustion process and pushing that heated air through ductwork to raise the temperature of all areas of the home. They also use a fresh air intake to bring in outside air, which helps prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
Fresh air is vital to the furnace’s combustion process because it provides oxygen that it uses during the heating cycle. Without it, a furnace would use all the oxygen inside your home, which could lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Conventional furnaces without fresh air intakes rely on vents that draw air in from the attic, crawl space, laundry room and other unconditioned spaces. Air drawn from these areas contains higher levels of corrosive contaminants that reduce the lifespan of your furnace. This makes having a fresh air intake in your Rainier home essential for ensuring that your furnace is operating properly during extremely cold weather.
Electric fireplaces are truly the best option for saving on energy costs and heating the home effectively without the need for a chimney. Great information!
Furnaces sound like the most reliable and efficient option for heating a home. The need for fresh air intake is a major consideration for ensuring safety and proper operation during cold weather.
Wood fireplaces are great for creating a cozy atmosphere, but the fact that they are not very efficient at transferring heat into the home is a drawback. Aesthetically pleasing, but not the best option for energy savings.
I’m not convinced that gas fireplaces are a good option. They can add comfort to your living space, but the vented versions require an opening in the wall and chimney, which can be a hassle and cost extra money.
It’s fascinating to learn about the different types of fireplaces and heating methods. Great information to consider when deciding on the best heating options for the home.