When you own a home, creating the most comfortable atmosphere that you can becomes a common pursuit. That means having furniture that we enjoy, good insulation to maintain the right temperatures, functional appliances, decor that brings peace of mind, and plenty of other aspects that make a house into a home.
One challenge that many homeowners face is keeping the house warm, especially in regions that experience long, cold winters. You can rely on wearing sweaters and bundling up under more blankets for warmth or you can invest in proper heating systems to keep everyone comfortable.
While most homes have a furnace and forced air to do the heavy-lifting for the house, there are other ways to keep warm inside when it is chilly out there. (Just remember to follow these home fire safety tips when implementing heating sources). Here are a few ideas for warming the home in a unique way.
Wood Pellet Stove
Wood pellet stoves are great sources of heat for the home, especially when they are located in the main parts of the house like the family or living room. These appliances produce a contained flame that burns on small wood pellets that are continuously fed into the burner. Air is pulled into the stove, heated by the process of convection, and then blown into the room.
Wood pellets can be bought in bulk or just by the bag, so stocking up for the winter becomes an important step before the cold weather begins. Many people love pellet stoves because you don’t have to deal with the hassle of actual logs, and they are pretty safe since they run on electricity and can therefore be controlled more.
Gas Fireplace
These heating sources are sealed chambers in which combustion heats the air that is pulled in and then pushes it out into the home. The gaseous byproducts that are created are then vented outside, ensuring the safety of those in the home. This more aesthetic choice also makes the room look cozier as they usually are designed to look like a real fireplace. Though you need to understand some of its inner workings, including how to turn on the pilot light, they are relatively easy to maintain and are an efficient source of heat for your home.
Heated flooring
A newer trend that is becoming more popular in 2022, heated flooring is a way to heat the home with reduced usage of forced air. Essentially, wiring is placed through the flooring that radiates heat powered by electricity or a boiler. It is an efficient method for keeping the house warm, and it is relatively easy to install. Plus, for those who suffer from allergies easily, the lack of blowing air in the home can work wonders for your physical condition.
They also allow for more space since you don’t have to place clunky space heaters or radiators in every room. If you want a unique source of heat that is energy-efficient and visibly pleasing, heated flooring could be the way to go.
Geothermal heating
The ground temperature remains relatively consistent if you go a few feet down, making it an excellent tool for home heating with the right equipment. Geothermal pumps use ground temperatures to regulate the air in the home, making the outside air’s temperature irrelevant to its functioning. Although they are an expensive installation, they are much more efficient than other heat sources and can end up saving you money in the long run.
Saving Heat vs Creating it
Maybe you are not looking to invest in a whole new heating system and want to just make your current system more efficient. There are ideas for that too. If you have a fireplace, remember to close the flue when not in use to preserve that precious warm air. Make space around your vents and registers so that the heat coming in can spread throughout the room more.
If you have higher ceilings, consider putting a ceiling fan on the reverse to push the warm air that is up high down into the rest of the room. Have curtains on your windows? Leave them open whenever it is sunny and then close them at night to trap in as much heat as possible. There are plenty of small and inexpensive habits that you can form to keep your home as efficient as possible during the cold months, so make sure that you are not being wasteful. Your wallet will also thank you for it.
What are your Goals for Heating your Home?
Are you looking for form over function? Do you want the most energy-efficient way to heat your home? Is the least expensive installation more important to you? These are questions you should know the answers to before you consider changing the heating system within your home. There are many unique methods for maintaining warmth when it gets cold outside, and they each have strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully, your choice makes for a cozier and more comfortable home.
