| There are some less expensive ways to heat | | | | popper less efficient. In the northern climates, the |
| your home and electric heating systems can be | | | | radiant heating systems can save 25% to 30% |
| more affordable than gas, when the proper | | | | over a gas heating system, during winter months. |
| installation is used, such as a heat pump or radiant | | | | There are several ways that electric systems are |
| heat systems and when the temperature is | | | | more efficient and environmentally friendly than a |
| evenly controlled to be more efficient, such as a | | | | gas heating system, through smoother operation |
| programmable thermostat. With the rising cost of | | | | and less waste. This is especially true in the case |
| oil and gas, it used to be that it was a cheaper | | | | of electric heat pumps, which are the most |
| method of heating a home, even though the pilot | | | | efficient heating system. While a heat pump is |
| would use gas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, | | | | much more efficient at heating than cooling, it is |
| but that is no longer the case. | | | | more energy efficient than forced air electric |
| With the more energy efficient electric heating | | | | furnaces, by far. You can get electric heat pumps |
| systems, you can save money, especially when | | | | that are tailored for heating a room at a time, or |
| your home is properly insulated and | | | | you can get a whole house heating system that |
| weather-stripped, along with proper air sealing. | | | | can save you money and keep you warm. |
| There is a difference in forced air electric heat | | | | If you consider some of the energy efficient |
| and the radiant heat systems, however. In a | | | | systems that are on the market, it is possible to |
| forced air heating system, you have electrical | | | | combine your hot water with your heating |
| blowers that run, which use electricity. With | | | | system, through radiant heat. A radiant heating |
| radiant heat systems that use less electricity, the | | | | system that uses the metal piping to run through |
| elements allow the air from the heated elements | | | | the walls and floors of a home not only heats |
| to seep into the room and keep it warmer, with | | | | your hot water, but warms the home with the |
| less effort. | | | | heat that is radiating from the pipes. This is |
| The best way to compare these two electrical | | | | becoming a popular electric heating method in new |
| heat methods would be to consider the difference | | | | construction homes that want to make the most |
| in an appliance, like a toaster that warms the air | | | | of their electric heat pump and save the most |
| through elements to heat the bread and make | | | | money on their heating bills. When you are looking |
| toast, versus a hot air popcorn popper that uses | | | | for the systems that can save you the most |
| warm air that is considered forced air. They are | | | | money on your energy bills, electric heat pumps |
| both ways to heat the air, but the hot air popper | | | | that are combined with radiant heat systems are |
| would take considerably longer to make toast | | | | the most effective way to heat your home and |
| than a toaster would, making the forced air | | | | save the most money. |