| With the winter season quickly approaching, many | | | | it does have other advantages, such as its ability |
| consumers are researching ways to help lower | | | | to be used to run appliances, fuel a fireplace and |
| their heating bills. Ways to do so vary greatly, and | | | | heat water. However since natural gas is provided |
| can be as simple as a few quick do-it-yourself | | | | by local utility companies it may not be available in |
| home improvements or a call to your local HVAC | | | | all areas so be sure to call your local supplier. |
| company. | | | | |
| The three most effective and simple steps you | | | | Ground (Geothermal) Heat Pump Systems: |
| can complete in a few hours. First, simply lower | | | | Geothermal Heat Pumps have become quite |
| the temperature on your thermostat. Three to | | | | popular as an alternative way to heat residences |
| five degrees may not feel like a huge difference | | | | and businesses alike. They work by relying on the |
| but can make quite a cost dent over a period of | | | | relatively constant temperature of the earth 3-5 |
| time, and if you start to get a little chilly put on a | | | | feet below the surface. While the upfront costs |
| sweater for warmth as opposed to cranking up | | | | can be daunting, it is possible to recoup your |
| the entire heating system. Secondly, space | | | | investment in as little as five years, and to reduce |
| heaters are versatile, fairly inexpensive, and can | | | | your energy consumption by 44-72% according |
| be very energy efficient if you do your | | | | to the EPA. |
| homework. Heating the one or two rooms you | | | | Solar Heating Systems: Solar power is economical, |
| are using instead of your whole home can save | | | | renewable, and environmentally friendly, making it |
| money on heating bills, and is often recommended | | | | greatly appealing to many consumers. While the |
| by government departments. Lastly, weatherizing | | | | initial costs can seem to be staggering the long |
| your home by adding new door and window seals | | | | term benefits are worth the work, as the |
| where needed or using caulk to stop leaks is a | | | | Department of Energy estimates that a properly |
| simple and effective way to ensure your heating | | | | designed and installed solar system can provide |
| system is not working in vain. If you don't already | | | | 40-80% of a home's heating needs. |
| have them you may want to consider installing | | | | Wood or Pellet Burning Stoves: Wood burning |
| double-paned windows, although you may need to | | | | stoves have become more efficient and operate |
| call your handyman to have him install them for | | | | much safer than they did five to ten years ago, |
| warranty purposes. | | | | and with the increase cost of gas and oil have |
| While there are ways to increase efficiency and | | | | also been able to provide an economical solution |
| lower bills with a few home projects, sometimes | | | | for many homeowners. All-inclusive costs range |
| it is necessary to discuss some other options. | | | | around the one thousand dollars, making them |
| While they may include a larger investment than | | | | economically reachable for almost all homeowners. |
| the small steps described above they will pay off | | | | On the other hand, pellet burning stoves cost |
| by lowering your heating bills with long-term | | | | between 2-3 thousand dollars, and compacted |
| solutions. Here are four heating alternatives to | | | | pellets of wood, corn kernels, nutshells, or |
| give you something to think about: | | | | sawdust provide fuel. The Environmental |
| Natural Gas Conversion: The cost for the oil used | | | | Protection Agency states that they are one of |
| for home heating is expected to jump almost | | | | the "cleanest-burning heating appliances available |
| 31% according to the Department of Energy. | | | | today" and exempts them from smoke-emission |
| While a natural gas heating system can cost | | | | testing requirements. |
| between three to seven thousand dollars to install | | | | |