Alternative Heating Overview - Where Do You Fit In?
Finding just the right alternative heating option requires balancing the size of your
home, lot size and availability of alternative fuels (including sunshine) against local utility
rates, local building codes, Federal and State tax incentives and how much you're willing
to spend.
I've tried to simplify this process by suggesting realistic options based on the size of
your home and how much land, if any, you have to work with.
Urban Alternative Heating
The most practical and inexpensive heating solution for apartments and condos is the
tried and true space heater.
One example is the oil filled radiator. They're not the fastest way to heat a room, but
they're safe, silent, and don't kick up dust and allergens. Oil filled space heaters are the
only type allowed in college dorms. If quick heat is what you're looking for, buy a space
heater equipped with a fan. Most fan equipped space heaters are also child and pet
friendly.
Many urban enclaves include thousands of ranch style homes. These one story, 800-
1,200 square foot homes can be heated entirely with any of the following appliances:
An 800-1,200 sq. ft. home would require an appliance with a heat output in the 35,000-
45,000 Btu range. This size appliance is standard across all makes, models and fuel
types. Naturally, you want to buy a stove or fireplace insert that burns the cheapest,
most readily available fuel in your area.
As of March '08; corn, natural gas, wood pellets and wood cost half as much to heat with
as propane or electricity and 30% less than heating oil.
Unvented Natural Gas and Propane Heating Appliances
Unvented natural gas log fireplaces or propane space heaters are less expensive to
purchase and install (no venting through walls), but may be prohibited in some localities.
Make sure the unit you purchase has an Oxygen Depletion Sensor. This safety device
turns off the heater when the oxygen in the room drops below 18%; normal is around
21%.
Radiant Heat Panels
Ceiling mounted electric radiant heat panels provide the ultimate in zoned heating.
Zoned heating allows you to heat only the room(s) you're using. Individual rooms can be
retrofitted with radiant heat panels using existing wiring and, once installed, can bring
the room up to temperature in as little as four minutes.
Radiant ceiling heat panels cost around $1.50 per square foot of heated area, or $1,800
for a 1,200 sq. ft. home. This is comparable to the price of a new pellet stove. One major
difference between these two heating methods is radiant heat panels don't require you
to store and carry around 40 lb. bags of pellets.
Solar Hot Water
Solar domestic hot water systems are on the rise in urban areas. A small system with
the capacity to heat 35 gallons a day, (enough for 1-2 people) would cost around $4,000.
The Federal tax credit for solar water heaters, which remains in effect until December 31,
2008, would reduce the final cost by $1,200. Additional energy tax credits are also
offered by individual States. In Massachusetts, the tax credit would be around $600.
The solar hot water system in this example would save about 2,440 kWh per year in
electricity, or $375 annually @.154/kWh.
Suburban Alternative Heating
All of the alternative heating suggestions mentioned above work equally well in larger
suburban homes. Although the typical 45,000 Btu pellet stove or fireplace insert isn't
large enough to efficiently heat a two story house, it will still do a great job heating the
main floor of your home where everyone spends the most time.
Indoor Pellet and Wood Furnaces
A larger version of the pellet/corn/wood stove is the indoor furnace. A 100,000 Btu unit
capable of heating a 3,000 sq. ft. home costs around $3,600. Many of these furnaces
give you the option to burn either corn or wood pellets.
Fuel cost savings of 30%-50% over heating oil and LP gas are also possible with indoor
pellet/wood furnaces. The only problem with this type of system is figuring out the
easiest way to get the fuel to the furnace, which in most cases means the basement.
Outdoor Pellet and Wood Furnaces
If you take an indoor bio-fuel/wood furnace, move it outside, and enclose it in a weather
proof shed, you get an outdoor furnace. Although originally designed to heat multiple
buildings in rural areas, manufacturers of outdoor furnaces have recently down-sized
heat outputs to accommodate residential demand.
The new residential outdoor furnaces rated at 175,000 - 200,000 Btus will heat a 3,000
sq. ft. home, or a 2,000 sq. ft. house and detached garage or workshop. They're also
well suited for radiant hydronic (water based) baseboard, in-floor or under-floor heat.
An investment of $10,000 should cover the cost of the furnace, fuel storage hopper and
installation - minus Federal and State energy tax credits.
Geothermal Heating/Cooling
A geothermal system uses a heat pump to move the heat from the earth (or a
groundwater source) into the home in the winter, and pulls the heat from the house
and discharges it into the ground in the summer. The underground (or underwater)
piping loops serve as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer.
Geothermal heat pumps are 300% efficient. In other words, for every $1 you spend on
electricity to run the heat pump, you get $3 worth of heating or cooling. For a 3,000 sq.
ft. home, this would mean a heating/hot water/cooling bill of $100-$145 a month -
depending on how much you pay per kilowatt hour (kWh) for electricity.
The $20,000 price tag can be subsidized with a 10% Federal tax credit and additional
State sponsored incentives.
Manufactured Home Alternative Heating
Manufactured homes are a growing segment of the suburban real estate market. But fire
safety codes are very specific about permitted fuels and heating systems. Check with
your insurance agent and local building department before you start shopping for a
manufactured home alternative heating appliance.
Rural Alternative Heating
With so much room to work with, you have the ability to mix and match any available
alternative heating/energy technologies to create a combined heat and power system
(CHP) .
A possible CHP for homeowners in the Corn Belt would be an outdoor corn furnace for
heat and hot water, coupled with a wind turbine for electricity.
If your property includes a pond and gets a reasonable amount of sunshine, you could
heat and cool your home with a closed loop geothermal system and provide power to
the heat pump with solar panels.
home, lot size and availability of alternative fuels (including sunshine) against local utility
rates, local building codes, Federal and State tax incentives and how much you're willing
to spend.
I've tried to simplify this process by suggesting realistic options based on the size of
your home and how much land, if any, you have to work with.
Urban Alternative Heating
The most practical and inexpensive heating solution for apartments and condos is the
tried and true space heater.
One example is the oil filled radiator. They're not the fastest way to heat a room, but
they're safe, silent, and don't kick up dust and allergens. Oil filled space heaters are the
only type allowed in college dorms. If quick heat is what you're looking for, buy a space
heater equipped with a fan. Most fan equipped space heaters are also child and pet
friendly.
Many urban enclaves include thousands of ranch style homes. These one story, 800-
1,200 square foot homes can be heated entirely with any of the following appliances:
- Wood, corn or pellet stove.
- Wood, corn, pellet, gas or propane fireplace insert.
- Vented or unvented gas or propane wall unit.
An 800-1,200 sq. ft. home would require an appliance with a heat output in the 35,000-
45,000 Btu range. This size appliance is standard across all makes, models and fuel
types. Naturally, you want to buy a stove or fireplace insert that burns the cheapest,
most readily available fuel in your area.
As of March '08; corn, natural gas, wood pellets and wood cost half as much to heat with
as propane or electricity and 30% less than heating oil.
Unvented Natural Gas and Propane Heating Appliances
Unvented natural gas log fireplaces or propane space heaters are less expensive to
purchase and install (no venting through walls), but may be prohibited in some localities.
Make sure the unit you purchase has an Oxygen Depletion Sensor. This safety device
turns off the heater when the oxygen in the room drops below 18%; normal is around
21%.
Radiant Heat Panels
Ceiling mounted electric radiant heat panels provide the ultimate in zoned heating.
Zoned heating allows you to heat only the room(s) you're using. Individual rooms can be
retrofitted with radiant heat panels using existing wiring and, once installed, can bring
the room up to temperature in as little as four minutes.
Radiant ceiling heat panels cost around $1.50 per square foot of heated area, or $1,800
for a 1,200 sq. ft. home. This is comparable to the price of a new pellet stove. One major
difference between these two heating methods is radiant heat panels don't require you
to store and carry around 40 lb. bags of pellets.
Solar Hot Water
Solar domestic hot water systems are on the rise in urban areas. A small system with
the capacity to heat 35 gallons a day, (enough for 1-2 people) would cost around $4,000.
The Federal tax credit for solar water heaters, which remains in effect until December 31,
2008, would reduce the final cost by $1,200. Additional energy tax credits are also
offered by individual States. In Massachusetts, the tax credit would be around $600.
The solar hot water system in this example would save about 2,440 kWh per year in
electricity, or $375 annually @.154/kWh.
Suburban Alternative Heating
All of the alternative heating suggestions mentioned above work equally well in larger
suburban homes. Although the typical 45,000 Btu pellet stove or fireplace insert isn't
large enough to efficiently heat a two story house, it will still do a great job heating the
main floor of your home where everyone spends the most time.
Indoor Pellet and Wood Furnaces
A larger version of the pellet/corn/wood stove is the indoor furnace. A 100,000 Btu unit
capable of heating a 3,000 sq. ft. home costs around $3,600. Many of these furnaces
give you the option to burn either corn or wood pellets.
Fuel cost savings of 30%-50% over heating oil and LP gas are also possible with indoor
pellet/wood furnaces. The only problem with this type of system is figuring out the
easiest way to get the fuel to the furnace, which in most cases means the basement.
Outdoor Pellet and Wood Furnaces
If you take an indoor bio-fuel/wood furnace, move it outside, and enclose it in a weather
proof shed, you get an outdoor furnace. Although originally designed to heat multiple
buildings in rural areas, manufacturers of outdoor furnaces have recently down-sized
heat outputs to accommodate residential demand.
The new residential outdoor furnaces rated at 175,000 - 200,000 Btus will heat a 3,000
sq. ft. home, or a 2,000 sq. ft. house and detached garage or workshop. They're also
well suited for radiant hydronic (water based) baseboard, in-floor or under-floor heat.
An investment of $10,000 should cover the cost of the furnace, fuel storage hopper and
installation - minus Federal and State energy tax credits.
Geothermal Heating/Cooling
A geothermal system uses a heat pump to move the heat from the earth (or a
groundwater source) into the home in the winter, and pulls the heat from the house
and discharges it into the ground in the summer. The underground (or underwater)
piping loops serve as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer.
Geothermal heat pumps are 300% efficient. In other words, for every $1 you spend on
electricity to run the heat pump, you get $3 worth of heating or cooling. For a 3,000 sq.
ft. home, this would mean a heating/hot water/cooling bill of $100-$145 a month -
depending on how much you pay per kilowatt hour (kWh) for electricity.
The $20,000 price tag can be subsidized with a 10% Federal tax credit and additional
State sponsored incentives.
Manufactured Home Alternative Heating
Manufactured homes are a growing segment of the suburban real estate market. But fire
safety codes are very specific about permitted fuels and heating systems. Check with
your insurance agent and local building department before you start shopping for a
manufactured home alternative heating appliance.
Rural Alternative Heating
With so much room to work with, you have the ability to mix and match any available
alternative heating/energy technologies to create a combined heat and power system
(CHP) .
A possible CHP for homeowners in the Corn Belt would be an outdoor corn furnace for
heat and hot water, coupled with a wind turbine for electricity.
If your property includes a pond and gets a reasonable amount of sunshine, you could
heat and cool your home with a closed loop geothermal system and provide power to
the heat pump with solar panels.
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