Whether you’re hoping to lower your heating bills or do your part to reduce our dependence on nonrenewable energy sources, green heating alternatives are certainly worth considering. Take a look at four of the most viable options for your Springfield home.
Geothermal Heating
Did you know that the ground stays a relatively consistent temperature all year-round? While the air above ground fluctuates more than 100 degrees between seasons, water in the soil typically stays between 42 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This gives you the chance to access geothermal heat during the winter, as well as the summer.
While boilers and furnaces use combustion to create heat, geothermal heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from the ground outside to your home. Energy Star has reported geothermal heating as one of the most efficient, cost-effective and long-lasting home heating systems available today. You can expect to recoup your investment in just five to eight years, only one-tenth the typical warranty period on the underground portion of your system.
Solar Power
Roof-mounted solar collectors convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used to heat, cool and light your home. Unfortunately, this can only convert about 10 percent of sunlight into energy. The high cost of solar collectors and less efficient operation means you won’t recoup your investment for about 12 to 15 years.
Wind Energy
Where there’s sufficient wind, this green heating alternative can generate enough energy to heat your home. Wind turbines don’t need to be huge to work effectively. In fact, you can even bolt some to your own roof. Unfortunately, you’ll need a backup energy source for heat when the weather is calm.
Wood Stoves
New wood-burning stoves provide nearly complete combustion for reduced smoke and ash. If you have access to free wood, this green heating alternative is very cost effective. Unfortunately, stoves are more labor-intensive than other options, requiring frequent cleaning to remain functional.
To learn more about the benefits of green heating alternatives, contact Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We’ve been serving Springfield and the surrounding areas since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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