How to Go Green With Your Home Heating System

These days everything around us reminds us to be conscious of the world we live in.  Reports on climate change, diminishing world food supply, and damage to our ozone layer - what more warning signs do we need before we do our part to save the environment.

I say we start at home.  Though eco-friendly home heating systems may cost more, they come out cheaper in the long run and definitely more energy-efficient.  The biggest plus is you can be a good vanguard of the Earth while enjoying the benefits of the latest home heating systems.  You can get started with these earth-friendly home heating ideas.

Adjust or get programmable thermostat.  You can set the temperature according to times of the day, so you are not wasting energy when you are not home or you are asleep.  For every degree you lower your thermostat, you save a considerable amount of energy use.

Power your home with solar/photovoltaic panels.  This may be costly to begin with but is likely to be beneficial in the end.  Solar panels can capture sunlight into energy which in turn can heat water.  The PV system needs no refueling, does not emit pollution and does not produce noise and is easy to maintain.

Warm your home with biofuels.  For going green stalwarts, a perfect alternative to heat the home is through the use of biofuels.  Biofuels are derived from recent compost.  They reduce pollution from burning.Install a radiant heating system.  Although this may be expensive and involve some home renovations; opting for a radiant heating system is known to cut electricity bills to as much as forty percent. 

Radiant heating can be placed under carpets or ceramic tiles.  Since heat rises, radiant heating adequately warms up an enclosed space without having to adjust the thermostat.Invest in space heaters. 

Space heaters surround a room with added warmth at a fraction of the cost of oil or gas.  They are recommended for places where central heating is not practical.

Go for double-paned windows.  Windows account for much heat loss especially old windows.  Upgrade to double-paned windows.  They have low emissive coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss.  Others help reflect heat back to the room during winter. 

Choose wood stove and wood stove alternatives.  In early times, a wood burning stove is traditionally used to heat up the home.  It is even more effective than a fireplace.  Nowadays, the pellet stove is gaining popularity.  Pellets which are made from compressed sawdust or wood chips have replaced fossil fuels.  Pellets can also be burned to heat water.Set up a ground source heat system. 

A ground source heat pump taps water from underground into the home to provide central heating and in some instances heat water too.  A heat pump is generally powered by electricity and for every unit of electricity consumed to pump heat, three to four units of heat are produced.

Use the fireplace.  Gather wood scraps to make fire or better yet install a fireplace insert made from steel plates, cast iron and glass to make your fireplace airtight and more efficient.

Seal out the cold.  Get rid of drafts around the windows, doors, baseboards and outside wall openings.  Apply weather stripping, caulk or expanded foam to sea air leaks.