During the cold months of winter, most of us feel as if we are at the mercy of the utilities companies when it comes time to pay the heating bills each month. With volatile prices that fluctuate each month and seem to get worse and worse every year, keeping a home comfortable and warm has become a costly endeavor.
Because of that, some homeowners who are fed up with getting “bent over a barrel” by big oil companies have turned to alternative fuel sources to heat their homes. Some low cost heating solutions include being completely off grid with wood stoves, the affordable and renewable fuel of pellet stoves, and the efficient zone heating from gas inserts.
Go Off-Grid with Wood Stoves
Wood burning stoves aren’t just for rustic cabins anymore. These heating appliances now come in a variety of styles to fit into homes with both traditional and modern décor. Because of new EPA regulations, new wood stoves are now more efficient than ever and contribute very little – if any – particle pollution into the air.
The major benefit of wood stoves is that they can heat a home using only firewood and run entirely without an additional power source. This allows these wood stoves to be considered “off-grid,” as they require no electricity or gas and can run even during power outages from winter storms.
Go Green with Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves have begun rapidly increasing in popularity in recent years. These heating appliances can replicate the look and feel of a wood burning stove without the hassle and mess associated with chopping, hauling, seasoning, and storing firewood. Likewise, pellet stoves can be up to 15% more efficient than their wood burning counterparts.
Pellets are considered by some to be a green energy source because they are made of recycled materials such as sawdust and other small wood pieces that are normally discarded. While pellet stoves do need a small amount of electricity to operate their fans and hoppers, this monthly expense is relatively small, often averaging as little as $8 per month depending on the size of the stove and area it is heating.
Get Efficient Zone Heating from Gas Inserts
Zone heating is an excellent choice for homeowners who are tired of paying extremely high energy bills in the winter months. Rather than heating the whole house, zone heating allows you to control which rooms are being heated at certain times, creating significant savings by making sure only occupied rooms are receiving heat.
According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Association, “Studies indicate that zone heating solutions can provide energy savings of 20-40 percent.” Unlike a space heater, which are often clunky eyesores around the house and may pose as fire risks, gas inserts provide both warmth and ambiance to a room. With easy installation and little annual maintenance, they are an excellent option for homeowners looking to boost their monthly energy savings.
If you’re tired of being taken advantage of by the big oil and electricity companies, contact The Cozy Flame today to find out how a new heating appliance can save you money.