As electricity cost continue to rise many people are looking for alternative to electrical heating, which can be very expensive. Until we find a way to us solar or wind power to effectively heat our homes we will need other alternative. The best current option is a gas or propane heater.
Both work well, the main difference is that propane is more portable and in most areas you can get gas service. Propane may be the only option if you live int the country or away from gas service.
You have a couple of options when looking at a gas heating system. There is the central heat system which uses a furnace often located in the basement. This is a great option for colder climates. There are two main problems with this system. One is that it is very expensive. An new furnace can cost up to $15,000 and require expensive installation. The second problem is that much of the heat is lost during the distribution.
Your next option is the space gas heater method. These can be floor standing models or wall mounted. They will run off of gas piping and create the heat in the area that it is needed. The benefit to this system is that no heat is lost in transmission and you can heat certain areas of the home. If you have a large home that you only use part of this can be a great option. Some of the drawbacks to this system are that if you require all of your home to be heated all of the time you will have to run numerous heaters. There is also the safety factor of having a heater in a room with potential combustibles and venting must be considered.
Out of the two systems the gas space heater system is much more economical but may not be suited to colder climates. Which ever direction you choose to take make sure that you consider the safety aspects and update your fire alarm system. Carbon monoxide detectors are suggested and many new homes come with them already installed. Fire safety is one of the most important things that you can teach your family. Every winter there are tragic stories about home fires, make sure that your family knows what to do in an emergency.
Gas heaters are the most economical way to keep warm during the winter, check yours to make sure it is adequate for your home.
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Topics: Heating and Air Conditioning