The winter months are upon us, which means that for most households around the country, heating bills are about to roll into their bank accounts. Fortunately, there are different types of heating solutions available to homeowners these days, and knowing what they are and how they work can help you choose the one that will suit your needs best.
1. Boilers
Most homes in the UK use a boiler to heat their water. Boilers create hot steam that’s pumped through your home via radiators, and it makes the air nice and warm on cold days. Of course, the boilers themselves are powered by electricity, which is why it’s always important to compare the free nights and weekends electricity plans different power companies offer in order to save the most money possible. Boilers are a great option for homeowners that need high heating capacity, and they’re also much less expensive than other types of solutions. To ensure your boiler runs smoothly and to avoid unexpected expenses, it’s wise to invest in a reliable boiler cover in the UK. A boiler cover helps protect against the cost of breakdowns, repairs, and annual servicing, giving you peace of mind throughout the year.
Whether you live in a colder climate or simply prefer a cozy home, a boiler is definitely worth considering. So if you live somewhere where it can get colder out, or if you simply like to get cozy when it’s chilly, a boiler is definitely an option to consider.
2. Electric Space Heaters
Electric space heaters are the most common electric heating solution out there. They’re small and portable, and they can be used to warm up a room or an individual space within your home. Some space heaters offer multiple settings for different amounts of warmth. While they are pretty affordable to buy, they tend to eat up a lot of energy, which means you’ll be paying more on your electricity bill. They can be a good solution for people who live in well-insulated homes, and in areas that don’t get too cold during the year. In essence – if you just need something to warm up the place for a few days a year – insulating your home and getting an electric space heater could be the way to go. However, if it regularly gets below freezing outdoors, you’ll likely need a different solution.
3. Furnaces
Furnaces are a good option for people who live in homes that need to be heated all year round. In fact, many homeowners use furnaces as their main heating solution throughout the year and rely on other additional methods to heat their home during particularly cold days or nights. When your furnace kicks into gear, it heats the air inside the house and then pushes the warmer air out through vents. Furnaces can be fueled by both electricity and gas, depending on the model you choose. They’re usually a little more expensive to install than other types of solutions, but they do use less energy overall. In essence – if your home needs to be heated all year round, a furnace is definitely a good choice.
4. Wood-Burning Stoves
Wood-burning stoves are a great way to heat up the entire house, as they produce a lot of heat energy and can warm up even large rooms. In addition to being an environmentally friendly solution, wood-burning stoves also have the benefit of being very inexpensive on both your monthly heating bill and your wallet. The downside? Wood-burning stoves are much harder to install, and the necessary chimney installation costs money in addition to requiring a lot of work on behalf of the homeowner. If you want an alternative heating solution that’s inexpensive and easy for you to maintain – a wood-burning stove is definitely something to consider. However, if you plan on moving out of your home in the next couple of years, then it might be best to look for a solution that doesn’t require as much when it comes to the upfront costs.
5. Gas Home Heating
Gas home heating is a great option for homeowners who live in areas with cold winters. Gas heating works by having a furnace work together with your boiler so that the warm air can be pushed through your home without using electricity. Of course, gas heating also comes at a price – it’s more expensive than other solutions. However, it’s also more efficient, and it gives you the option of using a wood-burning stove together with other heating sources for an even cheaper solution. In essence – gas heating is definitely worth considering if you want to heat up your home quickly and efficiently during cold winter months. That said, if you’re looking for something that will keep your house warm throughout the year, you might want to consider a more affordable option.
6. Radiant Floor Heat
Radiant floor heat is a good option for people who want to go all-out when it comes to heating up their homes. This efficient heating solution works by pushing hot water through the tubing installed under your floors, and letting it rise to the surface – warming up your entire house from below. Of course, the downside of radiant heat is that it’s a very expensive heating solution and one that can also be difficult to maintain. In addition, radiant heat isn’t the most efficient option when it comes to energy conservation – you’ll still end up paying a lot for your monthly bill even if you don’t overdo it with your thermostat. In short – radiant floor heating is a luxurious solution to consider, but it’s usually only worth the money for people who really want to go all-out when it comes to heating their homes.
7. Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are basically two-way air conditioners. However, instead of cooling your home, they heat the outside air and push it inside your home. This is a good option for people that live in warmer climates where they don’t need to keep the heat pump on for more than a few hours a day. Because they’re great at conserving energy, heat pumps are also a good alternative for people who use other heating sources like gas or oil to heat their homes. However, heat pumps aren’t typically built to withstand extreme temperatures. If your area sees a lot of snow or ice, then a heat pump might simply stop working due to the cold. Obviously, that could live you in a very undesirable situation, so it’s important to consider that before purchasing a heat pump.
In a nutshell – there are many different types of heating solutions available to homeowners, from those that use electricity to those that don’t. Since most of these option uses electricity, it’s always important to make sure that you’re using energy-efficient heating solutions to avoid spending too much money on your monthly heating bill. In addition, if you live in a colder climate, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of ice or snow damage – heat pumps and stoves aren’t usually built to withstand the cold.