Two Ways to Go Green with your Home Heating
You are to be commended for wanting to do your
part in saving the environment by going "green" when heating your
home. To truly understand the green heating concepts, you need to
understand the basic definition of "green" in terms of the
environment and related products. When a product like a heating
system is deemed "green," this means that there are no environmental
earth-based materials destroyed in the process. In terms of heating,
this means no trees were burned, no gas (fossil fuel) was used and
there is little to no pollutant by-products during utilization.
It is easy to see heating systems that use propane, oil and natural
gas are not green products since fossil fuels are the source of
energy. Anything that uses electricity is a bit more ambiguous as
some electric companies use fossil fuels to create energy but others
incorporate solar and wind power as well. In these cases, you can
likely choose which electricity source option you want. If you wish
to take matters into your own hands and choose a green way to heat
your home, consider these two options:
1. Geothermal heat – The basic concept behind geothermal heating
systems lies in harnessing the earth's natural heat and translating
into energy that can heat or even cool your home. Pipes for this
type of heating system run a few feet below ground level where
temperatures are warmer than what may be outside. There are two
types of pipes that could be used – one uses groundwater sources
while the other uses a combination of water and antifreeze coolant.
The water or antifreeze solution circulates through the pipes
harnessing the heat from the earth, using the water as a conduit to
transfer the heat to your home.
The only environmental upset to geothermal heating is digging into
the earth to place piping for the system. No products such as wood
or fossil fuels are used in the process of heating the home.
Geothermal heating systems can last for years with little
maintenance, making it a green and efficient heat energy source.
2. Solar heat – Before solar energy was the "in" thing, it was quite
an expensive endeavor to incorporate it into any part of your home's
energy. With the 21st century brings a more affordable solar
solution, attainable by many homeowners. Solar panels harness the
sun's energy, store it and then transfer it to special equipment
which then translates it into energy that can be used for
electricity and heating. While the initial cost outlay can be a bit
expensive, in the long run it will pay off in lower energy bills and
overall clean energy that is environmentally friendly.
While there are other environmentally friendly heating options in
the works, geothermal and solar heat are two viable options put into
practice right now. If you are building a new home or have a
generous budget for revamping your home, consider these heating
options and become a "greenie."
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube