| It is no secret that home heating costs have | | | | Electric furnaces run the most efficiently. No |
| skyrocketed within the past decade. While no one | | | | electricity or energy is lost in turning energy into |
| can accurately predict how high the cost of | | | | heat. However, using electricity is not as |
| heating fuel and energy will climb, it is a good bet | | | | environmentally friendly as it may sound. Your |
| that it will steadily increase as time goes on. | | | | electricity may be generated at a coal-burning |
| Instead of fighting the energy and fuel companies, | | | | power plant. Furthermore, an electric furnace |
| it would be wise to choose a heating system that | | | | requires the use of a heat pump, which can be |
| can efficiently warm your house without costing | | | | very costly to have installed and electric heat |
| you excess money. | | | | pumps have a tendency to need replacement |
| Natural gas and propane heating systems provide | | | | sooner than their natural gas or oil counterparts. |
| odorless, clean heat. While the price of fuel seems | | | | Wood is always an option, and for many older |
| to ride a rollercoaster, a modern and efficient | | | | homes or homes in largely wooded areas, wood |
| furnace can effectively utilize the high-priced fuel | | | | is the first source of heat. While wood is the |
| in order to give you a great deal of warmth with | | | | cheapest heating option, it is not always best. |
| very little energy spent. Modern gas furnaces | | | | Wood smoke can be dangerous if it is leaked into |
| vent directly outdoors, eliminating the need for a | | | | your home. Installing a high-efficiency wood |
| chimney. | | | | burning stove or fireplace will ensure that you are |
| Oil is another traditional home heating fuel. Home | | | | safe from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide. |
| fuel oil provides good energy content with | | | | However, modern wood burning units are very |
| efficiency ratings of up to 85% with up-to-date | | | | expensive, not to mention the cost of wood or |
| equipment. If you are installing a new oil furnace in | | | | the time spent chopping wood. You'll also need |
| your house after having used a different method | | | | plenty of space to store your wood to be sure |
| of home heating, you will need to install a stainless | | | | you have enough for the cold season. |
| steel liner in your chimney. Older model oil | | | | No matter what option you choose to have heat |
| furnaces can be retrofitted to run more efficiently | | | | your home, make sure your doors and windows |
| by installing a flame retention head. Annual | | | | are sealed properly and your home is well |
| inspections and maintenance will also keep an older | | | | insulated. A well insulated home will block out the |
| oil furnace running properly and not unnecessarily | | | | cold air and keep your heat inside longer. Be sure |
| running too hard. Oil can also be used to heat hot | | | | to set your thermostat at a comfortable |
| water tanks and can be used for in-floor heating. | | | | temperature without having to over run your |
| Again, the cost of oil is unpredictable and you will | | | | furnace. Leave your temperature set without too |
| need to have a storage tank located somewhere | | | | much variation in order to keep your unit running |
| on your property, close to the house. Oil furnaces | | | | efficiently and saving you money on your energy |
| typically will last longer than a natural gas furnace, | | | | bills. |
| and are priced significantly lower. | | | | |