Home Heating Alternatives

Heating and Cooling Tips

Comparing Values of Various Heating Fuels

How Much Heat per Dollar?: If you are in the market for a home heating appliance, you will need to know how to compare the cost and value of different heating fuels. This bulletin explains the four variables you must use and which fuel provides the most heat for the fewest dollars. Includes heating fuel comparison chart and heating cost calculator.

Home Heating Safety: Fires and accidents caused by home heating equipment are largely preventable if you clean, maintain, and use equipment properly. Review general safety tips as well as those specific to electric and kerosene space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces, and heating emergencies.

Federal Tax Credits available on certain energy conservation items and alternative energy systems by EnergyStar

Wood heating (stick, pellet, outdoor furnace, etc.)

Corn and other potential grow your own energy sources

• Burning Shelled Corn as Fuel by Penn State University

Solar (heating: passive and active)

Kerosene

• Unvented Portable Kerosene Heaters by UMaine Extension

Geothermal (transferring heat stored in the earth)

• Heat Pump Systems by the US Department of Energy
• Geothermal Technologies Program: Geothermal Heat Pumps by the US Department of Energy

Space Heaters

• What You Should Know About Space Heaters Used for Supplemental Room Heating by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Emergency

• Staying Warm in an Unheated Home by UMaine Extension

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