Are you ready for winter? Do you have an adequate heat source in place to carry you through the colder months of the year? Not only is a quality heating source important for your overall comfort, but it can also help ensure your pipes don’t freeze and ultimately burst.
Whole-home heating systems, such as heat pumps and furnaces, are the most efficient and effective ways to make sure your home maintains a comfortable temperature. However, there may be sometimes when the central heating system isn’t available. Some alternative heating options for you to use for short periods of time can be found here.
Space Heaters
This is considered one of the most common alternative heating methods. The smaller space heaters can be powered by an array of fuel sources, such as wood, oil, propane, gas or electricity. If you opt to use a space heater, be sure that you follow proper safety techniques. While these units can provide quite a bit of heat, there are some drawbacks of this option:
- They have to be monitored all the time
- Make sure the space heater is away from any flammable substance, such as fabric or paper
- Don’t allow the unit to run to long, which could cause them to overheat
Fireplace
There is nothing as nice as cozying up close to a lit fire during the colder months of the year. These can easily heat a room and create a romantic atmosphere. However, if you opt to heat your home by way of a fireplace, you need to adhere to a few safety rules. These include:
- Use a safe screen for catching debris and embers
- Be sure your damper is open when you have a fire in the fireplace
- Be sure your damper is closed when the fireplace is not in use
- Keep all types of flammable materials away from the fireplace
Never Use Your Oven
Experts recommend that you avoid using your stove or oven to heat your home. While this has been used as an alternative heating method by some people in the past, it can be extremely dangerous. Also, this method of heating your home is going to increase your heating costs, too.
It’s important to remember, that the best and most efficient way for you to heat your home and keep it comfortable throughout the colder months of the year is to have a whole-house heating system installed.
Call a Professional for Help
If you don’t have a central heating system installed in your home, then now is the time to make this investment. It will pay off in the long run, as it is an affordable, efficient option that is going to meet and exceed your needs.
If you do opt to use one of the alternative sources of heat listed here, make sure you do so safely. This will ensure that your home and family remain safe and sound throughout the colder months of the year.