In these economically uncertain times, every household is trying to reduce its costs without sacrificing quality of life. The heating system in the house can have a big impact on the family budget, so the choice is often difficult. The heating system should be efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long term. We give you an overview of the current heating systems, which can help you make your decision.
The traditional open fireplace is central to many households. Although it has a relatively low efficiency compared to other modern heating systems, it is particularly popular for the cozy atmosphere it creates in the home. The problem here is that a lot of the heat comes out through the chimney and regular cleaning and maintenance is necessary. But there is one advantage that is often overlooked - the owner of the house can reduce heating costs by determining the amount of coal, briquettes or wood. This means you can avoid surprisingly large bills.
DieBioethanol Kamineare the newest and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating systems. Instead of burning coal, wood or briquettes, they run on liquid bioethanol. They don't need a chimney and can stand freely on the floor in the living room. This feature distinguishes them from traditional fireplaces. Thanks to their lightweight construction, they can be easily moved around the room. Because the flame is open, it releases more heat into the room. The bioethanol fireplaces are universal, which means that they can be used indoors and outdoors. If you want to create the atmosphere of a traditional fire pit, you can also mount it on the wall.
The fireplace with hotplate has retained its old-fashioned charm. This stove is a multifunctional device that can be used for cooking or heating water while also warming the home. These ovens can run on electricity or solid fuel. The design has been slightly modernized in recent years, allowing automatic switching on and off.
One of the most popular options for home and apartment owners with a strong environmental conscience is the use of wood pellets as a heat source. They are small sticks made from wood or sawmill byproducts. These boilers are among the most environmentally friendly solid fuel variants, with an efficiency of up to 90%. In terms of comfort and cleanliness, they are also easier to maintain and operate than traditional fireplaces. At the same time, the use of wood pellets leads to a reduction in greenhouse gases. Their only disadvantage is the higher investment when purchasing.
The modern radiators can easily be confused with a contemporary sculpture. A new trend is that these heaters are used not only as a source of heat, but also as an element of the interior. Many new models are now able to operate separately from the central heating system, meaning that even when it is turned off, they can warm the home.
While the air temperature varies greatly depending on the season, the earth's temperature varies between 10º and 20º C depending on the geographical latitude. Geothermal heat pumps use this relatively stable temperature as a source for heating the home in winter and cooling in summer. The ground heat is extracted through geothermal probes and pipes and released into the heating system in the house. In summer it is the other way around. Because geothermal heat pumps actually transport heat between the house and the ground, they work very cleanly and efficiently.
Underfloor heating is theoretically the most efficient method of body warming at home. The basic principle is that the warm air rises. And because the heat is released from the floor, this heating system can warm the room before the energy is released through the ceiling. The efficiency of other heaters is lower because they are higher in the air and the heat is lost more quickly. Difficult installation and high initial costs could be seen as disadvantages.
The technology of solar panels for home use has gained popularity in recent years and are widely used in private homes. They can be integrated on the roof of both new and existing houses. When they were first introduced to the market, solar panels were large and cumbersome items. But with new technologies, their thickness has reached 65 mm. Although they are not cheap, the solar panels could provide up to 70% of a household's annual hot water needs. Solar thermal systems are also an extremely environmentally friendly source of heat.
