Key Takeaways
- Some alternative heat sources are designed for short-term use during emergencies or power outages.
- In contrast, other alternative heat sources like heat pumps are long-term solutions in the battle against climate change.
- Renewable energy-based heating systems can help people achieve energy independence.
Central heating systems, such as gas furnaces and HVACs, are reliable ways to heat your home. But what happens when a power outage or other emergencies knock them out?
Alternative heating sources are fantastic backups when Mother Nature does its worst and cuts the power. They also offer homeowners a chance to reduce carbon emissions and battle global warming.
Home heating comes in many forms, some of which can even provide hot water. Here’s everything you need to know about alternative heating systems, from wood stoves to heat pumps.
Why Do We Need Alternative Heating Sources?
Alternative heating sources are needed mainly to prepare for emergencies, reduce energy bills, and save energy.
For example, if a storm causes a power outage, homeowners may be without heating and power for hours or days. Most appliances won’t work during a power outage, making keeping warm harder and more vital—a double whammy. Preparedness for power outages is critical.
And while current heating systems are convenient, alternative heating sources may be more energy-efficient in the long term. These alternatives may help reduce energy usage, saving energy and money simultaneously.
The good news is many alternative heating sources are affordable. Marry them with some simple DIY around the home, and your house will be better prepared for an emergency or long-term energy savings.
What Are Examples of Alternative Heating Sources?
First, let’s look at alternative heat sources for homes with traditional HVAC and electric heating systems. These systems fail during a power outage. Electric heaters, like space heaters, will not work in homes without power, nor will natural gas furnaces, which require electricity to power their components.
These situations demand an alternative heating source, such as a backup generator. Having a second line of defense is especially important for people in very cold or hot regions. Without heating or air conditioning, it can be dangerous to be without power in these zones during extreme weather, as intense heat or cold can kill.
Alternative Heating Sources: Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves usually burn biomass or wood pellets to warm homes. In essence, a pellet stove is like a freestanding space heater that heats one room. Larger models, with a rating of 42,000 British Thermal Units (Btu), can heat an entire 1,300-square-foot home and sometimes provide its hot water.
Pellet stoves can vent smoke through a chimney or exterior wall, while ventless models may be suitable for some smaller spaces. Some come with thermostats to control the temperature. Care must be taken to avoid a buildup of toxins through adequate venting.
Wood-burning stoves are similar to pellet stoves but use wood rather than pellets as a fuel source. A wood-burning cook stove has the added advantage of allowing homeowners to heat a room and cook food during power outages.
Some people use stoves to heat individual rooms or entire houses or as emergency backups.
What Is a Soapstone Heater?
A soapstone heater is a wood-burning stove made of soapstone. This natural material absorbs the fire’s heat and stores it. As the fire dampens, the retained heat in the soapstone releases gently into the atmosphere.
This heat-return system makes soapstone heaters particularly good at slow-release heat, which is particularly useful if the power outage lasts a while or to keep homes warm overnight.
Indoor Kerosene Heater vs. Propane Heater
These two portable space heaters offer similar heating styles, burning fuel to provide heat. Once in use, they both require careful usage to avoid buildups of deadly emissions. Ensure you have carbon monoxide detectors fitted before using these heaters.
Some states have banned unvented kerosene heaters, which use fuel oil to run. They require proper ventilation, shouldn’t be left on overnight, and should be kept away from children. They pose a fire risk if they are close to furniture or fabrics. However, they are best defined as excellent emergency heating systems that require careful use.
Propane heaters require similar care when in use, including ventilation to prevent oxygen depletion and proper storage of spare propane tanks. Kerosene heaters tend to give more heat, but propane offers cheaper fuel.
Like pellet and wood-burning stoves, these heaters are apt for homeowners looking to heat a room or two or during an emergency.
Are There Any Other Space Heaters?
Several other space heaters can act as alternative heating sources. These include:
- Catalytic heaters use chemical reactions to turn natural gas or propane into flameless heat in portable space heaters.
- Bioethanol fires burn biofuel to warm rooms. They don’t always need a vent but do need proper ventilation.
- Alcohol heaters are commonly used as cooking stoves, burning alcohol to produce heat. Still, they may also be used to heat rooms.
Calm Before the Storm: More Alternative Heat Sources
Many other alternative heat sources can improve a property’s ability to withstand a power outage or reduce its emissions from burning fossil fuels. They can even keep the lights on when the rest of the neighborhood is in the dark.
Some are simple tricks; others require investments or a bit of DIY.
Alternative Heat Sources and Renewable Energy
Solar energy is one of the leading renewable energy sources driving the transition to clean energy.
Installing solar panels at home means having access to electricity during the day. Add battery storage and solar energy can be saved for use at night. A solar hot water tank could also mean access to hot water, making a complete solar heating system. Some backup generators can even connect to solar panels.
Access to solar power means using appliances while the power outage is being repaired. The same access to power is possible with a small wind turbine or hydroelectricity system.
Passive solar heating also loves the sun. In the northern hemisphere, a south-facing home can absorb the sun’s radiant heat during the day, warming and storing it. Heat-absorbing building materials then help keep the property comfortable during the day and after sunset.
Heat Pumps as an Alternative Heating Source
There is an alternative heating system to HVACs and gas furnaces that also doubles as a replacement for air conditioning: the heat pump. This new heating system is at the forefront of long-term alternative heating sources.
Heat pumps can transfer the heat from the air, ground, or water into heat in a property. Ground and water-based heat pumps are also called geothermal heat pumps. They can even cool a home in summer. Mini-split heat pumps target heating and cooling to specific rooms or areas of a house, acting like space heaters.
Geothermal heat pumps require electricity to operate, so they would cut out during a power outage if only connected to the power grid. However, a heat pump can continue to heat or cool a home if powered by solar panels, a wind turbine, or a battery storage system.
All heat pumps, geothermal or air-source, require well-insulated homes for maximum energy efficiency. Those powered by renewable energy could keep you warm or cool during a power outage.
Power Outages: How to Keep Warm
Once you’ve chosen the most appropriate alternative heating source for your home, there are other straightforward steps to stay toasty during power outages.
To keep warm, choose one well-insulated room for everyone to stay in to maximize body warmth. DIY beforehand, weatherstripping windows and doors, sealing drafts, and insulating plumbing and water pipes. A thick rug on the floor reduces heat loss, as do thick curtains or drapes.
Keep blankets, sleeping bags, hand warmers, hats, and other warm clothing handy in case temperatures plummet. Test your backup heating option before an emergency, checking for ventilation if required and fitting carbon monoxide detectors.
How Do I Choose the Best Alternative Heating System for My Home?
The best alternative heating system depends on your home and the results you wish to achieve.
For example, the best alternative heating system for your home may be something to cover an emergency like a power outage. In that scenario, a backup generator or a single heating system like a pellet stove or propane burner may suit. Much depends on ventilation, room size, and the number of people living in the home. Get a professional energy audit to get tailored pointers.
In contrast, you may be looking for an overhaul of the entire heating system, switching from a gas furnace or HVAC to a clean system like a heat pump. An old house may struggle to meet insulation standards for a heat pump, whereas a newer build could be perfect. Again, an energy audit will give you ideas for the most suitable system.
Are There Any Safety Concerns Associated With Alternative Heating Sources?
Many alternative heating sources, like kerosene, propane, biofuel and alcohol burners, pellet stoves, and wood-burning stoves, burn fuels that emit dangerous toxins.
Appropriate ventilation, carbon monoxide detectors, and sometimes venting or chimneys are required to remove these potentially deadly toxins from rooms. Many of these heating systems should not be left on overnight or unattended. They also often carry an inherent fire risk, especially if placed close to furniture, curtains, or clothes.
Extra care needs to be taken when children or frail people are near what can be incredibly hot burners or stoves. Touching these alternative heating systems could result in life-changing burns.
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Using Alternative Heating Sources?
Many emergency alternative heating systems use fossil fuels, contributing to climate change. Long-term use will not help the environment.
That said, switching to an air-source or geothermal heat pump will bring long-term environmental benefits. When properly fitted and used, these heating systems produce very few greenhouse gas emissions. Heat pumps also bring increased energy efficiency thanks to the insulation required to function well.
Powering these heat pumps with a small wind turbine or solar panel array only increases a home’s green energy credentials.
Are There Incentives or Rebates for Installing Alternative Heating Systems?
Many tax credits and rebates exist for installing alternative heating systems, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and heat pumps. Related improvements, such as insulation, central air conditioners, window replacement, and water heaters, also carry financial incentives.
Federal and state incentives also exist, and some utilities also offer them. Contact them for more information.
The Two Faces of Alternative Heating Systems
Alternative heating systems can be a lifesaver in deep winter when there is a power outage, such as during the deadly 2021 winter storm in Texas. Many people need to plan for future power outages as climate change makes extreme weather events like the 2021 event more common.
Owning an emergency heater and using it properly may prove vital to survival. Alternative heating systems like stoves and burners, used appropriately and with sufficient fuel reserves, are a must in many regions, especially those that suffer extreme cold.
The second face of alternative heating systems is the long-term approach to keeping warm or cool. One day, traditional natural gas furnaces will be redundant as fossil fuel reserves run short. Power grids may struggle to cope with power surges during heat waves as people crank up the air conditioning and HVACs.
A heat pump, powered by renewable energy sources like solar panels or a wind turbine, alongside an energy-efficient home, provides low-emissions heating and even hot water. Heat pumps can even work during power outages if connected to a working renewable energy source or stored in a battery.
One thing for sure is that alternative heating systems will be part of the solution if we want to keep the heating and lights on during an outage or in our daily lives.
Brought to you by amigoenergy
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