A look at green heating methods for your home

Many people want to be able to use environmentally friendly methods to heat their home but are not sure which technologies fall into this category or how to choose the method that is right for them. Here is a look at exactly what a “green heating method” is, as well as some of the more common methods that may fall into this category.

What makes certain heating methods environmentally friendly?
There are several reasons why a particular heating method may be considered to be environmentally friendly. It may use energy to heat a home very efficiently. It may also use fuel that does not release more carbon into the air than was absorbed while the fuel was being produced. A good example of this is wood. As a tree grows, it absorbs carbon from the air. It will only release an amount of carbon that is equal to that absorbed by a tree while it was growing. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, do not absorb carbon while they are being produced and will emit large amounts of carbon when being burned as heating fuel.

Some green methods of heating your home can include:

Passive and Active Solar Heating systems
Solar energy is a viable way to heat your home even if you do not live in an area that receives massive amounts of sunlight each day. Passive solar homes are usually positioned in such a way that they take maximum advantage of natural sunlight. They are fitted with large, energy efficient windows that are capable of holding heat in. Active solar heat will use solar panels to heat water that is then circulated through a boiler or through radiant heating systems.

Pellet Stoves and Boilers
There are stoves and boilers on the market that use wood pellets as a biomass fuel source. The fuel is carbon neutral, and is inexpensive, renewable and readily available. Boilers heat water that will then run through radiators or through a radiant heating system. Pellet stoves can heat a room directly or through a series of ducts like a traditional forced-air furnace.

Geothermal heating systems
These use the residual heat that is found in the earth to heat a home. Fluid is exposed to the heat that is naturally present in the earth and then pumped back into a home to heat it. Heat can also be obtained from water as well. These systems use a heat exchanger to transfer the heat into a home and fans to move the heat throughout the home.

Speaking with a qualified professional about your own heating needs may be the best way to find the right method for you.