Although, few focus on energy and/or energy use when looking for their homes, since for most people, their home represents their single largest financial asset, the better one understands all the issues relevant, the better. results. There are many different options, in most areas, for how we will create heat and electricity, and this article will attempt to briefly identify, review, and discuss 5 different alternatives and some of the positives and negatives of each option and/or choice. Factors to consider often include cost, environmental, effectiveness/efficiency, etc. and availability in a specific geographic region, as well as heating and cooling needs, depending on geographic and temperature considerations.
1. Oil heat: Living in the Northeast, many houses are heated with oil. Oil heat varies with changing costs, some predictable while often not! This is often addressed, when an owner commits to a particular oil delivery company and, in exchange for committing to automatic deliveries, is guaranteed a price ceiling, which protects you against too dramatic a cost. However, obviously, when there are colder winters, more oil is used and therefore costs increase. Some agree with a Balanced billing plan, where they pay a predictable and constant monthly fee. This form of heating is reliable, but requires burner and boiler maintenance, and the smart homeowner has a maintenance contract to ensure service, in an emergency. The older heating systems were often quite noisy, but the newer ones are much quieter and generally more efficient!
2. Gas heating and cooking: When you heat your home, with gas, you take the worry out of on-time delivery. Sometimes this is a less expensive form of heating, while other times it is not! Gas is not available everywhere, and when it is available, it can also be used for heating water (hot water tank), cooking, and clothes dryers, but, when it is not available, many use propane, for the other purposes, as well as, for the heat!
3. Geothermal: In recent decades another alternative has been discovered, known as geothermal. This form is created, stored and produced, on earth, taking advantage of the thermal characteristics, in the earth. It uses a heat pump, to generate energy, etc.
Four. Solar: There are many types of solar systems, but often the greatest need is the location of the property, the amount of average daily sunlight, and whether there are predominantly south-facing and relatively unobstructed opportunities. Recently, for example, Elan Musk’s company quickly assisted the victims of the hurricane in Puerto Rico, installing solar roofs, particularly in schools and hospitals. In some areas, when you produce more energy than you use, you are allowed to sell the excess to the utility.
5. Other shapes and combinations: Some owners choose burning wood systems, and while relatively inexpensive, it generally requires more effort to maintain the source. In other circumstances, people decide to use a split system, using one power source for a specific purpose and another/others for other purposes. For example, in my house, we heat with oil, but our Hot Water Tank is heated with gas, just like our cooking fuel, and clothes dryers. This way, while our water and washing needs are year-round needs, we don’t need to use our oil system, when temperatures are higher, for a significant period of the year.
There is no single best way to address your home’s energy needs. Each owner must consider many factors, including personal preferences, convenience, and needs, and make the best decision for them!