Alternative Ways of Heating
Keith Barrett asked:
The ability to heat our own homes is one of the very basic necessities of modern living. We think of it as being central to our existence, much like the need for shelter or for running water. There are plenty of options when it comes to heating your home.
In this article we take a look at some of the most common ways of providing heat. It’s an overview of the methods that people use, as well as an examination of how tastes and fashions change.
The most basic form of heating and the earliest is the good old open fire. Used throughout the centuries, the open fire is a basic and yet effective way of heating a room.
In terms of use in the home, an open fire obviously requires a source of fuel and somewhere for the smoke that is produced to escape. The latter is most often dealt with by using a chimney.
Fuel sources can vary, with wood and coal being the most common, although peat can also be used. Wood seems to be the most popular for many at the moment, probably because it is a clean option and is also easy to get hold of.
There’s no doubt that open fires have made a comeback in terms of popularity – many home owners like the fact that they can provide a real focal point for a room.
If you can’t have an open fire, then there are some good gas and electric fire alternatives. The latest electric fires have certainly improved considerably from earlier versions, particularly in the way in which they can mimic natural flames.
All of these options are appearing more frequently in houses, being seen as good selling points by many.
What about the most common option for people living in the developed world? We are, of course, talking about central heating. Whether provided by gas, electricity or oil, central heating has been great for many people.
Simple to maintain and often providing instant heating, it’s no surprise that it is installed as standard in most newly constructed properties. Some people do, however, have concerns about having radiators throughout their homes, while others worry about cost.
One option that you might consider would be to make us of a range of heat sources. So you might, for instance, make use of central heating to heat most of your home but have a fire in the living room to act as a feature and ensure that you don’t need a radiator in that room.
Don’t get drawn into limiting your thinking when it comes to heating. There are plenty of options and a little flexibility can go a long way.
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The ability to heat our own homes is one of the very basic necessities of modern living. We think of it as being central to our existence, much like the need for shelter or for running water. There are plenty of options when it comes to heating your home.
In this article we take a look at some of the most common ways of providing heat. It’s an overview of the methods that people use, as well as an examination of how tastes and fashions change.
The most basic form of heating and the earliest is the good old open fire. Used throughout the centuries, the open fire is a basic and yet effective way of heating a room.
In terms of use in the home, an open fire obviously requires a source of fuel and somewhere for the smoke that is produced to escape. The latter is most often dealt with by using a chimney.
Fuel sources can vary, with wood and coal being the most common, although peat can also be used. Wood seems to be the most popular for many at the moment, probably because it is a clean option and is also easy to get hold of.
There’s no doubt that open fires have made a comeback in terms of popularity – many home owners like the fact that they can provide a real focal point for a room.
If you can’t have an open fire, then there are some good gas and electric fire alternatives. The latest electric fires have certainly improved considerably from earlier versions, particularly in the way in which they can mimic natural flames.
All of these options are appearing more frequently in houses, being seen as good selling points by many.
What about the most common option for people living in the developed world? We are, of course, talking about central heating. Whether provided by gas, electricity or oil, central heating has been great for many people.
Simple to maintain and often providing instant heating, it’s no surprise that it is installed as standard in most newly constructed properties. Some people do, however, have concerns about having radiators throughout their homes, while others worry about cost.
One option that you might consider would be to make us of a range of heat sources. So you might, for instance, make use of central heating to heat most of your home but have a fire in the living room to act as a feature and ensure that you don’t need a radiator in that room.
Don’t get drawn into limiting your thinking when it comes to heating. There are plenty of options and a little flexibility can go a long way.
