The end of the year is here, and if you live in regions of the world that are cold this season, it’s time to get the heat going. But, of course, heat costs quite a bit during this period. With piling energy costs, some heating solutions will hit you where it hurts—right in the pocket.
Heating takes up a high percentage of our energy spending alongside cooling. And one of the many reasons heating can cost so much is because of inefficiency in maintaining the heat. So, how can you be more efficient in maintaining the heat in your home?
Well, you must consider all the avenues through which heat could leak from your home. First, consider the windows of your home. A single glass pane loses up to ten times the heat of an insulated wall. Simply covering the glass with curtains or blinds that reach the ground can prevent some of that heat from escaping.
Air leakage from windows, doors, and chimneys is another primary source of heat loss, and these leaks account for a quarter of all winter heat loss in homesteads.
You can avoid spending on high-heat heaters by ensuring your doors won’t let out any heat from small openings and your chimneys are sealed when not in use.
So, are you on the hunt for the right flexible heater that will cost less and deliver more? This article will discuss how to choose the best heater to serve you in this cold season. Let’s look at cheap, efficient, and flexible heaters.
Finding the Optimum Heater for Your Home
Now it’s time to find a heater; what are the best ones to consider? You will find that the different heating solutions have their own merits and demerits to consider. Your best choice will depend on what exactly you’re looking for.
1. Infrared Heaters
Our first pick will come across as quite expensive. But when you look more closely, you will find that they will cost you a lot less than most other heating solutions. This is because infrared heaters are very cost-effective and are known for being great medical heaters.
In fact, they are some of the best custom flexible heaters that the industry can offer you. But why exactly do they have this reputation? Because of their long-lasting heat, infrared heaters can keep your house warm while using less energy.
In addition, when an infrared heater heats your house, it penetrates deep into the fabric of your home, making the place seem warmer for much longer. But that’s only part of the story, for it turns out there is another big plus.
The heat from an infrared heater is easily re-radiated into every corner of your house, bringing it up to a uniform temperature. In contrast, convection-based heating systems might result in the infamous ‘hot ceiling, chilly floor’ problem.
Because infrared heat warms evenly, you will find that you may lower your thermostat by a few degrees and still feel quite comfortable. This means you don’t need a very high-heat heater and can save even more on cost.
2. Electric Heaters
In contrast to infrared medical heaters, electric heaters could be more cost-efficient in the long run. However, on the plus side, they are cheaper to buy, and they’re high-heat heaters. This combination means you should only get an electric heater when looking for a short-term heating solution.
Since they produce a lot of heat, they are suitable for large spaces, so that’s a plus if you have a large home. However, if you have a smaller house, you probably want a small portable electric heater.
Another great thing about these heaters is that some come with pre-installed fans. These fans help to spread the heat around more evenly, so you should get one of those types.
3. Wood Stoves and Hearths
Stoves and hearths are the cheapest and most cost-effective options for heating your home, as long as you can get some wood. Of course, we’re talking boatloads of wood here, and that’s one downside. The other is the smoke and the need to clean the fireplace constantly.
However, having a fire in your house is just something cozy and soothing. Furthermore, stove technology has advanced significantly in recent times. While open flames have a 10-15% energy efficiency, contemporary wood combustion heaters can be 65-75 percent efficient.
4. Central Heating Systems
Another alternative to these other flexible heaters is centralized heating, which is another good option for large spaces and complex houses. These systems allow you to manage the heat in each room conveniently; that way, you can heat each room by how much heat is best for it. There are two main types you’ll find:
- The ducted reverse-cycle AC systems and underfloor hydronic and electric heaters
- Ducted hydronic systems, which make use of heated water or gas systems, pump gas
The main downside, however, is that these systems are quite costly to install. However, they will save you a lot of money if you have a house with many rooms because you don’t have to buy a brand-new heater for each room.
5. Gas High-Heat Heaters
Gas heaters are another efficient and cost-effective choice for heating rooms, notably bigger ones. One thing to consider, however, is that you will need access to a gas supply to run one.
Another thing to note is that as the heater burns the gas, it emits carbon monoxide and other air pollutants. Because of this, many of these heaters are “flued,” which means they are connected to a pipe or chimney that directs pollutants outdoors.
The portable ones are usually not, though. So for these types, you will need proper ventilation when using them.
Finally, gas heaters are usually more expensive than electric heaters but are cheaper to run.
Final Thoughts
So, which of these heaters suits your needs best? As we have seen, each has its pros and cons, and you should choose the one that works best for you. However, one thing you should also consider is your living arrangement.
If you are a renter, we suggest you use portable heaters, as you can easily remove and relocate them. However, if you live on your property, we advise you to go for the non-portable one—but ensure you’re getting the best quality.
