Turning Colder

[Chuck]

With the weather turning colder I thought I would poll to find out what people use to primarily heat their homes.

If you had a choice of an alternative what would it be.

[dlphelps]

explaining vote:

least I think it is. Maintenence comes in twice a year and sets
some valves in a "closet" from which strange noises emanate sometimes.
Told me it was to "keep the heat and A/C from fighting." Whole thing
in that closet, has the water heater (which is gas) and a "AquaTherm
fan coil unit." connected the the water heater.

[kcredden]

With the weather turning colder I thought I would poll to find out what people use to primarily heat their homes.

If you had a choice of an alternative what would it be.

The folks have geo-thermal, and it's been *NICE* and runs cheap. The only alternative would be a humidifer added to it, since it's electric. Also they need a small 2nd story HP unit to regulate the temp on the 2nd floor.

FYI, from one who spent 8 hellish years in 3 seperate 2 story houses. If you have 1 HP, on a 2 story home, be sure to put in a small 2nd story HP. NO matter what the installer says, 2nd stories are cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. So hot in fact, that my computers will NOT run. I've had to install window AC units in every house with a 2nd story level.

As an appraiser I also seen this in several homes. ONly ones with a small 2nd story HP unit or if they're lucky to get a big enough HP unit will the 2nd story temp be nearly equal.

Another tip. Gas is much warmer than electric. We have a gas space heater at the office in Vanceburg, and it's always toasty. The windows steam up badly too :\ Electric however, needs to be at least 4 degrees warmer to feel the same. What helps is a humidifier, which also cuts off the static build-up in winter too. The only disadvantage, is that the windows steam up badly.

Good post, Chuck. I was surpised to see how many geo-thermals are out there, considering the price.

[kybikertrash]

I have electric baseboard in my present home but we are considering building and we are in total agreement that any new house we build will have geo-thermal heat.

I have to say that my electric heaters keep my house warm and it really isn't as expensive as I thought it would be. With gas prices skyrocketing, I'm glad I don't heat with gas. I pay the bills at work where we have gas and the heating bills are astronomical.

My husband installed two gas wall heaters at my mother-in-law's and they put out so much moisture that the wallpaper was actually falling off the walls. Even tried a de-humidifyer to controll that, but it wasn't enough. Had to quit using them.

[kcredden]

I have electric baseboard in my present home but we are considering building and we are in total agreement that any new house we build will have geo-thermal heat.

I have to say that my electric heaters keep my house warm and it really isn't as expensive as I thought it would be. With gas prices skyrocketing, I'm glad I don't heat with gas. I pay the bills at work where we have gas and the heating bills are astronomical.

My husband installed two gas wall heaters at my mother-in-law's and they put out so much moisture that the wallpaper was actually falling off the walls. Even tried a de-humidifyer to controll that, but it wasn't enough. Had to quit using them.

You brought out something I had forgotten, but sort of suggest it on new houses. With the cost of gas/fuel oil going up, I think it'd be prudent to install baseboard heaters, or (I'm not sure if it's possible but...) installing an electric HP, forced air furnance, or such along with the gas/fuel oil. Which ever is cheaper in the season use that. I've been hearing all sorts fo complains on how much gas, and fuel oil is anymore.

Your post about the gas wall heaters was something I didn't know and I'm glad you said something! I'll keep that in mind. Just goes to show your never too old to learn :)

I'm thinking that the folks will need a small baseboard heater in their upper rooms now. (burr) I'm here now, working on their system, and it's C O L D!

[tkcomer]

My trailer is total electric. I was surprised when the bill was about the same as my other house. That house was tiny and was gas heat. The funny thing is the bathroom in this place. In the summer, you have to close the vent or the air will freeze you. In the winter, with the vent open, it does not get warm enough, so we have a little electric heater. Go figure.

[kybikertrash]

kcredden, I just came from Home Depot where I bought a Farenheat brand freestanding baseboard heater for my office. The box says it will heat 150 sq. ft. You just plug it in to an outlet and set it by the wall, no hardwiring or bolting necessary.

Since it's not attached to the wall I can just move it whenever the mood strikes me to rearrange the furniture and I don't have to worry whether the furniture is blocking the heater.

I'll let you know how it works. Price tag $119.00

[kcredden]

kcredden, I just came from Home Depot where I bought a Farenheat brand freestanding baseboard heater for my office. The box says it will heat 150 sq. ft. You just plug it in to an outlet and set it by the wall, no hardwiring or bolting necessary.

Thanks a million for this, KY. That's something I don't like about baseboard electric heat. You have to sacrifice a lot of space for just it. Do keep me up to date on this, for this computer room needs a minor amount of heat.

[KrisT]

My house and my parent's house has old radiator heat, and I love it because there is no air blowing dust around and creating static, and it stays pretty evenly warm (unless you have a draft...I have been sealing drafts for a couple years and have most of them fixed). The radiators run on gas, and we supplement in the unheated rooms (office and kitchen) with electric oil radiators...I love the mobility, and I can put my feet on them and get nice and toasty...and keep down the gas bill. I want to put a radiant floor in the office when I redo the floors there, since I have to put in new concrete anyway--my parents did their retirement home that way and love the warm floors (tiled, too!)

My husband has been investigating a "corn" stove...burns corn (at about $7 for 100 pounds)...seems real efficient, since a bag would last a week or two. I'll let you know what we learn about it as we get closer to needing it, and if anyone else knows much about them, please let me know.
KrisT

[kcredden]

My husband has been investigating a "corn" stove...burns corn (at about $7 for 100 pounds)...seems real efficient, since a bag would last a week or two. I'll let you know what we learn about it as we get closer to needing it, and if anyone else knows much about them, please let me know.
KrisT

I haven't heard of a corn stove, but pellet stoves. But anything that burns could be use for heat, so :). I'll see if I can't light a fire and see what comes out for you :)

Got lucky: Here's one web page that sells such: http://corngrill.com/

and here is a google page of listings. I noticed some of the pages isn't working, but should be some that do. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=corn+burning+stoves+heat&btnG=Google+Search

[Chuck]

Corn???? We must check this out...

[sweetangel]

Yes I agree it is very cold outside and It is cold enough for a nice big leather coat.