Your Heating Options When Cold Weather Strikes

Cold weather is something that everyone should be prepared for, because the cost of not being prepared for it can prove to be rather high. In most cases, home owners rely on their heating systems to keep the entire family warm and comfortable. But what if your heating system breaks down, and can’t be repaired in time for the advent of freezing temperatures? Fortunately, there are other heating options available to you in case something like that happens.

However, before settling on any one choice, there are a number of factors that you have to take into consideration first. The size of the heating system you want is one of those factors. Are you heating the entire house, or just one room? Do you have a working heating system, but you just want a little extra heating to keep your toes warmer on a cold, cold night?

Once you’ve taken the above factors into consideration, only then should you make your choice. As for your heating options, here are some that should help you get started.

Electric Baseboard Heaters

If the area you want to heat is no bigger than a small room, an electric baseboard heater will do just fine. Simple and affordable, an electric baseboard heater makes for an excellent secondary heat source. It operates silently, and does not blow air and other pollutants around the room, which makes it a great choice for people with allergies.

Infra Red Heaters

An infra red heater works by heating the fabric and objects within a room. By objects, we mean furniture, walls and people. A relatively recent technology, infra red heaters are proving to be quite efficient, especially if you buy far infra red heaters, which use approximately 30% less wattage than other types of heaters. They are easy to install, and even easier to clean. Like electric baseboard heaters, they are good for heating small rooms.

Portable Gas Heaters

If the area you want heated is larger and well-ventilated, the best choice would be a portable gas heater. This type of heater is perfect for heating a garage or any other area outside your home. They use a variety of fuels, including propane, kerosene and natural gas. If you have to use one indoors, we recommend that you buy vented gas heaters and not unvented ones. That’s because unvented portable gas heaters can introduce harmful gases to your home. Vented gas heaters are the safe ones for indoor use, because they are designed to be placed next to a wall with a vent installed in the wall or ceiling that directs exhaust gases to the outside of the home.

When exploring other heating options for your home, it’s always best to get the opinion of a professional. An expert in heating and air conditioning systems can give you valuable advice, which will undoubtedly help you make the right choice and help your home get ready for when cold weather sets in.