What Could I Replace Home Heating Oil With?

The cost of home heating oil has surged dramatically over the past few heating seasons. Many families have seen their heating bill rise out of their reach, and some bills have even doubled in size. This is because the price of fuel oil has been steadily rising since 2002 and promises only to get higher.According to the US Energy Information Administration, heating a home this winter with home heating oil will cost American families approximately $1,500 for an average size home. This same organization has also predicted that cost of fuel oil per gallon will be $.30 or 6 % higher than last year.

To protect themselves against ridiculously high heating bills, many of the millions of consumers that use home heating oil are looking into alternative ways to heat their home. And what they are finding are some surprising, efficient and inexpensive ways that they can replace their traditional fuel oil furnace.

Before we look into the alternative energy sources that you can replace home heating oil with, it should be noted that upgrading to these alternate heat systems costs about the same as replacing your traditional heating system with a new traditional system but costs less to operate. This means that you could actually save money by changing your furnace. And if you need to replace your existing furnace anyway, there is really no reason not to purchase an alternative heating system.

Alternative Fuel Sources You May Not Have Thought Of

Corn, Grain, and Rye – These natural, plentiful fuel sources are ideal for replacing home heating oil. These fuel options burn hot and efficiently heat your home with minimal product usage. And as you probably already know, they are cheap to purchase. Growing your own heating fuel can reduce future home heating costs.

Wood, Wood pellets, and Coal – While these heating fuels are not new, the way we burn them is. Many of today’s wood stoves and furnaces are situated outdoors and pump heat into your home using your existing duct work. The new design allows burning larger wood pieces, reducing the need for frequent fire tending.

Water: Replacing your home heating oil furnace with a radiant water system is not only efficient but also cost-effective. These systems work by pumping heated water throughout a network of pipes installed in your home.

Solar energy: Using solar energy for your home’s energy needs can save you money on winter heating. Solar panels harvest and store solar energy, ensuring you don’t have to worry about lacking heat on cloudy winter days.

If consumption continues at the current rate, experts predict global oil depletion in the next 30 to 40 years. This means prices will continue to rise. Therefore, your traditional furnace will soon become obsolete. Now is the time to explore alternative home heating sources.