Alternative heating sources for a private home

Due to regularly increasing heating tariffs, the use of alternative energy sources in heating systems is becoming more popular every day. In some cases, this type of heating is the only solution.

Alternative heating is relevant when:

The task is to reduce the cost of heating and hot water preparation
No gas connection possible
Gas supply interruptions

Read also: How to choose a heat pump for heating?

Heat pumps

Application heat pumps as a source of heat supply, it is very common, since with their help it is possible to provide housing with both heating and hot water supply. Such heat generators use consumed electricity much more efficiently than electric boilers and operate using renewable resources: soil, air, water. It is worth noting that for the heat pump to fully operate, an uninterrupted supply of electricity is required.

Solar collectors

Solar collectors are used to heat water for domestic hot water needs in the summer, to heat water in swimming pools and to support the heating system during the heating season. These devices collect solar energy and convert it into heat. This process, with the subsequent transfer of heat to the coolant, occurs thanks to a special coating capable of absorbing solar energy - an “absorber”. The coolant heats up, after which it transfers the accumulated heat to the storage tank for subsequent use in the heating system.

Solid fuel boilers

These heating devices have high heat output. Such devices are capable of providing the room with hot water supply. The fuel used is coal, briquettes, granulated peat, firewood, pellets, etc. When choosing a solid fuel boiler, you should pay attention to the material of the heat exchanger, as well as the size of the loading hole and the volume of the combustion chamber, which determine the duration of operation of one fuel load. The main advantages of solid fuel boilers are their low cost and long service life. Among the disadvantages, we note the high cost of fuel and the need for additional space for fuel storage.

Wind generators

Windmills are devices that convert wind energy into electrical energy. The wind enters the turbine, the turbine rotates, thereby generating energy. The design of such devices is quite simple and consists of a wind wheel with blades, a boost gearbox, a charge controller, an inverter mast and batteries. In order to correctly calculate the required power of a wind generator, it is necessary to know the area of the room and the efficiency of the wind turbine turbine.

Infrared heaters

These heating devices transfer thermal energy to objects, which, when heated, release the resulting heat into the surrounding space. Most often they are used if there is a need to heat part of the room or people who work outdoors. Based on the installation method, there are floor, wall and ceiling infrared heaters. Such devices are inexpensive and easy to install.