5 Green Heating Options

We all know how expensive it is to heat the house in winter and how many toxic emissions are generated by the generation of electricity that we demand it.

In this context, it is good to know that we can obtain various ecological, non-polluting heating options on the market that also lower electricity bills.

Sustainable Heating Alternatives

Solar Thermal Energy Solar Panels

Solar panels have the appropriate technology to transform solar radiation into heat necessary to produce domestic hot water.

Although they are widespread among single-family homes, they are increasingly used in industries and shopping centers.

The installation of this ecological heating option requires specialized labor to integrate the plumbing. In this way, we can enjoy hot water in the shower, sink, washing machine and dishwasher.

Photovoltaic Energy Photovoltaic Plates

Both ecological heating options, solar and photovoltaic, take advantage of the sun’s energy. However, photovoltaic panels have the necessary technology to generate electricity.

Initially, these ecological heating options were used to produce DHW and electricity in areas where the general network is not available. But over time its use has been extended to urban areas.

According to experts, between 20 and 25 m2 of photovoltaic panels are necessary to supply electricity to a standard family; With this, you will obtain between 30 and 50% savings on the electricity bill.

Radiating floor

Among the different ecological heating options, underfloor heating is my favorite, I will tell you why.

Against it, I will say that an ecological heating option requires work both on the hydraulic radiant floor and on the electric radiant floor.

Hydraulic Radiant Floor

It involves the installation of PVC, iron, or copper pipes below the ground, through which domestic hot water circulates.

Additionally, hot water must be obtained by solar panels or a boiler. With the support of a heat pump, this system can also lower the temperature of the soil and cool it down during the summer.

It is the type of underfloor heating that requires more work its installation by a professional workforce is recommended. Atmaterialcalefaccion.com you will find a good number of products for underfloor heating and other heating materials in general.

Electric underfloor heating

It consists of the arrangement of electrical wires that, when heated, transmit heat to the floor, be it ceramic or wood.

Its installation requires an independent circuit and it has the advantage of being able to be controlled by programmers, thermostats, etc.

It is a practical ecological option to the extent that we can draw on the electricity generated by photovoltaic panels and in countries where this type of energy is not limited, as is the case in the United States.

Despite this, although we take electricity from the general network to power the underfloor heating, it is still an efficient option because the time it is switched on and the temperature with which we feel comfortable can be programmed.

Its installation is simple, even one can do it with a little help. It is possible to place it during a floor reform or change of parquet, for example.

According to experts, the m2 of electric underfloor heating is around 40/m2, while the cost per m2 of hydraulic underfloor heating would be between 50 and 75 dollars.

Biomass

Biomass is composed of organic residues of animal or vegetable origin, such as:

These residues are transformed, through mechanical, thermochemical, and biological processes, into bioenergy, that is, into products capable of generating electricity such as biogas.

Similarly, biomass can be converted into heat by burning pellets, shells, and chips in biomass boilers for single-family homes, hospitals, buildings, or entire municipalities.

In turn, biodiesel and bioethanol (car fuels), and biokerosene for aircraft can be produced.

Biomass Boilers

They are industrial equipment manufactured for the combustion of various types of biomass to produce heat for heating and DHW.

Biomass boilers are associated with the type of biomass they burn. The most common are pellet boilers designed with medium power, sufficient for domestic use.

With greater power, for industrial use, there are multi-fuel boilers that can generate heat from various biofuels such as pellets, olive or peach pits, almond, pine, or pistachio shells, and wood chips, among others.

At the same time, we can find wood stoves, a substitute for the traditional fireplace, they present an aesthetically careful design so they are oriented towards domestic use and limited spaces.

In these ecological heating options there are other aspects that we must assess (in addition to the price):

Availability of biofuels that we have available close to home and the space we have to store it.

Frequency of the maintenance routine, if it is self-cleaning or not.

Some pellet boilers admit other biofuels, this is convenient to ensure the supply of fuel.

Environmental Advantages of Biomass Use

The environmental benefits of biomass are undeniable.

It’s Sustainable

Biomass includes renewable elements.

It is cheap

Pellets and other biofuels are cheaper than diesel and gas. In addition, their prices are usually more stable.

They do not pollute

They emit neutral CO2 as they burn natural fuels. They also decrease the emission of sulfur and similar particles.

Recycling waste

Biomass results from the recycling of solid and liquid organic waste. In turn, the ash obtained from biomass combustion serves as fertilizer for plants.

Fewer Fires

Recycling forest and agricultural residues for biomass reduce the risk of forest fires. Waste collection cleans the forest.

These five ecological heating options offer environmental and economic benefits. Any of them can be adapted to our air conditioning needs:

• Solar panels
• Photovoltaic panels
• Hydraulic underfloor heating
• Electric underfloor heating
• Biomass boilers