MOST ECONOMICAL HEATING SYSTEM: HOW TO CHOOSE?
The first step in determining the most economical heating system is to understand exactly what your needs are, which depends not only on the area of the country where you live, but also on the area you want to heat.
If, for example, your home is cold in winter and hot in summer, the best solution may be to install air conditioning. And if you live in a stone house in Trás-os-Montes, you will certainly have different needs than someone who lives in an apartment in the Algarve.
That is why there are online simulators, such as Deco's, which present you with a questionnaire and, based on your answers, indicate the most suitable solution for your specific case. Some heating system manufacturers also offer this type of tool on their websites.
So, in addition to the region where you live, to choose the most economical heating system, you will need to take into account factors such as the type of house (apartment or detached house), the age of the property, and the level of insulation (walls, doors, and windows).
Then, you will need to think about the area to be heated, i.e., whether you want to heat the whole house or, for example, just the bedrooms. And, of course, you have to take into account how much you want to spend.
Before choosing, there are six things to consider:
- The area of the country where you live
- The time of year when you need air conditioning (summer, winter, or both)
- Type of housing (apartment or house)
- Area and number of rooms to be heated
- Level of insulation in the home
- Available budget
- After carefully considering your needs and available budget, you will be in a better position to decide which option is most suitable. There are various types of solutions available at all price points.
- A fan heater, for example, is cheaper than a wood-burning stove, but they also serve different purposes.
9 OPTIONS FOR HEATING YOUR HOME
All systems have pros and cons. Choosing the most economical heating system means knowing what is available, comparing prices, and evaluating the advantages.
Regardless of your choice, always think about safety. For example, you should not place heaters near curtains. Keep your air conditioning filters clean and pay special attention to air flow when using wood-burning stoves.
Let's take a look at the main features of each heating system.
1 - Air conditioning
The great advantage of air conditioning is that it can be used to heat your home on cold winter days, but it also keeps your home cooler in summer. The latest models are more economical and environmentally friendly. Some devices have the disadvantage of being confined to one room. However, there are multi-split options that allow installation in various parts of the house. Prices vary widely, but the initial investment, in the order of a few hundred euros, pays for itself through energy savings.
With this option, you also have to factor in installation and maintenance costs.
2 - Oil heater
It is cheaper and more practical, as it can be moved from one room to another. There are no installation costs, as you just need to plug it in, but the big disadvantage is energy consumption. To avoid a shock when you receive your electricity bill, it is best to choose the most energy-efficient model and avoid keeping the heater on all night. They do not spread heat, so they are suitable for smaller rooms. You can find oil heaters starting at $30.
3 - Gas heater
A little more expensive than the oil heater, costing around €100, but with the advantage of heating larger areas. They run on a gas cylinder, so they must be placed in a well-ventilated area and require some safety precautions. Although gas is cheap and therefore an economical heating system, it is not suitable for bedrooms.
4 - Fan heater
These are perhaps the most economical heating system to purchase, with devices available from €10.
However, the price is proportional to their effectiveness, meaning they are not very useful for those who really need to heat their home. Quite cheap, they are mainly suitable for occasional heating of a small area.
They are lightweight, portable, and easy to install—just plug them in—but they take some time to heat up.
5 - Convectors
They are more expensive than fan heaters, but equally portable and lightweight, despite their larger size.
They also have the advantage of being quieter and allowing heat to spread more quickly and effectively throughout the room.
6 - Fireplaces
The wood-burning fireplace is the best-known heating system and also the one we most often associate with a warm home. If your home has one, that's perfect, otherwise you'll have to do some work and deal with the associated costs, which may not be worth it. But if you prefer to combine design with sustainability, bioethanol fireplaces may be the solution. There are models that can be hung, built-in, and others that can simply be placed on the floor and easily installed.
They use an eco-friendly fuel made from agricultural waste, do not emit gases or odors, and do not require an exhaust system.
Prices start at €60, but some models can cost hundreds of euros. These fireplaces, like traditional ones, only heat the room where they are installed.
7 - Heat recovery units
They retain more heat than traditional fireplaces and can be installed using the same air outlets and inlets.
They can use wood or pellets as fuel. The biggest disadvantage is the cost of installation.
8 - Stoves
They are fashionable and have increasingly appealing designs, meaning that they are no longer just a form of heating but also part of the décor. They use various types of fuel, such as gas, wood, or pellets, and there are dual-fuel models that use the gas released by the wood as fuel. Pellet stoves are a very eco-friendly and clean option, as they use fuel obtained through recycling.
9 - Other options (installation required)
If you are building or remodeling a house, you can also consider solutions such as central heating, boilers, solar panels, or water central heating recovery systems.
These are heating systems that have installation costs, but will provide you with comfort and sustainability without the need to purchase other equipment to heat your home later on.
Now that you know the many options for keeping your home warm, it's time to choose the most economical heating system that suits your needs.
Source: Ekonomista