Most of us have normal gas, coal or combined heating. Of course, there is an electric way to heat the room, but it is not very common due to the high cost of electricity. But what if the heat is suddenly turned off, a malfunction in the pipe, blackouts, etc.? Do not freeze in the winter! Of course not, because in this case alternative sources of heat come to the rescue. This is a required attribute in an extreme or even catastrophic situation. Let's talk about everything in more detail.
Gas and electric heating
We can say with confidence that today is an extremely turbulent and difficult time for many. Anything can happen to the gas main. For example, a major accident is resolved long enough, and if there are no alternative delivery routes, then people will freeze. As for the electric option, then, firstly, it is expensive, and secondly, it is not very reliable. This is due to possible network congestion when connecting a large number of consumers. Nevertheless, gas and electricity are today the main sources of heat. All we can do is protect ourselves by installing emergency equipment. Sometimes you can make alternative sources of heat with your own hands, we'll talk about this a bit later.
Solid and liquid fuel boilers
These are perhaps the two most common solutions to date. This is due to the high availability of equipment. Of course, the complexity of installation work makes itself felt, but the cost of solid fuel (coal, firewood, etc.) is quite reasonable. But it is necessary to think about such a heat source in advance and install it together with gas equipment. Of course, the water system can be carried out in parallel with the electroconvector, so, in fact, it is better to do so. As for liquid boilers, this is a good solution, but in recent years the popularity of this method of heating is getting lower. This is due to higher fuel costs. The latter is vegetable and engine oil, and mining is also suitable. If you work in a production facility where dozens or even hundreds of such fuel are poured every day, then it's time to think about this issue. Such alternative sources of heat for the home are extremely relevant, especially if there are oil reserves. Let's go further.
Do-it- yourself alternative heat sources made easy
Sometimes we ourselves can make something for heating. The easiest option is a potbelly stove. Most often, a barrel or a steel pipe of large diameter is used as the body. Two openings are made in the body, one more - a firebox, the second less - an ash pan. It is advisable to make the door. A little lower than the level of the furnace door, you need to make brackets on which the grate will be placed. The latter can be made of conventional reinforcement by welding. If you are making a potbelly stove from a pipe, you need to brew the upper and lower parts. But do not forget that you need a chimney. To do this, a small hole is cut from above, and a pipe is inserted into it. In fact, such alternative heat sources , made with their own hands , are quite capable of heating a large room in the cold season. Coal or firewood is used as fuel. Do not forget that you need to connect to the chimney.
Long burning furnaces
This heating option has become more common over the past few years. This is due not only to good advertising, but also to the high efficiency of the method. The bottom line is that there are two stages of fuel combustion. On the first, decay and evolution of wood gas occurs, and on the second, the combustion of the latter occurs. As a result, we have quite effective, but at the same time economical heating. But you need to carefully monitor the humidity of the fuel. If this indicator is higher than normal, then the amount of heat transferred will not be so large, sometimes such fuel will not even smolder. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to storage. It is better to give preference to a garage or any other indoor dry room. The leaders in the production of long-burning furnaces with an air or water circuit are Breneran (Canada) and Buleryan. In principle, such alternative heat sources for an apartment should not be ignored. Moreover, sometimes this is the only solution available.
Heat pumps - alternative heat sources for a private house
Many did not even hear about this method of heating the room. But today, if we consider alternative sources of heat, this is one of the best options. This is due not only to high efficiency, but also to safety. The bottom line is that the heat collected from the soil or water is transferred to the heating system. In summer, the reverse principle (cooling the building) is most often used. As you can see, one heat pump allows you to solve several problems. In winter it is a heating system, in summer - air conditioning. As for efficiency, the cost of heating will be about 10% lower than for gas. But often the problem lies in the fact that not everyone can afford heat pumps, because this is expensive equipment that requires accurate professional installation. Yes, and this system is too dependent on electricity, so it does not make much sense when there are problems with electricity.
Install TEK or fireplace
The hydrodynamic installation (heating), also known as TEK, is a new source of alternative space heating. The design of the installation includes an expansion tank (hydraulic accumulator), a pump and an electric pump. The principle of operation is based on the release of energy from two streams of water that collide with each other when they enter the tank. Often, it simply connects to the heating system of an apartment or house and does not require the installation of additional equipment, such as a circulation pump, a mechanical filter, etc.
As for such a solution as installing a fireplace, it is not accessible to everyone. But if you live on the top floor or the building has a chimney, then you will not have problems. Of course, this is quite an expensive pleasure and requires a lot of space indoors. But in return you will get excellent heating. In principle, these are the most popular alternative sources of heat for a summer residence, where there is a lot of space and there is an opportunity to independently make a chimney. The main thing is to properly work out the air heating system so that air flows pass through the entire room.
Heliosystems Overview
Solar systems, despite their complexity, are quite popular. But if their use in apartments is difficult, then for a summer house or a country house this is just what you need. Such a heat source consists of a solar collector (vacuum). A collector is installed on the roof, where it collects the energy of the sun. When the rays hit its surface, the room is heated. It is noteworthy that the system works even at subzero temperatures or cloudy weather. But do not forget that it is extremely important to monitor the condition of the plates, to clean them from snow, leaves, etc. Since the thermal energy as a result enters the heat exchanger, it is used for heating and water heating for household needs. But in places where the sun is almost never there, it is impractical to install such systems.
So what to choose
We have examined the bulk of alternative heat sources. As you can see, there are a lot of them. But what you establish is up to you. So, solar systems are preferable in the southern and central regions, and in the north they are practically useless to mount. A fireplace is suitable for a country house, and it is better to put a slow combustion stove in the apartment . The best alternative sources of heat for the garage are potbelly stoves, since here you can burn off the oil, without worrying about the specific smell.
Conclusion
That, in principle, is all that can be told on this topic. The choice is very large, you must be guided not only by your own preferences, but also soberly assess your financial capabilities, as well as the appropriateness of a choice. If you come to the cottage a couple of times a year, it hardly makes sense to install a solar system there, which is equivalent to installing a potbelly stove in an apartment renovated. Of course, the decision is yours, but do it deliberately and first of all think about safety, and also about not freezing in difficult times.