Home Heating Alternatives

Presented by KUTV.Com.

As the weather turns cooler, many of us are cranking up the thermostats. Kristen Calderwood from Home Depot shows us a several options available to warm up our living areas.

Whether you’re heating a small space or large space you can find the right heater for your needs.

Electric Heaters

There are two basic types of electric heaters. Convection heaters provide warmth by blowing or pulling air over a heated surface. These heaters are designed to heat an entire room. Radiant heaters direct heat at an object. These types of heaters radiate warmth almost instantly and are recommended for areas where you need spot heat for one or two people.

Electric fireplace inserts are not only functional source or radiant heat but can also dress up your home. They can be stand alone or wall mounted and range in price from $1,400 to $130.

These beautiful appliances look great in your home but you can also place them outdoors.

“You can put this anywhere,” said Kristen. “You don’t have to worry about gas logs or putting in any gas lines.”

And don’t let the electricity bill scare you. Kristen says it only costs $.10 per hour if you run it with the heat. If you just want the esthetics of a fireplace you can run it without heat for $.03 per hour.

A cheaper radiant heat alternative is the traditional space heater and can be purchased for as low as $15.

Gas Heaters

Another option for additional heating in your home is using a fuel-powered heater. These heaters give off a great deal of heat and come in handy when there is no power, since they don't require electricity. They are especially suited for large spaces, or large areas in need of plenty of warmth from a space heater. They can run off different types of fuel such as diesel, propane or kerosene.

There is also a new type of kerosene on the market. Klean-Heat brand is odorless and puts out less soot and smoke than the regular variety, according to Kristen.

Kristin cautions that you should have a 3-foot wide ventilation opening for every 100,000 BTUs emitted from gas-fueled heaters.

Space Heater Safety

Consumers should be aware of the following hazards when buying and using gas, wood, kerosene, and electric space heaters:

• Fires and burns caused by contact with or close proximity to the flame, heating element, or hot surface area.
• Fires and explosions caused by flammable fuels or defective wiring.
• Indoor air pollution caused by improper venting or incomplete combustion of fuel-burning equipment.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning caused by improper venting of fuel-burning equipment.

For more safety tips visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/463.html

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