http://www.frugalyankee.com/node/618 Comments for "FRUGAL REPORT: Alternative Heating" en http://www.frugalyankee.com/node/618 <!-- google_ad_section_start --><p><font color="green"><center><b>HEAT: WHAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN</center></b><font color="black"><img src="http://www.frugalyankee.com/files/FrugalReport.jpg" align="right" width="180" height="100" hspace="10"></p> <p>With winter fast approaching and even though the price of heating oil has moderated, many people are taking a close look at some alternatives. This article will not discuss solar, geothermal or wind, but rather wood, wood pellets, space heaters and some other relatively simple methods of heating your home.<br /> <img src="http://www.frugalyankee.com/files/fireplace_screen01.jpg" align="left" width="180" height="120" hspace="10"><br /> Starting with a regular fireplace, its energy efficiency is remarkably low, around 25%. A well tuned, oil fired furnace usually runs around 80%.  Further, the strong draft in a fireplace draws heated air from the rest of your house and sends it up the chimney making only warm right near the fireplace.  You can improve the heating potential by installing a glass enclosure, but it’s never going to be an efficient source of home heating. <br />  </p> <!-- google_ad_section_end --><p><a href="http://www.frugalyankee.com/node/618">read more</a></p> http://www.frugalyankee.com/node/618#comment Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:36:22 -0500 Garen Daly 618 at http://www.frugalyankee.com