Unconventional heating. Reasons for the introduction of alternative heating

What is alternative heating? How does it happen, what can serve as a source of thermal energy? Is it possible to install alternative heating of a private house with your own hands?

Let's try to figure it out.

What it is

Under this name, when it is used in the press, it traditionally means all the ways to heat housing that were not used twenty or thirty years ago. Geothermal heat sources, film underfloor heating, biofuels, and infrared heaters are thrown into a common heap.

Within the framework of the article, however, we will allow ourselves to interpret the term much more narrowly.

We are interested in alternative home heating, which:

1. It uses renewable sources of thermal energy as heat, for which there is no need to pay sellers of the corresponding services or goods. Alternatively, at least part of the thermal energy is taken from renewable sources.
2. Can be implemented at reasonable cost. At least - incomparable with the cost of the house itself.

Why is it needed

The reason why alternative heating systems of a private house are attracting attention is simple and understandable: rising energy prices and, accordingly, electricity. Solarium, gas, coal are steadily becoming more expensive.

Useful: main gas is now cheaper than other types of heating. But it continues to rise in price. Its reserves are limited, so the trend will continue and intensify in the coming years.

Well ... do not consider the author an idealist, but still it is barbaric to burn fossil fuels or trees to heat the small interior space of your house. In this sense, alternative types of heating are not just cost-effective. They are progressive.

Implementation Options

solar systems

Solar energy is used to heat homes in two ways:

1. By transforming into electricity, which can then be used to operate heaters.
2. For direct heating of the coolant, natural circulation or circulation pump then run through radiators or convectors.
   The simplest do-it-yourself alternative heating is exactly (often home-made), a circulation pump and a radiator in the house.

The peculiarity of solar systems is obvious: sunny days even in the Crimea Central Asia are still overcast. No one canceled the night either. If so, they are unsuitable as permanent heat sources.

What implementation options are possible?

• works in parallel with the electric heater. The coolant temperature is controlled by sensors; when it falls below a certain level in cloudy weather, the heaters are heated.
• it is supplied not only with a controller and an inverter that generates a mains voltage of +12 or +24 volts DC, but also with a high-capacity battery.
  During daylight hours, solar panels store energy in batteries; Batteries serve as a source of power at night or on cloudy days. With the appropriate area of ​​the photocells and the capacity of the batteries, it is possible to realize a completely energy-autonomous system.
  But here we are in for an unpleasant surprise: we are limited by the level of available storage technologies electrical energy. Best Samples batteries will live in such a system for no more than five years, and the cost of replacing them will be quite comparable to the cost of electricity purchased from energy companies during this period.
• Finally, the simplest solution that saves electrical energy (and heat) can easily be implemented by hand.
  Alternative heating apartment or private house (or rather, to be precise, power supply) in this case is a solar panel with a controller and an inverter, which is connected in parallel to any outlet, and electric heaters any type.

Nuance: you need a mechanical, disk counter. Electronic ones are not able to register the reverse direction of the current. In sunny weather, when the photovoltaic cells generate more electricity than you spend on heating, the meter simply counts down the kilowatt-hours in the opposite direction. The savings are more than tangible.

Wind energy

For the production of thermal energy, energy that is generated by a windmill can also be used.. Industrial products are sold in bulk and cost quite reasonable money.

The only obvious feature of this solution is big size impellers. At a 4-kilowatt wind generator, it reaches ten meters.

All the problems of accumulating electrical energy for heating, typical for solar systems, fully apply to wind turbines.

• It is clear that wind-powered alternative heating country house can be implemented only in those regions that are characterized by constant moderate winds - primarily in the steppes and on the coasts.
• In addition, if the collector can use solar energy directly to heat the coolant, then the transformation of the mechanical energy of the windmill rotation into electricity is inevitable here, and only then into heating the air in the room. Which, as you might guess, means a decrease in the efficiency of the system.

Heat pumps

Finally, the most versatile alternative central heating are heat pumps. The principle of operation of all devices of this type is the same: the transfer of thermal energy from a low-potential source to the house. Simply put, the pump takes heat from a cold object and gives it to a hot one.

This is how heat pumps of all types work. The difference between them is in the source of low-grade heat.

All heat pumps are based on the same simple system that can be seen by disassembling any refrigerator: a compressor, a heat exchanger and an evaporator. But the specific implementation can vary greatly, giving a large variation in the cost of the solution.

ground water

Ground-to-water heat pumps are the most versatile in terms of climate zone alternative sources of heating of a country house. The principle of their operation is based on the fact that even in areas of permafrost at a depth of several tens of meters, the soil temperature is consistently above zero.

Accordingly, heat exchangers that take heat from the ground are probes immersed in wells. The length of the highways is tens of meters; in addition to the high cost of heat pump, the price of its installation is impressive.

The cost of drilling one well is estimated at 1500 - 2000 rubles per running meter; Several wells are being drilled. But you still need to mount the pump itself and immerse the probes ...

It is somewhat cheaper, however, to install a ground-to-water heat pump with horizontal arrangement collector. Heat exchangers are buried in trenches below the freezing level. The flip side of this decision is big square needed to install the pump.

The resulting heat is used to heat water, which is used for household needs and to transfer heat to heating devices.

water-water

If at shallow depths in your area there are flowing ground water- The cost of the project for you will decrease dramatically.

At running water much easier to take away the heat we need:

1. You can get by with one submersible heat exchanger probe;
2. The drilling depth can be limited to 10-15 meters.

Air to water

In an air-to-water heat pump, the heat source is outdoor air. Heat exchanger - a radiator with an impressive fin area; it is blown by a low-speed fan.

Such pumps have a much more democratic cost compared to the previous ones and are much cheaper to install. However, when the temperature drops outside, their efficiency also drops dramatically: it is more difficult to take away thermal energy from cold air.

The COP parameter is the ratio between consumption and heat output. You can see how it changes at temperatures from +7 to -15.

Air to air

Finally, listing alternative sources of heating at home, one cannot fail to mention the absolute champion in terms of the cheapness of the project - an air-to-air heat pump. The simplest example of such a device is a conventional split system in heating mode.

Due to the fact that electricity is not spent on heating the air, but on the operation of a compressor pumping heat from the street, heating with an air conditioner is much more economical than a conventional heater.

The best examples of inverters (using inverse conversion alternating current 5 kW of heat is pumped into the house for every kilowatt of electricity consumed and back to change the speed of the compressor) of air conditioners.

Inverters from a decent manufacturer cost up to a thousand dollars with installation and are capable of operating at outdoor temperatures down to -25C.

An inverter air conditioner is the perfect solution for a temperate climate.

Conclusion

Of course, we have not listed all alternative ways heating. Perhaps useful to you Additional information you will be able to extract from the video at the end of the article. Warm winters!

In the desire to cause as little damage to the environment as possible and reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy resources, many homeowners are considering alternative heating as a source for heating their home in winter period time. At the moment, homeowners have access to a variety of alternative heating sources that use solar energy, fuel pellets, wood briquettes, geothermal pumps, etc. in the process of generating heat.

Such systems are not only safe for environment, but also provide a number of advantages to home owners - they do not involve the use of products from the gas, oil or energy industries and reduce monthly heating costs. To find out which home heating alternative is the most acceptable and profitable, you should familiarize yourself with the specifics of each heating system available on the market today.

Currently, alternative types of heating are represented by a variety of devices, among which there is a geothermal pump that allows you to efficiently generate heat in houses located in temperate climate zone. According to the principle of operation, a geothermal system is similar to a standard home heating scheme - for its operation it is necessary for the circulation of the coolant, however, the key element of such a system is not a boiler, but a geothermal pump. Like a traditional gas boiler, this appliance is compact in size and does not take up much space in the house.

The efficiency of the pump is impressive - with one kilowatt of electricity consumed, it generates five kilowatts of heat.

The principle of operation of the geothermal system is that the heat exchanger is placed in the thickness of the earth or in the thickness of thermal waters, and the coolant circulating in it takes on the ambient temperature. Next, the heated coolant enters the heat pump and then is fed into the circuit, giving off heat to the room.

This alternative heating method is silent, safe and very efficient. In this case, the heat source for the system geothermal heating serves as a never-ending resource that is available at any given time. Among the shortcomings this method there are such nuances as the complexity of installation, the high cost of equipment, labor intensity land works, therefore, making geothermal alternative heating sources with your own hands will be quite problematic and you will have to resort to the help of geodesy specialists.

Use of solar energy

Solar heating alternatives can be active or passive. Passive solar heating relies on the use of special elements in the building structure to collect and store energy. Projects for the construction of such houses provide for the placement large windows on the south side of the facade, as well as the presence of surfaces inside the house to absorb and preserve solar energy. Such absorbing surfaces can be concrete walls and floors and other heat-saving materials in the construction of the house. They collect heat and store it for later use.

Active heating systems of a private house are alternative, they provide for the presence of complex and expensive equipment - solar collectors, heat exchangers, tanks and elements for controlling energy collection, parabolic solar steam boiler, etc. During operation, active systems solar heating rely on the use of electricity to power certain elements.

Both heating systems are quite efficient and use 100% renewable solar energy as the heat source.

They can be used for heating and hot water supply of houses. Benefits of this type heating, it is worth noting the absence of harmful emissions, environmental friendliness, stability of work, reduction of monthly heating costs. Disadvantages are also present and lie in the high cost of equipment and the complexity of its installation in the house.

Boilers using renewable energy sources

In contrast to the systems listed above, which are distinguished by a complex structure and high price, heating a private house with a wood-burning boiler can become affordable and effective option home heating for a wide range of rational and economical owners. At the moment, wood heating of a country house is a good alternative to traditional gas boilers, the use of which implies the inevitable receipt of solid gas bills every month. And you can find out how to organize heating at home without gas.

At the same time, the owners of the house who have chosen this heating option can buy firewood for heating at an affordable price or prepare it themselves and achieve even more impressive savings. You can buy wood-fired boilers for home heating, prices for which depend on the chosen model, in a store or on the manufacturer's website. When choosing a boiler, you should pay attention to its specification.

The following indicators are of decisive importance:

It is worth noting that firewood is not the only type of fuel that boilers can run on. In particular, alternative heating boilers can use sawdust, peat briquettes, pellets, fuel pellets as a combustible fuel. Such materials are much cheaper than gas and liquid fuels, such as fuel oil. In addition, they can be produced in any country and do not require the establishment of supplies from other countries.

Renewable wood-fired boilers can be used as primary or supplementary heat sources in the home, and the owner can choose the model that best complements the existing system heating and make it more rational and economical.

prospects

Competition among companies involved in the production and sale of alternative heating systems motivates manufacturers to establish more and more affordable prices to attract customers. The authorities of states that do not have their own sources of oil and gas and depend on export supplies of fuel are also interested in using alternative heating. Therefore, it is likely that in the coming years, the installation of alternative heating systems in the house will become commonplace, and homeowners will be able to take advantage of the operation of an environmentally friendly system that is qualitatively different from traditional heat sources.

The modern term "alternative" is borrowed from the Latin language ( alternatus– other) for the need to select from several possibilities or to indicate each of these considered possibilities.

Energy sources for heating

The traditional way

Traditional methods of heating an apartment or a private house require the arrangement of a heating system, which includes:

• a heat source that converts the energy of fuel combustion or the energy of network electricity into thermal energy;
• a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from an energy carrier to a heat carrier, for the subsequent distribution of heat to heat consumption points;
• a closed pipeline circuit, through which the movement of the coolant is stimulated in a natural or forced way;
• heating devices that distribute heat from the coolant to the environment of the room.

The figure below shows the structure of a heating system with a boiler as a heat source and heat consumption points in the form of radiators and underfloor heating.

The structure of the traditional heating system of a private house

disadvantages

For most types heating systems The sources of thermal energy are heating boilers. They burn gas, liquid or solid fuel in order to use the heat of combustion of fuel to heat the coolant (the so-called gas, liquid fuel and solid fuel boilers).

Another option for heating the coolant in the heat exchanger of the heating boiler is to use the energy of mains electricity ( electric boilers heating).

Each type of boiler and the corresponding energy carrier has certain negative features that affect the efficiency of its use:

1. Gas-fired boilers are widespread due to the availability of gas.

The negative factors accompanying the use of gas for heating are:

• organizational and technical complexity of connecting to the gas pipeline;
• the threat of ignition or explosion in case of violation of the rules for the operation of gas heating equipment or improper installation by one's own hands;
• rising prices for gas resources.

1. Electric boilers are the easiest to install and maintain with your own hands. Most significant shortcomings are:
   

• volatility of equipment - when the power supply is turned off, the flow of heat into the heating system stops;
• high electricity tariffs.

1. Liquid fuel boilers as sources of thermal energy are quite difficult to operate. From the negative, we note the following factors:
   

• the high cost of liquid fuel, the complexity of its delivery and safe storage;
• noise at work
• unpleasant odors when burning fuel.

Home boiler room with oil boiler

1. Solid fuel boilers on coal, peat, wood or pellets impress with the cheapness of fuel resources and energy independence in operation, but they have their drawbacks:
   

• fuel loaded with your own hands into the boiler furnace quickly burns out;
• lack of automation of the fuel loading process;
• the need for constant visual monitoring of the operation of the boiler.

All of the above heating systems have two common drawbacks:

• they operate on non-renewable sources of thermal energy - the fuel is completely burned without the possibility of any recovery;
• the operation of equipment that burns natural resources or uses centrally supplied electricity is accompanied by a constant payment for the volume of energy spent and service providers for its provision.

The picture below shows the shipping liquefied gas for gas heating of the house.

LPG delivery to private house

Nuances that need attention:

1. Such a convenient and familiar heating of a private house by burning non-renewable organic resources leads to a catastrophic decrease in natural fuel reserves for money from our own pocket! Naturally, the prices for fossil fuels will constantly rise.
2. Fuel combustion is accompanied by emissions carbon dioxide and volatile toxic combustion products, with the precipitation of resins and soot.
3. Each consumer of organic fuel is forced to equip additional premises:
   

• for fuel storage;
• for its combustion with the release of combustion products into the atmosphere.

Alternative heating concept

When considering alternative home heating options, you need to decide on the concept itself.

Alternative heat sources for a private house include two fundamentally different types equipment:

1. Devices that operate in addition to a self-installed electrical or gas boiler. For some reason, a boiler running on gas or electricity does not provide full heat for the heating system of the entire building.

The main heating power is provided by the boiler, and during peak periods or off-season, its operation is supported by alternative sources. In this case, alternative heating will be, for example, a do-it-yourself pellet boiler, or a waste-burning unit, and even infrared heaters.

1. Devices that completely replace the boiler on gas, electricity or other traditional energy source. Their heat output is sufficient to provide alternative heating for the home.

The most common alternatives home heating without burning gas and other fossil fuels are technologies that use energy natural resources- heat from the bowels of the earth, geysers, sunlight and climatic processes - wind, ocean tide.

House equipped with solar panels

Modern methods of heating

The practical implementation of projects on the use of the energy of natural resources and phenomena as an alternative source of heat for heating a home most widely affects:

1. energy of sunlight (solar thermal systems);
2. wind energy (wind energy);
3. energy of warm earth interiors (geothermal pumps).

Mark two options practical application natural energy for the needs of alternative heating of a private house:

• transformation of the energy of a natural phenomenon into electrical energy, which will then be used to autonomous heating, that is, heating the house from its own internal source of electricity;
• direct heating of the working coolant of the heating system.

Solar system

When arranging solar heating systems with their own hands, both options for solar radiation are used:

1. Converting sunlight energy into electrical energy using solar panels.

It is customary to call solar batteries a group of semiconductor photoelectronic converters combined in one common module to generate electricity. Several solar modules create a circuit to provide a private home a certain amount electricity.

The power of each solar module can range from 50 to 300 watts. The figure below shows the principle of use solar panels for alternative autonomous heating of the building.

Scheme of heating a house using solar panels

The principle of operation of the solar system:

• from the solar module, the converted luminous flux enters the battery pack;
• batteries generate direct current, which is sent to the inverter;
• in the inverter, the direct current is converted into alternating current, which is used to heat the heating elements in the heating system.
  

Solar panels can only generate electricity. They do not create thermal energy, do not transform and do not accumulate. They work equally effectively on a frosty day or at a positive ambient temperature, since the intensity of the incident solar flux is important to them.

1. Use of solar collectors for direct water heating.

In private housing construction, do-it-yourself installation of solar collectors for alternative heating is more popular than installation of solar panels. Collectors convert solar light fluxes directly into thermal energy, bypassing the formation of electricity.

Do-it-yourself collectors for heating have a wide variety designs which can be divided into two types:

• flat-plate collectors, consisting of absorbers - elements that absorb sunlight (in the simplest case - metal plates or black sheets) connected to a piping system;
• pipe collectors assembled from glass tubes, inside of which a steel absorber is inserted.

The figure below shows one of the do-it-yourself options for making a solar collector with copper tubes placed in the absorber for heating the coolant.

A coolant with a minimum crystallization threshold is pumped into the tubes. AT middle lane Russia is recommended to use a 60% aqueous solution of propylene glycol with a crystallization onset temperature of -39 0 C.

solar collector from copper tubes

Both types of collector systems are mounted on the sloping part of the roof of the house. The figure below shows the principle of heating a building using a collector.

The coolant heated in the solar collector (red line) enters the buffer tank, which acts as a heat accumulator and automated system maintaining the temperature in the heating and hot water circuits.

If there is a lack of incoming heat on cloudy days, the water in the buffer tank is heated by another available source heat, for example, water from a gas boiler, which is the main heat source of the heating system.

Thanks to automation, the temperature in the heating system is constantly monitored. At night, the lack of solar heat is compensated by connecting a heating element to maintain a comfortable temperature level.

The principle of operation of the heating system from the solar collector

home wind power

Usage kinetic energy air currents for the needs of heating a private house is carried out in two directions:

1. Converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy by rotating the rotor of special wind generators.

The resulting electricity is stored in batteries and, as needed, through inverters (similar to solar heating technology) is used to heat water in the heating system. In calm weather, heating devices are connected to the general electrical network.

1. Converting the energy of the rotating rotor of a windmill into thermal energy for direct heating of the coolant using vortex heat generators VTG.

The dominant method in private housing construction is the manufacture and installation of devices consisting of a windmill, a generator and a battery to generate their own electricity. The design captivates with its simplicity and the possibility of self-assembly.

Differ among themselves wind generators according to the following indicators:

• the location of the axis of rotation - vertical or horizontal;
• number of propeller blades;
• screw pitch.

The figure below shows a house equipped with wind turbines with a horizontal axis of rotation.

Wind turbines for power supply of a private house

Geothermal (heat) pumps

Devices that can use the geothermal energy of the earth's interior allow owners of private houses to significantly save on gas or other types of fuel when heating their homes. Thermal energy is extracted directly from the depths of the earth or from the bottom of a reservoir using a device called a heat pump.

The principle of operation of a heat pump is similar to that of refrigeration plant using freon:

• when liquid freon passes through pipes at a considerable depth in a reservoir or in a drilled well, in which a positive temperature is maintained even in winter, freon begins to evaporate, turning into a gaseous state;
• the gaseous phase of freon rises up and enters the compressor, which compresses it strongly;
• when gas is compressed in a limited volume, it is heated up to 80 degrees C;
• freon is cooled in the heat exchanger;
• in the throttle chamber, due to a decrease in temperature and pressure, freon again turns into a liquid;
• the cycle is repeated.

Heat pumps are energy-dependent units, however, the energy consumption for the operation of the device is disproportionately lower than would be required for direct electric heating coolant.

The temperature of the coolant in the heating system with geothermal devices does not exceed 50 degrees, which is not enough for radiator heating, but for "warm floors" - quite enough.

Heat pumps structurally differ in the technology of heating freon until it passes into a gaseous state. Depending on the source of "low-level heat" emit:

• water installations for obtaining heat from surface reservoirs or underground groundwater;
• earthen, "taking away" heat from the ground;
• air.

When classifying geothermal devices, the type of coolant in the heating system is also taken into account - water or air. Accordingly, the devices receive the designations "soil - water", "soil - air", "water - water", etc.

Video about heating

How to organize economical heating at home with your own hands, is described in the video below.

The logic of switching to alternative heating is not only about saving Money to buy gas or pay electricity bills.

Of course, non-renewable energy prices are skyrocketing. But how can one not recall the words of D. Mendeleev, who said: “Burning oil is the same as heating the stove with banknotes”?

It is unreasonable to burn tons of coal or tens of cubic meters of wood for the sake of heating a modest room and at the same time cause irreparable damage to the purity of the surrounding ecology.

In many countries, alternative types of heating and energy supply for an individual residential building are superior in demand traditional ways heating. The heating equipment market is filled with innovative alternative heating devices, the range of which is constantly expanding.

Air-to-water heat pump

In contact with

In most cases, for the operation of heat supply are used traditional views energy sources: firewood, coal, gas, electricity, diesel fuel. However, along with them, other sources of thermal energy have also been used - solar radiation and geothermal systems. How to make an alternative heating of a private house with your own hands and what should be taken into account when completing and drawing up an installation diagram?

Features of alternative home heating

For the operation of any heat supply, a source of thermal energy is needed. For this, all types of fuel are used. But alternative heating of a country house works on a different principle. Heating of the coolant occurs due to the influence of solar energy or the temperature difference in the soil.

At first glance, alternative types of heating a private house are the most efficient and financially economical. Their efficiency is rarely below 98%. However, in fact, the use of alternative energy sources is associated with the following difficulties:

• Dependence on weather factors. This is especially true for solar collectors;
• Relatively little power. This must be taken into account if it will be the only source of heat;
• High cost of equipment;
• The complexity of installation and further maintenance.

Why, given these factors, do they make alternative heating with their own hands? In addition to them, one must take into account the main positive moment– low maintenance costs. In fact, they are expressed only in the consumption of electricity required for operation. pumping equipment and electronic control units.

The feasibility of installing alternative heating for a private house with your own hands should be calculated first. For this, a number of important factors inherent in each alternative heat supply system should be taken into account. Therefore, before purchasing and installing equipment, it is recommended that you carefully familiarize yourself with the features of its operation and technical characteristics.

In practice, this do-it-yourself alternative heating is highly dependent on current weather conditions. So, at a rated power of 600 W / m² in sunny weather, the following deterioration in heat transfer occurs:

• White clouds in the sky - 200-100 W / m²;
• Dark gray or gray clouds - 50-70 200-100 W / m².

Such conditions will not allow us to consider solar systems as the basis of an alternative type of heating for a private cottage. Therefore, they are installed as auxiliary, or to provide hot water in the summer.

In addition to these components, when choosing this method of alternative heating of the cottage, it is necessary to install pumping system. Its power depends on the volume of the coolant and the duration of the line.

During installation of the solar system, the angle of inclination of the panel must be observed. It depends on specific model, its area and pipe design.

Arrangement of alternative heating

Having chosen the optimal scheme for alternative heating of a private house, you can proceed with its installation. To do this, it is best to use the services of specialized companies. Moreover, in many cases, the warranty for equipment applies only if it was installed by representatives of the selling organization.

Much easier installation alternative heating boilers. They are mounted in an existing piping system. However, for correct operation select the appropriate heat transfer fluid electrode boilers) and set its heating mode.

In general, the installation technology largely depends on the type of alternative heat supply and the specific model of the heating installation. But in addition to this, you need to take into account such factors:

• Minimization of heat losses through the use of modern thermal insulation materials. This is especially true for geothermal heating;
• Mandatory availability of an uninterruptible power supply (diesel or gasoline generator), as well as a current stabilizer;
• Installation automated control heating system.

Following these simple advice and carefully studied specifications alternative heat supply, you can significantly save on costs.

In the video you can see an example of making a solar system with your own hands:

Traditionally, a private house is heated by a gas boiler. But what if the site is not connected to the gas main? Or there are interruptions in the gas supply and you want to have insurance for this case? Or you just want to reduce dependence on gas and the state.

In this case, it is necessary to consider the option of alternative heating of the house. And then we will analyze what can be used. What devices will serve full replacement gas boiler and provide heating without gas, and which can only be used as a supplement.

What is an alternative heat source

Since the house is traditionally heated by a gas boiler, by alternative heating of the house we will mean any heater which does not run on gas.

When it's relevant

1. You do not have the opportunity to connect to the gas network or it is too expensive;
2. You want to reduce dependence on gas and have insurance in case of severe frosts or interruptions in its supply;
3. To save on heating. Combining and properly managing heat sources will reduce your heating costs.

Types of alternative energy sources

Conventionally, alternative heat sources are divided into two types:

1. Which work in addition to the boiler. For various reasons, they are not able to fully provide the building with heat. The main heating capacity is covered by a gas boiler, while other sources support its operation during peak loads or off-season.
2. Which replace gas boiler. These are those heat sources that are able to generate enough heating power to heat the building.

Consider which devices can be used in each case.

Heat pump

Collectors are ideal for hot water heating in summer, spring and autumn. And in winter they can only be used to support heating.

Fireplace with water circuit

Such a fireplace is a combination of a traditional fireplace and solid fuel boiler: it is installed indoors and connected to common system heating. Inside the fireplace there is a container with water, which heats up during the burning of firewood. Due to this, you not only heat the air in the room, but also heat the water in the heating system, which then enters the radiators, floor heating or storage tank.

Theoretically, it could be an alternative gas heating. But since it does not have an automatic fuel supply and new firewood needs to be thrown in every 2-4 hours, you should not count on it much. If firewood is not added in time, the fire will go out and the house will cool down.

Therefore, such a fireplace should be considered as an addition to the main source of heat.

Conventional air fireplaces

Conventional fireplaces are cheaper and easier to install. For it, it is not necessary to pre-supply a pipe, install a storage tank and provide for thermal protection. It is enough just to allocate a place and build a chimney.

The fireplace only heats the air around it. And to increase its efficiency, you can conduct air channels from the fireplace to each room. Due to this, the fireplace will heat not only the room in which it is installed, but also other rooms where air channels are laid.

The difficulties with an ordinary fireplace are the same: it will not replace a gas boiler, firewood will also have to be regularly thrown up and monitored for combustion. It's a great extra and alternative heat source, but not more.

Pellet fireplace

A pellet fireplace also only heats the air around it. But it has two important advantages:

• It is not necessary to have a chimney in advance. For such a fireplace, a small diameter pipe is needed, which is led into the wall, and not through all the floors of the building.
• There is an automatic fuel supply. That is, you do not need to constantly monitor combustion. It is enough just to maintain the supply of fuel pellets in the bunker. Therefore, a pellet fireplace will do just fine. alternative heating without gas. But from a practical point of view, this is inconvenient: the fireplace is effective locally and heats only the room in which it is installed. It is impossible to use heat on a scale of the whole house.

Of the shortcomings:

• You need access to high-quality pellets that will not clog the burner with soot and burn well.

Air conditioners

Air conditioning - the most affordable and simple alternative home heating source. You can install one powerful on the entire floor or one in each room.

Most best option air conditioner use late spring or early autumn when it is still not too cold outside and the gas boiler can not be started yet. This will reduce gas consumption at the expense of electricity and not exceed the monthly rate of gas consumption.

Important points:

• The boiler and air conditioner must be linked to each other to work in pairs. That is, the boiler must see that the air conditioner is working and not turn on while the room is warm. Here you can not do without a wall thermostat.
• Heating with electricity is not cheaper than gas. Therefore, you should not completely switch to heating with air conditioners.
• Not all air conditioners can be used at zero and frost.

Hidden heat leaks of a private house

To be less dependent on gas, you need to work on the energy efficiency of the building. Read about possible hidden heat leaks in a private home.

1. which you may not be aware of.
2. that make your home colder.

Personal experience

I use four heat sources to heat my house: a gas boiler (main), a fireplace with a water circuit, six flat-plate solar collectors and an inverter air conditioner.

Why is it needed

1. Have a second (reserve) source of heat if the gas boiler fails or its capacity becomes insufficient (severe frosts).
2. Save on heating. Due different sources heat, you can control the monthly and annual rate of gas consumption so as not to switch to a more expensive tariff.

Some statistics

The average gas consumption in January 2016 is 12 cubic meters per day. With a heated area of ​​200m 2 and an additional basement.

Fluctuations in consumption by day during the month are associated with different outdoor temperatures and the presence of the sun: on sunny days, collectors work, and gas consumption decreases.

findings

Heating without gas possibly. Some heat sources serve as a full-fledged replacement for a gas boiler, while others can only be used in addition. For convenience, let's combine everything in a table:

There are other alternative ways to heat a building that are not included in the list: stoves, buleryans, electric boilers and other heating devices.

And, of course, it is important to remember that installing other heat sources is not the only way to save gas and reduce dependence on it. It is necessary to work on improving the overall energy efficiency of the building: to identify and eliminate all heat leaks, to use heat more rationally and to minimize heat losses from the building.

Heating without gas: 7 alternative heat sources for a private house