Are you struggling to figure out the best way to heat your home this winter? Do not worry you are not alone! As technology continues to advance drastically the options can seem limitless. We believe every home and homeowner are different and there are huge pros and cons to the many different options. We have delved into the topic below by dividing the options into fuel sources and investigating the methods involved with each different fuel type. Furthermore, we have broken out the styles of heating that include ducted forced air, ductless forced air, radiant heat.

The old tried and true method! Wood is used in fireplaces, stoves and even furnaces/boilers! Fireplaces can create a beautiful ambiance but may not be the most efficient way to heat.  These systems can be much more expensive to run than other methods. The biggest downside to wood systems is the amount of labour involved.  The labour associated with prepping, maintaining and feeding wood fired systems is often the reason people steer away from this more antiquated technology. Environmentally this is the least friendly and least sustainable heating source.

Far and away the most economical way to heat your home in the Ottawa area. If you live in an area that has natural gas available, chances are you and your neighbors are utilizing natural gas. Historically, natural gas is the lowest cost per BTU in Ontario and is very convenient to use.  Homeowners may look to move away from natural gas due to the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels as well as the rising costs of natural gas.

Rural areas surrounding Ottawa tend to utilize propane to heat their homes.  Much like natural gas it is convenient as a delivery company can fill your tanks and as a homeowner it is as easy as turning on the thermostat. Propane bills can be prohibitive as the fuel source is much more expensive than natural gas. Furthermore, running out of propane in the middle of the winter is a common occurrence and can be very nerve wracking.  We see many propane users slowly transitioning to heat pump technology to offset rising propane costs.

Fuel oil was a very popular heating source for many decades throughout Canada.  Over the years many people transitioned to natural gas or propane due to the higher efficiencies available with these style furnaces.  Oil furnaces tend to be less efficient and are often described by technicians as “a dirtier” alternative to natural gas.  Oil burning by products are worse for the environment than natural gas or propane.  Furthermore, oil is not a cheap fuel source for homeowners and historically costs more per BTU than other options.

Heating your home using strictly electrical sources is becoming more and more popular. By far the most environmentally sustainable method of the sources we have discussed. Ontario has lagged behind other provinces due to the historically prohibitive price of electricity. With technological advancements (discussed below), electrical heating is becoming a popular and viable option.  Once again, natural gas heat tends to be more economical to operate.  Homeowners must decide the balance between being environmentally friendly and higher operational costs.

For many homeowners, hybrid systems create the perfect balance between environmental stability and operational costs.  Technically, a hybrid system is any heating option that combines two of the above fuel sources. That being said, the most common hybrid system is one that combines electric heating with another fuel source.  Items such as electric heat pumps paired with gas, propane or oil furnaces allow the home to utilize electricity as a heat source for the majority of the year and a fuel when temperatures get very low.

Since there are so many different methods and combinations of heating, it is always advisable to discuss with a professional. In home estimates from AirZone are always free, allow one of our expert designers to discuss the best options for you or your home!