How to heat the energy-efficient home we all aspire to have

Feel that cold air seeping through cracks or drafty windows? Well, it means your home isn't fully insulated and, as the weather turns to less-than-ideal snowy and windy conditions, those weak points have come screaming to the surface.

You may see more expensive heating bills hit your mailbox as temperatures plummet, especially with high energy costs of electricity, oil, and gas. The goal is to keep money in your pocket, but have you ever considered alternative forms of heating your home like solar power, wind power, and geothermal energy?

While you can prepare financially for rising energy costs, it is also worth exploring sustainable alternatives. In the meantime, consider addressing your home’s problem areas and consider heating your home in a more environmentally friendly way.

We spoke with Professor Jeff Bielicki at Ohio State University, where he is part of the Energy Sustainability Research Laboratory. We discussed various methods for heating homes, including geothermal, solar, electric, wood-burning, gas, wind, and oil.

While it’s essential to acknowledge that there are numerous nuances to any energy conversation, some forms of energy are more beneficial than others. Bielicki suggests that people consider eliminating home heating oil if they still rely on it, which may be more common in rural areas.

Consider transitioning your home to solar power or geothermal energy for heating and cooling

Solar power

These technologies are an efficient way to heat or cool your home. Plus, they are Mother Earth-approved.

Using solar panels, you can create and use your own electricity (opposed to purchasing it through a utility company).

When you install solar panels on your property or roof, they collect sunlight, which is converted into energy for your home.

Bielicki notes, “Solar is a great idea, and, in fact, the Inflation Reduction Act has a lot of incentives for electric vehicles and solar tax credits, reducing the cost of installation.”

Solar is a great source of energy because the fuel (sunlight) is free. However, you can only get that fuel when the sun is shining. You will probably also want to have a battery storage system so you can access the stored energy in the evenings and early mornings, for example.

Bielicki also adds that solar can’t provide all the energy for your home, though; you’ll need another source as well.

Geothermal energy

Another environmentally friendly way to heat your home is by using geothermal heat pumps.

“These are great, too,” says Bielicki. “They’re quite efficient, have lower operating costs, and provide heating and cooling. You’ll need to contact an HVAC company to have a geothermal pump installed, but imagine it as similar to an exterior air conditioner.”

Reviewed’s chief scientist, David Ellerby, PhD, adds, “Geothermal heat pumps either need a lot of land to lay out shallow heat exchange pipes or a very deep drill hole. The geology needs to be right, too.”

Alternatively, if geothermal energy is not an option, Ellerby suggests an air source heat pump. “These are more like an AC unit. They're not quite as efficient as geothermal, but they're still a very good option and there are fewer barriers to installation.”

Wind power

If you’ve been driving down a highway or you’ve passed one of a few major wind farms in California, New Mexico, or Oklahoma, you may be familiar with the towering wind turbine. These harness the wind and use it to create power on a large scale.

While these are ideal for communities at large, wind power is not yet ready for transition to residential purposes. Bielicki says that it’s just not feasible for most homes, although it could be an option for rural areas and farmers.

Is using wood-burning or pellet-burning stoves effective and eco-conscious?

You may think of space heaters as a supplement to your home’s heat or a temporary solution. However, space heaters will use electricity, leading to a higher bill.

Many people also consider installing a freestanding, wood-burning stove or pellet stove if they have the space for one; both are effective heat producers. A pellet stove is less intensive, and it generally doesn’t create as much heat as a wood-burning stove might.

However, homeowners need to account for the smoke and emissions released into the air when burning with pellet and wood stoves. Some scientists warn that “favoring wood could actually boost carbon emissions, not curb them, for many decades, and that wind and solar energy—emissions-free from the start—are a better bet for the climate.”

Scientists also worry that policies promoting wood fuels could unleash a global logging boom that trashes forest biodiversity in the name of climate protection. A number of European environmental groups also warn about the downsides of burning wood, saying that pushing wood as a renewable energy source is misconceived when it comes to climate change mitigation. Burning wood produces more carbon dioxide than burning coal, oil, or gas, and there are concerns about additional air pollution as well.

Increase the energy efficiency of your home by giving it an energy audit

An energy audit provides you with valuable knowledge and information about your home, which can help you increase your energy efficiency. It is specific to your home and can help you find better solutions for what you currently use in terms of heating and insulating your home. This leads to the resolution of inefficiencies and can provide you with rebates for new equipment or repairs.

Best of all, an energy audit is usually free. Find out how you can make an appointment for a home energy audit by consulting the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index, or contacting your local utility provider.

Take small steps in the meantime to lessen your carbon footprint

Use a smart thermostat to regulate your home’s temperature

A smart thermostat is convenient and easy to use. Once you set it up and link it to your network of smart devices, it can automatically adjust as temperatures change. You can also create schedules or set up geofencing to regulate your energy use.

The Google Nest Thermostat is well worth its price and will save you energy in the long run—we know, since we tested it.

Using your smart home network to cut back on energy use as a whole can save you money, too.

Seal and insulate your home to retain heat

One of the quickest ways to heat a space more efficiently is to seal any areas where heat may be escaping. If you notice a draft around windows or as you walk by doors, it’s a sign of inadequate insulation. Make sure windows are closed and locked, so that they’re sealed as tight as possible.

If you still have issues, try using an under-door draft stopper or applying weather stripping around windows. Utilize smart sensors to track and monitor temperatures accurately.

Create humidity

Winter air tends to be dry, leaving you with dry skin, chapped lips, and a home that feels chilly. Heaters contribute to the dry air as well, but humidifiers do the opposite.

“What you feel is a product of the temperature and the dew point. When it’s humid, the feeling is closer to the dew point, so more humid air feels warmer to us,” Bielicki says. “You can change the humidity levels in your house, but you’d need a humidifier and a dehumidifier installed.”

Bielicki warns that you don’t want the humidity in your home to exceed 60%, as this may lead to mold issues. You could try to manipulate the air in your home by running a humidifier more often and your heat less often, though there are pros and cons depending on the energy usage. If you don’t have a humidifier, you may want to consider an alternative option, as using one can increase your electricity usage.